A label-free colorimetric aptasensor based on split aptamers-chitosan oligosaccharide-AuNPs nanocomposites for sensitive and selective detection of kanamycin

Herein, the split aptamers, chitosan oligosaccharide, and AuNPs were combined as nanocomposites that present different formations to develop a label-free colorimetric aptasensor for rapid detection of small molecules. Kanamycin was chosen as a model target. Computational studies were performed to assist in the design of orientated immobilization of the split aptamers onto the AuNPs surface. Chitosan oligosaccharide was initially applied as an aggregation inducer of AuNPs, and chitopentaose was screened as the optimal. Under optimized conditions, the proposed aptasensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity, with a limit of detection of 20.58 nM, a linear range of 25-800 nM, and good recoveries of 98.49-104.9% and 85.69-107.0% when employed to detect kanamycin in tap water and milk samples, respectively. Only 55 min was needed for the whole assay. More importantly, this study can serve as a novel and robust reference for the aptasensing detection of other small molecules.

Automated summary

In this study, split aptamers, chitosan oligosaccharide, and AuNPs were combined to develop a label-free colorimetric aptasensor for rapid detection of small molecules, with kanamycin as the model target. Under optimized conditions, the proposed aptasensor exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity, with a detection limit of 20.58 nM, a linear range of 25-800 nM, and good recovery rates when applied to detect kanamycin in tap water and milk samples. This study can serve as a novel and robust reference for the aptasensing detection of other small molecules.