Core-satellite nanoassembly system with aptamer-conjugated Au@Ag nanoparticles for SERS detection of patulin in apples

Patulin (PAT), a major contaminant in apples, poses a huge threat to human health as well as the economic sector. There is an urgent need to develop a sensitive, selective, and fast-responsive method to detect PAT in apples. However, one of the main challenges is overcoming the interferences of complex food matrices. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive competitive SERS sensor based on plasmonic nanoparticles modified by aptamers. The study utilized the formation of nanocomposites through aptamer-modified Au@Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and gold nano-stars (AuNSs) to induce high-intensity Raman signals from the SERS tag. Subsequently, in the presence of PAT, the nanocomposites underwent decomposition, evident through the significant decrease in SERS intensity. According to the standard curve established in this study, the detection limit was 0.0281 ng/mL. The competitive sensor was applied to spiked apple fruit and juice samples, indicating a recovery rate ranging from 91.98% to 102.94%. The excellent analytical performances and high sensitivity observed suggest the potential of the plasmonic nanocomposite sensing strategy in detecting PAT in real matrices.