In vitro selection of DNA aptamers targeting β-lactoglobulin and their integration in graphene-based biosensor for the detection of milk allergen.

Food allergy has increased rapidly in recent years affecting millions of people worldwide. With the increased consumption of packed food nowadays, a sensitive, accurate and rapid screening method for potential food allergens has become an urgent need in order to protect the sensitive consumers from life-threatening reactions. The current detection methods for food allergens are mostly based on immunoassays which are costly and times-consuming. In this work, we developed an aptamer/graphene-based electrochemical biosensor for on-step, sensitive and low cost detection of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) milk protein, one of the most common food allergens specially in infants. The selection of DNA aptamers against the two β-LG variants A and B was successfully realised using systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) method. Among the selected aptamers, BLG14 aptamer sequence has shown high affinity and specificity to both β-LG A and B with dissociation constants (Kds) of 82 and 80nM, respectively as calculated using fluorescence binding assays. The aptamer was then integrated in a voltammetric biosensor utilizing graphene-modified screen printed carbon electrodes. The binding is monitored by following the change in the square wave voltammetry (SWV) reduction peak signal of ferrocyanide/ferricyanide redox couple due to the removal of the negatively charged aptamers from the surface upon protein binding. This one-step "signal on" biosensor takes 20min for the sensitive and selective detection of β-LG without using any labelling or sophisticated designs. The method was also tested in spiked food sample extract achieving good recovery percentage. The integration of the novel aptamer in the graphene biosensor allows a promising way for cost-effective, rapid and sensitive on-site detection of milk allergen in food stuff.