Simple and programmed three-dimensional DNA tweezer for simultaneous one-step detection of ochratoxin A and zearalenone

Three-dimensional (TD) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tweezers were programmed for one-step identification and detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEN). The unfolding of the TD-DNA tweezers by aptamers specific to these two mycotoxins turned the fluorescent signals on. The bonding of the aptamers to their corresponding targets in OTA and ZEN turned the fluorescent signals and the DNA tweezers off. The detection limit of the TD-DNA tweezers for OTA and ZEN was 0.032 and 0.037 ng mL(-1), respectively. The feasibility of this method was tested using two samples. Detection via this method increased the recovery of OTA and ZEN from 95.8% to 110.2%. Spike recovery and certified food products were used to detect applicability in actual situations. Analyte detection in complex samples using TD-DNA tweezers is rapid, as the process involves a single operational step. This proposed design has considerable potential for application in mycotoxin detection. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, three-dimensional DNA tweezers were utilized for one-step identification and detection of OTA and ZEN. Aptamers specific to these two mycotoxins were employed to unfold the DNA tweezers, resulting in the activation of fluorescent signals. The detection limit of the TD-DNA tweezers for OTA and ZEN was determined to be 0.032 and 0.037 ng mL(-1), respectively. The method showed promising potential for rapid and accurate mycotoxin detection in complex samples.