A test strip for ochratoxin A based on the use of aptamer-modified fluorescence upconversion nanoparticles

An aptamer-based test strip is described for visual and instrumental determination of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA). It is based on the use of NaYF₄:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as a label for the aptamer and on the competition between OTA and its complementary sequence for an OTA-specific aptamer. To improve the analytical performance, the optical properties of the UCNPs, the fluidity of the UCNP-aptamer conjugate, and the migration rate on the nitrocellulose membranes were investigated. Under the optimal experimental conditions and by using a 980-nm laser, the relative fluorescence intensity (test line value/control line value) is proportional to the logarithm of the OTA concentration over a range from 5 to 100 ng·mL^-1 (R² = 0.9955). The limit of the detection is 1.86 ng·mL^-1. This aptamer based flow assay can be performed within 15 min and has no serious cross-sensitivity to potentially interfering species. It was successfully applied to the determination of OTA in spiked wheat and beer samples. Graphical abstract An aptamer-based upconversion fluorescent strip based on the use of NaYF₄:Yb,Er nanoparticles was developed for sensitive detection of Ochratoxin A. The limit of the detection was determined as 1.86 ng·mL^-1. The assay can be performed within 15 min, indicating its great potential in point-of-care testing.