Current research in food scienceJan 22, 2026

Three-way sensor using CRISPR to detect mycotoxin by fluorescence, color change, and test strip

CRISPR Gene Editing Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 23, 2026

Abstract

The tri-mode aptasensor platform achieved limits of detection of 23.7 pg/mL, 9.10 pg/mL, and 16.9 pg/mL for fluorescence, colorimetric, and strip modes, respectively.

The aptasensor utilizes a CRISPR/Cas12a-driven cascade strategy for detecting ochratoxin A (OTA).
Specific probes for recognition and signaling conversion were prepared, including Apt@cDNA and fluorophore-quencher reporters.
When OTA is present, it triggers a reaction that activates CRISPR/Cas12a, leading to signal amplification.
The platform demonstrated satisfactory specificity and accuracy in tests with both spiked and real samples.
Key features of the aptasensor include its quantitative capability, homogeneous reaction, and simplified operation.

Simplified

Multi-mode biosensors are promising rapid detection methods for mycotoxins, while these methods are still challenging in practice due to accessibility and efficiency. A tri-mode aptasensor platform based on CRISPR/Cas12a-driven cascade strategy is presented for ultrasensitive quantification of ochratoxin A (OTA) in this study. The probes of Apt@cDNA, fluorophore-quencher (FQ-reporter) and glucose oxidase (GOx)-reporter were prepared in advance to provide specific recognition and efficient signaling conversion. When target of OTA presented, the released cDNA aroused CHA reaction and then activated CRISPR/Cas12a, which not only used to turn-on the FQ-reporter but also release the GOx. To further improve the performance, the glucose was selected to generate numerous HOmolecules. The ultrasensitivity had been exhibited with limit of detection (LOD) values of 23.7 pg mL, 9.10 pg mLand 16.9 pg mLfor fluorescence, colorimetric and strip mode, respectively. The tri-mode aptasensor demonstrated satisfactory specificity, accuracy, and practicability by its application in spiked and real samples. Furthermore, the highlights, including quantitative capability, homogeneous reaction, and simplified operation, had been integrated. This proposed aptasensor has provided an ultrasensitive tri-mode rapid detection platform through CRISPR/Cas12a-driven generalduty optical signals, which might have promising prospects in the harmful substance monitoring in various scenarios. 2 2 -1 -1 -1

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

PubMed

Three-way sensor using CRISPR to detect mycotoxin by fluorescence, color change, and test strip

Abstract

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