Glucosemeter-based aptasensor with an efficient and green system driven by CRISPR/Cas12a for ZEN detection

To address the challenge of readily available and cost-effective monitoring, a novel aptasensor platform was proposed relying on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/associated protein 12a (CRISPR/Cas12a)-driven and glucosemeter-assisted system for zearalenone (ZEN). The magnetic bead (MB)-based probes of MB@Apt-cDNA and MB@invertase were prepared to provide specific recognition and efficient conversion. When ZEN presented, the released cDNA activated the cutting function of CRISPR/Cas12a for ssDNA, releasing numerous invertase to convert the environmentally friendly sucrose. Then, the generated glucose signals were positively related to ZEN levels, which quantified by a glucosemeter. The proposed aptasensor displayed an excellent sensitivity, achieving the limit of detection (LOD) and detection range of 0.218 ng/mL and 0.218-109.89 ng/mL, respectively. The platform also exhibited high specificity (with cross-reactivity values below 6.81 % for other analytes) and high accuracy for ZEN detection. The satisfactory reliability and practicability had been demonstrated through its application in real agricultural byproduct samples. The area under the curve was 0.979, with an optimal operating point being (0.125, 1.000). This study can provide an alternative pathway for improving the detection performance and accessibility to public in limited situation, suggesting the efficient CRISPR/Cas12a and green glucosemeter detection strategies for other pollutant monitoring.