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Double-layer core-satellite magnetic SERS aptasensor for ultrasensitive and interference-free tryptamine detection.

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Title: Double-layer core-satellite magnetic SERS aptasensor for ultrasensitive and interference-free tryptamine detection.
Authors: Chen C; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China., Ge Y; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China., Liu K; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China., Zhang Y; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China., Wang X; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China., Waterhouse GIN; School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand., Qiao X; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China., Xu Z; Key Laboratory of Food Processing Technology and Quality Control in Shandong Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China. zhixiangxu@sina.com.
Source: Mikrochimica acta [Mikrochim Acta] 2026 Jun 16; Vol. 193 (7). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 16.
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Springer-Verlag Country of Publication: Austria NLM ID: 7808782 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1436-5073 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00263672 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Mikrochim Acta Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Wien ; New York : Springer-Verlag.
MeSH Terms: Tryptamines*/analysis , Tryptamines*/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman*/methods , Aptamers, Nucleotide*/chemistry , Biosensing Techniques*/methods , Magnetite Nanoparticles*/chemistry, Gold/chemistry ; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry ; Limit of Detection
Abstract: Excessive tryptamine in food poses a significant risk to human health, emphasizing the demand for efficient, sensitive, and rapid detection technologies. Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) aptasensors are presently attracting a lot of attention due to their ability to detect targets at low concentrations. However, their inherent instability and poor anti-interference ability hinder their widespread use. Herein, a two-layer core-satellite magnetic SERS aptasensor was constructed to achieve the sensitive detection of tryptamine. The SERS aptasensor consisted of magnetic SERS recognition probes (magnetite nanoparticles coated with gold nanoparticles and aptamer: Fe3O4@Au-apt) and SERS signal probes (gold nanoparticles of two different sizes functionalized with the Raman reporter molecule 4-mercaptobenzonitrile and complimentary deoxyribonucleic acid strands). In the absence of tryptamine, the SERS signal probes attached to the aptamer on the SERS recognition probes to form a two-layer core-satellite structure with an intense SERS signal at 2226 cm- 1 in the "biological-silent" region due to the 4-Mercaptobenzonitrile. In the presence of tryptamine, tryptamine bonded to aptamer on the SERS recognition probe leading to detachment of the SERS signal probes, weakening the SERS signal at 2226 cm- 1. The aptasensor exhibited a favorable linear range from 0.001 to 100 mg L- 1, with a detection limit of 0.39 × 10- 3 mg L- 1 toward tryptamine. The fabricated sensor was practically applied to the detection of tryptamine in liquor, white wine and vinegar samples, with results highly consistent with high performance liquid chromatography data, demonstrating the broad prospects of the developed analytical method in food threat detection.
(© 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)
Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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Grant Information: No. 32372431 National Natural Science Foundation of China
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Anti-interference detection; Aptasensor; Self-assembly; Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy; Tryptamine detection
Substance Nomenclature: 0 (Tryptamines)
422ZU9N5TV (tryptamine)
0 (Aptamers, Nucleotide)
7440-57-5 (Gold)
0 (Magnetite Nanoparticles)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260616 Date Completed: 20260616 Latest Revision: 20260714
Update Code: 20260715
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-026-08198-x
PMID: 42301537
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:1436-5073
DOI:10.1007/s00604-026-08198-x