A highly efficient homogeneous electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for amplified analysis of Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic thermostable subordinate metabolite produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species. OTA contamination occurs in a wide range of foods and poses a threat to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to construct a sensitive and reliable method for analyzing OTA to ensure food safety. Herein, a simple yet sensitive ECL aptasensor has been constructed for OTA detection through the synergistic amplification between catalytic DNA assembly (CDA) and exonuclease III (Exo III)-initiated recycling reaction. The anti-OTA aptamer-encoded sensing unit specifically recognizes target OTA and leads to the release of the trigger sequence for stimulating the CDA circuit, yielding numerous dsDNA hybrids that carry the re-assembled S strand. Each of the as-assembled S sequence could hybridize with the Ru(bpy)32+-labeled substrate (S*-Ru) to produce a T-shape structure with a blunt 3′ terminus, which can be hydrolyzed and digested by Exo III, leading to the liberation of mononucleotide functionalized with Ru(bpy)32+ (Ru). Simultaneously, the S sequence was released and hybridized with another S*-Ru sequence for initiating the subsequent cycle of Exo III-stimulated digestion process until all the S*-Ru strands are digested, thus resulting in the generation of numerous Ru and remarkably amplified ECL signals for high-performance detection of OTA. With reliable analyte recognition and high signal gain, the ECL system enabled the high-performance and accurate determination of OTA in buffer, wheat, and wine samples, thus showing considerable potential applications for highly efficient determination of contaminants of low concentration in foodstuff. [Display omitted] •A robust DNA amplification circuit was devised for OTA detection in food matrices.•The synergistic amplification of CDA and Exo III effectively enhanced ECL signal.•The aptasensor showed high sensitivity toward OTA with a detection limit of 0.2 pM.•The label-free ECL sensor enabled reliable analysis of OTA in wheat and wine samples.