Piezoelectric aptasensor with gold nanoparticle amplification for the label-free detection of okadaic acid

Okadaic acid (OA) is one of the most common marine biological toxins, which can cause human poisoning or even death. It is desirable and essential to develop novel approaches for OA detection in a convenient, practical and low-cost manner. In this study, a novel piezoelectric aptasensor was designed for the detection of OA. The aptamers specifically binding with OA were used as the sensing elements. Quartz crystal micmbalance (QCM) device was used as the transducer for responsive signal detection. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used to amplify the detection signals. The results showed that the linear detection range of OA was 0.5 similar to 200 nM with a detection limit of 0.32 nM. This biosensor provides a novel approach for inexpensive, ultrasensitive, well-specific and label-free detection of OA as well as other marine biological toxins with minor modifications.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel piezoelectric aptasensor was designed for the detection of OA, with aptamers and quartz crystal microbalance used for signal detection, and gold nanoparticles for signal amplification. The biosensor showed a wide linear detection range and low detection limit.