Colorimetric aptasensing of microcystin-LR using DNA-conjugated polydiacetylene

Polydiacetylene (PDA) holds promise as a versatile material for biosensing applications due to its unique optical properties and self-assembly capabilities. In this study, we developed a colorimetric detection biosensor system utilizing PDA and aptamer for the detection of microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a potent hepatotoxin found in cyanobacteria-contaminated environments. The biosensor was constructed by immobilizing MC-LR-specific aptamer on magnetic beads, where the aptamer was hybridized with a urease-labelled complementary DNA (cDNA-urease). Upon binding MC-LR, the aptamer undergoes a conformational change to release cDNA-urease. The released cDNA-urease is subsequently captured by PDA bearing a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The enzymatic reaction triggers a distinctive color transition of PDA from blue to red. The results demonstrate exceptional sensitivity, with a linear detection range of 5–100 ng/mL and a limit of detection as low as 1 ng/mL. The practicability of the colorimetric method was demonstrated by detecting different levels of MC-LR in spiked water samples. The recoveries ranged from 77.3 to 102% and the color change, visible to the naked eye, underscores the practical utility for on-site applications. Selectivity for MC-LR over other microcystin variants (MC-RR and MC-YR) was confirmed. The colorimetric detection platform capitalizes on the properties of PDA and nucleic acid, offering a robust method for detecting small molecules with potential applications in environmental monitoring and public health.