G-quadruplex DNA-based colorimetric biosensor for the ultrasensitive visual detection of strontium ions using MnO2 nanorods as oxidase mimetics

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) Vol. 191; no. 4; p. 213
• Main Authors: Chen, Yiting, Gong, Chunhui, Chen, Kaiwei, Wang, Ziwei, He, Manli, Wang, Peng, Chen, Kai, Jiao, Yan, Yang, Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.04.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absorbance; Acidic oxides; Analytical Chemistry; Biosensors; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Colorimetry; Manganese dioxide; Microengineering; Nanochemistry; Nanorods; Nanotechnology; Original Paper; Oxidase; Oxidation; Specific energy; Strontium; Strontium 90; Water sampling; nanorods; DNA aptamer; Strontium-90; Colorimetry; Biosensors; Paper-based sensor; MnO; Oxidase-mimicking
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06293-5

Strontium-90 ( 90 Sr) is a major radioactive component that has attracted great attention, but its detection remains challenging since there are no specific energy rays indicative of its presence. Herein, a biosensor that is capable of rapidly detecting Sr 2+ ions is demonstrated. Simple colorimetric method for sensitive detection of Sr 2+ with the help of single-stranded DNA was developed by preparing MnO 2 nanorods as oxidase mimic catalysis 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Under weakly acidic conditions, MnO 2 exhibited a strong oxidase-mimicking activity to oxidize colorless TMB into blue oxidation products (oxTMB) with discernible absorbance signals. Nevertheless, the introduction of a guanine-rich DNA aptamer inhibited MnO 2 -mediated TMB oxidation and reduced oxTMB formation, resulting in blue fading and diminished absorbance. Upon the addition of strontium ions to the system, the aptamers formed a stable G-quadruplex structure with strontium ions, thereby restoring the oxidase-mimicking activity of MnO 2 . Under the best experimental conditions, the absorbance exhibits a linear relationship with the Sr 2+ concentration within the range 0.01–200 μM, with a limit of detection of 0.0028 µM. When the concentration of Sr 2+ from 10 −8 to 10 −6  mol L −1 , a distinct color change gradient could be observed in paper-based sensor. We successfully applied this approach to determine Sr 2+ in natural water samples, obtaining recoveries ranging from 97.6 to 103% with a relative standard deviation of less than 5%. By providing technical solutions for detection, our work contributed to the effective monitoring of transportation of radioactive Sr in the environment. Graphical abstract