Novel ssDNA aptamer-based fluorescence sensor for perfluorooctanoic acid detection in water

[Display omitted] •Aptamer binding to perfluorooctanoic acid (KD 5.5 μM) is found for the first time.•Fluorescence aptasensor exhibited LOD of 0.17 μM with linear range of 0–75 μM.•The alkyl length of fluorocarbon plays a key role in its binding to the aptamer.•Water matrix interference is minimal on the selected aptamer performance.•The binding performance was robust under wastewater effluent condition. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely detected environmental contaminants, and there is a great need for development of sensor technologies for rapid and continuous monitoring of PFAS. In this study, we have developed fluorescence based aptasensor that can possibly monitor perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water with limit of detection (LOD) of 0.17 μM. This is first to report the successful isolation of PFAS binding ssDNA aptamers. The obtained aptamer selectively binds PFOA with dissociation constant (KD) of 5.5 μM. Specific aptamer binding sites to PFOA were identified and the length of the fluorinated carbons was a key binding factor rather than the functional group. The aptamer binding to structurally similar PFAS compounds (i.e., perfluorocarboxylic acids and perfluorosulfonic acids with 4–8 carbon chains) was also investigated; the aptamer KD values were 6.5 and 3.3 μM for perfluoroheptanoic acid and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, respectively, while other analogs did not bind to the aptamer. The presence of major inorganic ions and dissolved organic matter had negligible influences on the aptamer performance (