A novel electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for ultrasensitive lincomycin detection using Ti₃C₂-TiO₂-Ru probe

The presence of lincomycin (LIN) residues in food poses significant health risks to humans, necessitating a highly sensitive and specific detection method for LIN. This study used a self-enhancing Ti₃C₂-TiO₂-Ru probe to develop an electrochemiluminescence aptasensor to detect LIN. The Ti₃C₂-TiO₂ was synthesized in situ by harnessing the unique reducibility of Ti₃C₂, with TiO₂ serving as a co-reaction accelerator. Moreover, Ti₃C₂-TiO₂ served as a carrier with an excellent negative charge, allowing for the immobilization of a substantial amount of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ through electrostatic adsorption, thus forming a self-enhancing Ti₃C₂-TiO₂-Ru probe. Furthermore, the specific affinity of LIN toward the aptamer and the chelating interaction between the Ti and phosphate groups ensured highly precise LIN detection. This sensor demonstrated excellent performance, with a detection limit of 0.025 ng mL^-1 and a detection range of 1.0 × 10^-1-1.0 × 10⁴ ng mL^-1. The LIN detection in milk showed commendable recovery rates, ranging from 94.4% to 106.0%.