Highly sensitive aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence sensor for cadmium detection in Ganoderma lucidum

Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses a major threat to food safety. Sensitive detection of Cd²⁺ is of great significance for the life health. Herein, an aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence (AIECL) sensor based on polymer dots (Pdots) is designed for Cd²⁺ detection. Through linkage of Cd²⁺ aptamer containing black hole quencher (BHQ) with Pdots, a signal "off" probe was achieved. In the presence of Cd²⁺, the BHQ moiety is released from Pdots and the ECL signal of Pdots is recovery. Such sensor exhibits excellent detection capability for Cd²⁺, with low detection limit of 0.006 ppb. More importantly, the sensor is applied for the quantitative analysis of Cd²⁺ in Ganoderma lucidum, and the results coincide well with the golden standard of ICP-MS. This study presents a facile and reliable methodology for the sensitive detection of cadmium, and demonstrates its potentials applying in food safety and environmental monitoring.