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A plasmonic gold nano-surface functionalized with the estrogen receptor for fast and highly sensitive detection of nanoplastics
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Scientists developed a rapid biosensor using gold nanostructures coated with estrogen receptors that can detect nanoplastics in seawater in just three minutes using only a tiny drop of water. The sensor works because many nanoplastics have estrogen-mimicking properties, allowing the receptor to bind them directly. This technology could provide a practical tool for monitoring nanoplastic pollution in real time, helping researchers and regulators better understand the extent of human and environmental exposure.
Nanoplastics are a global emerging environmental problem whose effects might pose potential threats to the human's health. Despite the relevance of the issue, fast, reliable and quantitative in situ analytical approaches to determine nanoplastics are not yet available. The aim of this work was to devise an optical sensor with the goal of direct detecting and quantifying nanoplastics in seawater without sample pre-treatments. To this purpose, a nano-plasmonic biosensor was developed by exploiting an Estrogen Receptor (ER) recognition element grafted onto a polymer-based gold nanograting (GNG) plasmonic platform. The ER-GNG biosensor required just minute sample volumes (2 μL), allowed rapid detection (3 min) and enabled to determine nanoplastics in simulated seawater with a linear dynamic concentrations range of 1-100 ng/mL, thus encompassing the expected environmental loads. The nanostructured grating (GNG) provided remarkable performance enhancements, extending the measurement range across five orders of magnitude, thanks to the both the SPR and the localized SPR phenomena occurring at the GNG chip. At last, the ER-GNG biosensor was tested on real seawater samples collected in the Naples area and the results (∼30 ng/mL) were verified by a conventional approach (filtration and evaporation), confirming the ER-GNG sensor offers a straightforward and highly sensitive method for the direct in-field nanoplastics monitoring.
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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.
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