Detection of Malachite Green using a colorimetric aptasensor based on the inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles by cetyltrimethylammonium ions.

A specific and sensitive colorimetric aptasensor is described for the determination of Malachite Green (MG). It is exploiting the inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The AuNPs act as enzyme mimics that catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 to yield a dark blue solution. The catalytic activity is inhibited by hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium ion, specifically by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), which causes the aggregation of AuNPs. If a (negatively charged) RNA-aptamer against MG is added, it binds to the positively charged CTAB and prevents aggregation. This enhances the enzyme mimicking activity of the AuNPs and leads to the formation of a dark blue solution. However, in the presence of MG, the aptamer binds to MG, and leads to the aggregation of AuNPs again. The aggregated AuNPs possess a light blue color. A colorimetric method (best performed at 650 nm) was work out that can detect MG in a concentration range from 10 to 500 nmol L-1. The detection limit based on 3σ/k criterion is 1.8 nmol L-1. The assay is highly specific and accurate. Recoveries from spiked real samples (aquaculture water) ranged from 80% to 120%. Graphical abstract Based on the inhibition of cetyltrimethyal ammonium ion and the enhancement of RNA-aptamer, the differences of the peroxidase-like activities of AuNPs can be greatly enlarged with and without MG, by which a colorimetric aptasensor can be constructed for the detection of Malachite Green (MG).