We present a new format of apta-sensing composite particles for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) detection of malathion. These apta-sensing microspheres acquire their extraction capability through aptamer-target analyte interaction and Raman signal enhancement for SERS detection of the pesticide. Micron-sized polymer particles were synthesized by precipitation polymerization using methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as co-monomers in acetonitrile. Conjugation with colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via modification with 2-aminoethanethiol led to polymer-AuNP composites with controlled aggregation of AuNPs onto the polymer surface. The thiolated aptamer targeting malathion was attached to the metal surface by thiol-gold interaction, resulting in polymer-AuNP-aptamer composite microspheres. The new material was characterized using two techniques: scanning electron microscopy imaging and dynamic light scattering measurements. The polymer-AuNP-aptamer particles were incubated with a phosphate buffer solution containing malathion at a suitable concentration level for 30 min, washed with water, and then dried on a microscope glass slide prior to spectra acquisition. The proposed apta-sensing SERS substrate successfully allows the direct detection of the target molecule at 3.3 μg mL−1. Only basic equipment is required for analyte separation, making the apta-sensing microspheres well-suited for potential industrial applications that require on-site analyte detection.
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