G-quadruplex-based fluorescent sensing platform for thiamethoxam detection: integrating multiple signal amplification...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid insecticide, poses risks including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption.
• Quantitative determination of thiamethoxam residues is vital for human health risk mitigation.
• Existing detection methods may lack the sensitivity or practicality for comprehensive surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a sensitive and reliable biosensor for thiamethoxam detection.
• To establish a standardized framework for monitoring thiamethoxam in diverse matrices.
• To address the need for effective surveillance of insecticide residues.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel biosensor utilizing G-quadruplex formation and Thioflavin T fluorescence.
• Incorporation of Exonuclease III-driven shear amplification and hybridization chain reaction for signal enhancement.
• Optimization of reaction conditions for maximum sensitivity and specificity.

Main Results:

• The biosensor achieved a wide detection range from 10 pg mL^-1 to 1 µg mL^-1.
• A low detection limit of 8.7 pg mL^-1 was established.
• Successful thiamethoxam detection in real environmental and food samples confirmed practical applicability.

Conclusions:

• The developed biosensor offers a sensitive and reliable method for thiamethoxam quantification.
• This tool can significantly aid in surveillance frameworks for mitigating toxicological risks.
• The biosensor's performance demonstrates its potential for routine monitoring in agricultural and food safety contexts.