Based on Unmodified Aptamer-Gold Nanoparticles Colorimetric Detection of Dexamethasone in Food

Abstract

Residue and illegal addition of Dexamethasone (DEX) in food has received widespread attention over the past few decades. Long-term intake of DEX will have a strong endocrine-disrupting effect, and there is an urgent need to develop highly sensitive and rapid on-site detection methods. In this work, a colorimetric sensor based on an unmodified aptamer and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was designed to detect DEX in milk and glucosamine. Under optimized conditions, the absorbance ratio of Au NPs increased linearly with DEX concentration over the range of 10–350 nmol/mL (r2 = 0.997), with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 nmol/mL, and the recoveries ranged from 93.6 to 117%. To explore the interaction mechanism between aptamer and DEX, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were applied to probe intermolecular interactions and structures of the complex. The establishment of aptamer-based sensors effectively avoids the antibody screening response, with a cost-efficient, excellent selective and great potential in DEX determination.