Ultrasensitive detection and application of estradiol based on nucleic acid aptamer and circulating amplification technology

It remains a vital task to establish ultrasensitive sensing interfaces for detection of estrogen to meet the demands of modern analysis, because steroidal estrogens have serious harm and interference effects on the endocrine function of humans and animals. Herein, a photoelectrochemical (PEC) platform for the highly sensitive determination of trace 17β-estradiol was developed based on CdTe-GO photosensitivity enhancement and cyclic technology signal amplification. Specifically, CdTe-GO was used as a photosensitive material to modify the screen-printed electrode (SPE) to obtain a stronger photocurrent, and then the cyclic amplification technology was introduced to significantly improve the photocurrent response. Under the optimal conditions, the as-prepared PEC aptasensor exhibited superb analytical performances for detection of E2 in the range from0.04 to 10 pM with a detection limit of 0.01 pM. The aptasensor showed significant selectivity and excellent reproducibility, which was attributed to the dual remarkable specific selection of aptamer and antibody for E2 and the high stability of the SPE. In addition, aptasensor had been successfully applied to determine E2 in royal jelly, milk powder and urine samples. Therefore, this article provides a new perspective for rapid, ultra-sensitive, and highly specific detection of E2.