CRISPR-based fluorescent aptasensor combined with smartphone for on-site visual detection of DEHP in packaged foods

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) can leach into food and the environment, posing health and ecological risks. This paper introduces a novel CRISPR-based fluorescent aptasensor for on-site DEHP detection. The aptasensor selectively binds to DEHP, triggering a competitive displacement reaction that releases an Aptamer-dsDNA probe. After magnetic separation, the supernatant is analyzed via a Cas12a reporter system, where Cas12a activation cleaves a FAM-BHQ reporter, generating fluorescence. Combined with smartphone imaging, this method enables rapid result acquisition. The aptasensor shows high selectivity and sensitivity, detecting DEHP from 1 pg/mL to 1 μg/mL, with a lower limit of 0.15 pg/mL. It effectively detects DEHP in various real samples, offering reliable visual monitoring. This method offers a rapid and effective on-site detection strategy for food safety and environmental pollution monitoring.