An electrochemical aptasensor for Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 antigen detection using bimetallic organic framework

A label-free electrochemical aptasensor is reported for sensitive detection of the 6-kDa early secreted antigenic target (ESAT-6). For the first time, the bimetallic organic framework (b-MOF) of Zr-MOF-on-Ce-MOF was decorated with nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) and applied as the matrix for electroactive toluidine blue (Tb) to form the NG@Zr-MOF-on-Ce-MOF@Tb nanohybrid. The prepared nanohybrid with excellent hydrophilicity, dispersibility, and large specific surface exhibited significant electrochemical response. This nanohybrid could be directly used for anchoring ESAT-6 binding aptamers (EBA) through the interaction between the 5'-phosphate group (PO43-) of EBA and Zr4+ of Zr-MOF. The signal response before and after incubating the ESAT-6 antigen has been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry at a scan rate of 100 mV s(-1) from - 0.7 to 0.3 V (vs. SCE). Under optimal conditions, the proposed aptasensor displayed a wide linear range from 100 fg mL(-1) to 10 ng mL(-1) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 12 fg mL(-1). The developed method showed good reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.27%. The aptasensor showed favorable results in the analysis of the real samples. With these merits, the aptasensor has exceptional potential as a diagnostic tool for tuberculosis in clinical practice.

Automated summary

In this study, a label-free electrochemical aptasensor based on a bimetallic organic framework nanohybrid was developed for sensitive detection of ESAT-6. The nanohybrid exhibited excellent electrochemical response and could be directly used for anchoring ESAT-6 binding aptamers. The aptasensor showed a wide linear range, low limit of detection, good reproducibility, and promising results in real sample analysis, demonstrating its potential as a diagnostic tool for tuberculosis in clinical practice.