Fullerenol Quantum Dots-Based Highly Sensitive Fluorescence Aptasensor for Patulin in Apple Juice

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biosensors
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Patulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin found in foods, posing health risks.
• Accurate detection of PAT is crucial for food safety and quality control.
• Existing detection methods may lack sensitivity, selectivity, or require complex procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly selective and sensitive aptasensor for patulin detection.
• To utilize the fluorescence quenching properties of fullerenol quantum dots (FOQDs) and TAMRA.
• To establish a reliable method for patulin quantification in food samples.

Main Methods:

• Construction of an aptasensor based on FOQDs and a patulin-specific aptamer labeled with TAMRA.
• Exploitation of the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism for fluorescence quenching.
• Investigation of π-π stacking interactions between the aptamer and FOQDs for signal modulation.
• Validation of the aptasensor in apple juice samples.

Main Results:

• The aptasensor exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity for patulin detection.
• A linear correlation was observed between fluorescence recovery and patulin concentration (0.02-1 ng/mL) with a detection limit of 0.01 ng/mL.
• The aptasensor demonstrated effective performance in apple juice samples within a linear dynamic range of 0.05-1 ng/mL.
• Maximum fluorescence quenching efficiency reached 85% without non-specific quenching.

Conclusions:

• The developed FOQD-based aptasensor provides a sensitive and selective platform for patulin detection.
• The homogeneous fluorescence assay shows promise for real-time monitoring of food contaminants.
• This approach has broad applicability for detecting various food pollutants.