In this work, we propose a novel disposable flexible
and screen-printed electrochemical aptamer-based sensor (aptasensor)
for the rapid detection of chlorpyrifos (CPF). To optimize the process,
various characterization procedures were employed, including Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Initially, the
aptasensor was optimized in terms of electrolyte pH, aptamer
concentration, and incubation time for chlorpyrifos. Under optimal
conditions, the aptasensor showed a wide linear range from 1 to 105
ng/mL with a calculated limit of detection as low as 0.097 ng/mL and
sensitivity of 600.9 µA/ng. Additionally, the selectivity of the
aptasensor was assessed by identifying any interference from other
pesticides, which were found to be negligible (with a maximum standard
deviation of 0.31 mA). Further, the stability of the sample was assessed
over time, where the reported device showed high stability over a
period of two weeks at 4 °C. As the last step, the ability of the
aptasensor to detect chlorpyrifos in actual samples was evaluated by
testing it on banana and grape extracts. As a result, the device
demonstrated sufficient recovery rates, which indicate that it can find
application in the food industry.