Fabrication of an ultrasensitive ibuprofen nanoaptasensor based on covalent attachment of aptamer to electrochemically deposited gold-nanoparticles on glassy carbon electrode.

The paper reports the development of an ultrasensitive nanoaptasensor based on the covalent attachment of an aptamer (Apt) to gold-nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as the unique platform. The developed nanoaptasensor was utilized to assay the anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen (IBP). The sensing platform was fabricated using a single-stage electrodeposite approach. It is worth noting that the proposed nanoaptasensor combines the advantages of the deposition of neatly arranged AuNPs (enlarged active surface area and strengthened electrochemical signal) and the elimination of enzymes or antibodies for the amplified detection of IBP, with the covalent attachment of the Apt to the surface of the modified electrode. Moreover, the newly developed nanoaptasensor embraces a number of attractive features such as ease of fabrication, low detection limit, excellent selectivity, good stability and a wide linear range with respect to IBP. Meanwhile, interference of common interfering analgesic drugs was effectively avoided. In optimized empirical conditions, the response current of the nanoaptasensor is linear to IBP concentrations from 0.005 nmol(-1) to 7 nmol(-1) with the detection limit (LOD) as accurate as 0.5 pmol(-1). This LOD value proves more sensitive in comparison with previously reported methods. Thus, the fabricated nanoaptasensor can serve as a powerful sensor for rapid diagnosis of IBP in human blood samples and shows great potential for practical bioapplication.