A dual-mode “signal-on” split-type aptasensor for bisphenol A via target-induced hybridization chain reaction amplification

Herein, a dual-mode detection system was constructed for efficient and accurate detection of bisphenol A (BPA) with the assistance of the BPA-induced hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The captured DNA (cDNA) was first modified on the surface of magnetic spheres modified with gold nanoparticles and polydopamine and then hybridized with the BPA aptamer to form double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). In the presence of the BPA target, the BPA aptamer was released from the surface of the magnetic sphere. The free cDNA triggered a HCR to construct a DNA duplex. Methylene blue (MB), as a bifunctional probe, was intercalated into the double-stranded DNA to amplify the photocurrent (I_PEC) of the CdS-modified electrode and generate an electrochemical current (I_EC) at the same time. Under the optimized conditions, the PEC and EC signal responses of the system were linear to the logarithm of BPA concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10^-10 M to 1.0 × 10^-5 M. The detection limits were found to be 1.27 × 10^-11 M and 3.0 × 10^-11 M using the PEC and EC methods, respectively. The constructed dual-mode biosensor exhibited good performance for real sample analysis, demonstrating its promising potential for practical applications. In addition, this dual-mode detection strategy provides more accurate and reliable detection results.