Sensitive colorimetric aptasensor based on stimuli-responsive metal-organic framework nano-container and trivalent DNAzyme for zearalenone determination in food samples

Zearalenone (ZEN) poses a serious threat to human and animal health. The development of sensitive determination methods for ZEN is of great significance for ensuring the quality and safety of food. Herein, based on a stimuli-responsive aptamer-functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF) nano-container and trivalent DNA peroxidase mimicking enzyme (DNAzyme), an efficient aptasensor was constructed initially for the colorimetric determination of ZEN. The proposed aptasensor only required simple operations but exhibited outstanding specificity, reproducibility, storage stability and reusability simultaneously. Under the optimal conditions, there was a good linear relationship between the changed absorbance and logarithm concentration of ZEN within 0.01-100 ng mL-1, and the limit of detection (LOD) could reach 0.36 pg mL-1. Moreover, the proposed aptasensor was reliable in quantifying ZEN in spiked food samples. The current bioassay provides a promising scheme for constructing stable, specific and rapid colorimetric platforms with potential applications in the fields of food safety.