Label-free, liquid crystal-based aptasensor for detecting carbendazim at picomolar levels

We describe a simple and sensitive liquid-crystal (LC)-based method for quantifying carbendazim (CBZ) by exploiting aptamer-specific recognition at the aqueous-LC interface. The method relies on the interfacial interaction between an aptamer and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB); this interaction varies depending on the amount of CBZ. In the absence of CBZ, the aptamer disrupts the CTAB monolayer through electrostatic attraction, leading to a transition from homeotropic to tilted ordering of the LCs. As CBZ concentrations rise, the formation of aptamer-CBZ complexes increases, preserving the vertical alignment of the LCs by reducing collapse of the CTAB layer caused by electrostatic interactions. Using these methods, we achieved a CBZ detection limit of 3.12 pM (0.000597 μg/L) over a linear range of 0.05-5 nM. Moreover, we quantified CBZ levels in peach, soil, and tap water samples. Our LC-based detection method has significant research potential, offering sensitive, and straightforward detection of CBZ.