Colorimetric detection of ssDNA in a solution

A solution containing ssDNA was detected by using colloidal gold nanoparticles upon a color change of solution. First of all, we prepared colloidal gold nanoparticles with a size of less than 20 nm by means of citrate reduction of HAuCl₄. Since colloidal gold nanoparticles modified with citrate anions have a negative charge, they are very well dispersed in the solution due to the negative charge repulsion, showing red color. If the electrostatic repulsion is screened by additives such as NaCl, the nanoparticles start to aggregate, leading to a color alteration. We found that the color alteration is retarded when the solution contains ssDNA, which plays a role in preventing the nanoparticles from aggregation. This allows the determination of whether or not ssDNA is present in a solution. However, the color alteration is not retarded when the solution contains dsDNA.