Application of DNA aptamers as sensing layers for detection of carbofuran by electrogenerated chemiluminescence energy transfer

In this study, an electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensing platform for carbofuran detection was constructed based on ECL energy transfer (ECRET) and carbon dot (C-dot)-tagged aptamers as the recognition element. Fullerene (C60)-loaded gold nanoparticles (C60-Au) were used as the energy donor, modified on a glassy carbon electrode. C-dot-tagged DNA aptamers were used as the receptor, and ECRET then occurred between C60-Au and C-dots. After accepting the energy, the C-dots acted as a signal indicator and showed decreased signal intensity in the presence of targets, which competitively bound to DNA aptamers and blocked energy transfer. Using this robust, straight-forward strategy, the sensor showed a linear ECL response to carbofuran at concentrations from 2.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mol L⁻¹ to 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. The detection limit of this assay was shown to be 8.8 × 10⁻¹³ mol L⁻¹. Thus, the sensing approach described in this study could be adapted for use in the detection of various pesticide residue targets.