Selection of aptamers for aflatoxin M1 and their characterization

In the present work, aptamers against aflatoxin M1 and aflatoxin B1 were generated and tested for creating proof of principle of recognition of aflatoxin M1 by generated aptamers. The aptamers were selected through the process referred as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. A total of 41 different aptamer (36 aptamers for aflatoxin M1 and 5 for aflatoxin B1) sequences were obtained. The determination of dissociation constant ( K d ) values revealed that aptamers generated against aflatoxin M1 exhibited K d values in the range of 35–1515 nM. Selected aptamers were grouped on the basis of the presence of common motifs or G‐quadruplex. We find it interesting that one aptamer with no conserved motif or G‐quadruplex had lowest K d value ( K d = 35 nM). This structural motif is very distinct from motifs present in other aptamers. The K d values of selected aptamers for aflatoxin B1 were in the range of 96–221 nM. One aptamer from each group was further tested for its ability to be used in aptasensor. The aptamer recognized aflatoxin M1 as indicated by color change (red to purple or blue) of aptamer‐coated gold nanoparticles in the presence of 250–500 nM aflatoxin M1. The aptamers can be used in developing methods for detection/estimation/separation of aflatoxin or antidote for aflatoxin toxicity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.