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Surface plasmon resonance biosensor with plastic-binding peptide for nanoplastic detection in environmental water
Summary
Scientists have developed a new sensor that can quickly detect tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) in water by using a special protein that sticks to plastic like a magnet. This matters because nanoplastics are so small they're hard to find with current tools, yet they may pose health risks if they end up in our water supply — this device could help researchers and water quality experts spot contamination faster and more easily, even in real pond and aquarium water. While still an early-stage lab tool, it's a promising step toward better monitoring of plastic pollution that could eventually protect drinking water safety.
Nanoplastics are emerging environmental contaminants that pose potential risks to ecosystems and human health, yet their reliable detection remains challenging due to their small size. Here, we present a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor that employs a polystyrene-binding peptide (PS-BP) as a recognition element for polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs). This peptide-nanoplastic interface enabled selective binding, confirmed through controlled experiments and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative analysis of SPR response revealed a detection limit of 1.3 μg/mL within 20 min in ion-adjusted laboratory water without labeling. Furthermore, the applicability of the biosensor was demonstrated by spiking PS-NPs into filtered aquarium and pond waters. These results highlight peptide-functionalized SPR substrates as a promising strategy for nanoplastic detection, with potential extension to broader environmental and biological sensing applications.