High sensitive and selective electrochemical aptasensor for patulin detection based on a novel assembling strategy using hierarchically porous carbon

Patulin (PAT) in food is a menace to human health. Hence, a sensitive and precise approach to PAT detection is significant. In this research, an innovative electrochemical assay was developed for sensitively determining PAT by assembling aptamers on a carboxylation hierarchically porous carbon (HPC-COOH) modified glassy carbon electrode. Diverse analytical methods were used to describe electrode morphology, structure, chemical composition, and electrochemistry properties. The HPC-COOH, with a large surface area, played a crucial role as a unique substrate to effectively immobilize aptamers and enhance target PATs' recognition and capture ability. Simultaneously, the excellent electrical conductivity of HPC-COOH was significant for the signal amplification of sensors. Under optimized conditions, the aptasensor enabled efficient PAT detection in a broad concentration range (0.5–5.0×10 6 ng/L) with a low detection limit (0.25 ng/L). The designed aptasensor showed high sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability under optimized conditions. The sensors’ feasibility for practical applications was further demonstrated by analyzing apple juice and haw juice samples.