Rapid and label-free detection of aflatoxin B1 using a rationally truncated aptamer and via circular dichroism measurement

We describe a simple aptamer assay for the rapid analysis of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potently carcinogenic fungal metabolite. The original anti-AFB1 aptamer was rationally truncated, obtaining a short aptamer that displayed better performance. Different concentrations of AFB1 were detected by measuring the circular dichroism spectra of this short aptamer. The detection limit reached 0.6 nM, which was lower than that of the original aptamer (80 nM).

Automated summary

We present a simple aptamer assay for rapid analysis of the carcinogenic fungal metabolite AFB1. By rationally truncating the original anti-AFB1 aptamer, a short aptamer with improved performance was obtained. Different concentrations of AFB1 were detected by measuring the circular dichroism spectra of this short aptamer. The detection limit reached 0.6 nM, which was lower than that of the original aptamer (80 nM).