Low background interference SERS aptasensor for highly sensitive multiplex mycotoxin detection based on polystyrene microspheres-mediated controlled release of Raman reporters

Mycotoxin contamination is a serious global issue in food safety. The accurate detection of mycotoxins in complex samples, particularly via a portable detection system that realizes multi-analyte detection, remains a great challenge. Here, a polystyrene (PS)-mediated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) aptasensor was designed for ultrasensitive and simultaneous detection of multiple mycotoxins in food samples. First, the novel Raman tags were prepared using PS as nanocontainer to encapsulate abundant Raman reporters. The PS nanocontainer with Raman reporters was then functionalized by aptamer as an effective target-recognition platform. Second, the single-strand binding protein modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs@SSB) were used as a magnetic capture substrate. When the target mycotoxin was present and recognized by its aptamer, the combination of PS-Apt and mycotoxins can hinder the binding between PS-Apt and MNPs@SSB. Consequently, after the magnetic separation and treatment by THF solution, fewer biological-silent reporter probes were released from PS, causing the reduction of SERS signal as a function of target mycotoxins concentration. Due to the high loading capacity of PS and the excellent signal conversion and amplification of aptamer-assisted SERS assay, the proposed strategy is reliable and ultrasensitive for the determination of multiple mycotoxins. The limit of detection was as low as 0.159 fg L−1, 2.015 fg L−1, and 1.561 fg L−1 for ZEN, OTA and AFB1, respectively. This strategy not only raises a new idea for designing novel Raman tag, but also broadens the application of SERS for multiple detection of trace target.