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A four-channel paper microfluidic device with gold nanoparticles and aptamers for seized drugs

NCJ Number
307709
Journal
Analytical Biochemistry Volume: 595 Dated: 15 April 2020
Author(s)
Ling Wang; Bruce McCord
Date Published
2020
Annotation

This article describes a research study for the development of a paper microfluidic device that can detect mixtures of seized drugs using compound-specific aptamers and gold nanoparticles as colorimetric detectors.

Abstract

In this note, the authors describe a four-channel paper microfluidic device (μPAD) that utilizes gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as colorimetric sensors and specifically tailored aptamers to capture a set of targeted drugs, including cocaine, codeine and methamphetamine. The design utilizes salt-induced aggregation of AuNPs to produce a color change that indicates the presence of target analytes. In the absence of the targets, the aptamers bind to AuNPs, preventing aggregation. This μPAD was developed by optimizing the concentrations of aggregating agents, AuNPs and aptamers. The resultant device is sensitive and specific, producing a positive result upon detection of the target analyte. Publisher Abstract Provided