High-Affinity Aptamer Selection for Microbial Transglutaminase and Application in Colorimetric-SERS Dual-Mode...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Food Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) enhances food texture but poses health risks.
• Existing detection methods lack sensitivity or specificity for MTGase.
• Accurate MTGase detection is crucial for food safety and quality control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive and specific aptasensor for MTGase detection.
• To create a dual-mode sensor combining colorimetric and SERS detection.
• To enable reliable monitoring of MTGase in food products.

Main Methods:

• Selection of a high-affinity aptamer (S1) using Capture-SELEX.
• Construction of a dual-mode aptasensor using MIL-101(Fe)@MoS2@AuNPs and magnetic Fe3O4 NPs.
• Signal amplification via catalytic hairpin assembly for enhanced sensitivity.

Main Results:

• The aptamer S1 exhibited high affinity for MTGase (Kd = 24.32 ± 5.85 nM).
• The dual-mode aptasensor achieved a linear detection range of 1-2000 ng/mL for MTGase.
• Achieved limits of detection were 0.46 ng/mL (colorimetric) and 0.16 ng/mL (SERS).

Conclusions:

• The developed aptasensor provides a sensitive, specific, and stable platform for MTGase detection.
• This method offers a promising tool for food safety monitoring.
• The aptasensor has potential applications in broader biosensing fields.