A novel “off–on” ratiometric aptasensor based on dual-emissive persistent luminescent nanoparticles for the detection of dopamine

• Published in: Microchemical journal 2024-06, Vol.201, p.110577, Article 110577
• Main Authors: Zhu, Runzhi, Yu, Ling, Guo, Linchi, Ma, Xiaohu, Meng, Zhe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dopamine; Persistent luminescent nanoparticles; Ratiometric aptasensor; ZnGaO:Sm@Cy5.5; ZnGeO:Mn
• ISSN: 0026-265X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2024.110577

[Display omitted] A novel ‘‘off–on” single-excited dual-emissive ratio luminescent aptasensor for highly sensitive and accurate monitoring of DA levels has been prepared via electrostatic interaction connecting persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) with different emission wavelengths. When the target DA is present, the red wavelength recovers while the green wavelength remains unchanged. There is a good linear relationship between the ratio and DA concentration. •ZnGaO:Sm@Cy5.5-ZnGeO:Mn ratiometric aptasensor was prepared by electrostatic interaction between two PLNPs.•A novel ‘‘off–on” dual-emissive ratio aptasensor was developed for highly sensitive and accurate determination of trace DA.•Dual-emissive ratio aptasensor can effectively eliminate autofluorescence and exogenous interference. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter with multiple functions in the brain. The abnormal of dopamine levels are generally considered to be associated with various nervous system diseases. Herein, a novel ‘‘off–on” single-excited dual-emissive ratio luminescent aptasensor for highly sensitive and accurate monitoring of DA levels has been prepared via electrostatic interaction connecting persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) ZnGaO:Sm and ZnGeO:Mn with different emission wavelengths. ZnGaO:Sm@Cy5.5-ZnGeO:Mn (ZGS@Cy5.5-ZGM), this ratiometric aptasensor exhibits two-emission peaks at 533 and 700 nm under a single-excitation wavelength of 254 nm. The afterglow luminescence of ZnGaO:Sm-apt@Cy5.5 at 700 nm is effective quenched by complementary chains of Cy5.5-modified DA aptamers with 710 nm specific absorption and only efficiently recovered by DA; meanwhile, the afterglow luminescence of ZnGeO:Mn as reference at 533 nm remains unchanged. The as-designed autofluorescence-free and exogenous-free interference ratiometric sensing system ZGS@Cy5.5-ZGM showed high selectivity for DA in complex biological samples. Under optimal detection conditions, the luminescence intensity ratio Δ(I700/I533) showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of DA in the range of 0.02–80 μM and the detection limit as low as 4 nM. The recoveries of DA in serum, urine and sweat were 97.4 % to 105.3 %, 96.4 % to103.4 %, and 95.1 % to 104.4 %, respectively. Current strategies based on PLNPs ratiometric sensors provide an effective method with high selectivity and accuracy for the detection of DA in clinical samples.