Abstract illustration of a BPA sensor detecting chemicals in water.

Is Bisphenol A Lurking in Your Food? This New Sensor Can Tell You

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Scientists develop an ultrasensitive method for detecting Bisphenol A (BPA) in food and water, ensuring safer consumption."

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in many plastics and epoxy resins, is a common component of food and drink packaging. Unfortunately, BPA can leach into our food and water, leading to inevitable human exposure. It's classified as an environmental endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), meaning it can interfere with our body's hormones.

Studies have linked BPA exposure to a host of health concerns, including increased risks of breast cancer, decreased sperm counts in males, and developmental issues in children. That's why accurate and rapid detection of BPA in food-related samples is essential for safeguarding public health.

While traditional methods for BPA detection exist, they often require complex sample preparation, expensive equipment, and skilled personnel. A new, more accessible solution is needed. Researchers have developed an innovative aptasensor using DNA amplification for ultrasensitive BPA detection. This sensor promises a simpler, more cost-effective way to monitor BPA levels and protect consumers.

How Does This New BPA Sensor Work?

Abstract illustration of a BPA sensor detecting chemicals in water.

This innovative sensor combines an aptamer (a short strand of DNA that binds to a specific target molecule) with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

First, a biotin-modified aptamer DNA, designed to bind specifically to BPA, is attached to the inside of a streptavidin-coated PCR tube. Template DNA, complementary to the aptamer DNA, is then added.

BPA Exposure: If BPA is present, the aptamer DNA binds to it, causing the template DNA to detach from the tube wall.
Amplification: The detached template DNA is then amplified using RT-qPCR. The amount of amplified DNA is directly related to the amount of BPA present in the original sample.
Detection: The sensor exhibits a linear response between cycle threshold (Ct) values and BPA concentration. The detection limit for BPA in water is remarkably low – just 0.7 nM.

This method offers excellent sensitivity and selectivity for BPA over its analogues, making it a promising tool for monitoring BPA contamination in various samples.

Why This Matters: A Safer Future for Consumers

This novel aptasensor represents a significant advancement in BPA detection. Its high sensitivity, selectivity, and ease of use make it a valuable tool for:

<ul><li>Ensuring Food and Water Safety: Accurately monitoring BPA levels in food and water sources to protect consumers from harmful exposure.</li><li>Improving Public Health: Providing a cost-effective and accessible method for regulatory agencies and researchers to assess BPA contamination.</li><li>Promoting Safer Products: Encouraging manufacturers to develop and use BPA-free alternatives in food packaging and other consumer products.</li></ul>

With further development and validation, this sensor could play a crucial role in reducing BPA exposure and promoting a healthier environment for everyone. The researchers successfully tested the sensor in tap water samples, demonstrating its potential for real-world applications. This new sensor offers a credible and enormous potential to detection of BPA in real water samples.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/09540105.2018.1515893, Alternate LINK

Title: Ultrasensitive Detection Of Bisphenol A Based On An Aptasensor With Dna Amplification

Subject: Agronomy and Crop Science

Journal: Food and Agricultural Immunology

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Yingyue Zhu, Xiangyuan Gu, Feng Jiang, Rui Jia, Mengyi Jin, Menglin Chen, Genhua Zhang

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Bisphenol A (BPA), and why is it a concern?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in many plastics and epoxy resins, often used in food and drink packaging. It can leach into food and water, leading to human exposure. This is a concern because BPA is classified as an environmental endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), meaning it can interfere with the body's hormones. Exposure to BPA has been linked to health issues like increased risks of breast cancer, decreased sperm counts, and developmental problems in children.

How does the new BPA sensor work?

The newly developed sensor uses an aptasensor combined with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for BPA detection. First, a biotin-modified aptamer DNA, which specifically binds to BPA, is attached to the inside of a streptavidin-coated PCR tube. Then, template DNA, which is complementary to the aptamer DNA, is added. If BPA is present, the aptamer DNA binds to it, causing the template DNA to detach. The detached template DNA is then amplified using RT-qPCR, and the amount of amplified DNA indicates the amount of BPA in the sample.

Why is this new BPA sensor important?

The significance of the new BPA sensor lies in its improved sensitivity, selectivity, and ease of use compared to traditional methods. It provides a simpler, more cost-effective way to monitor BPA levels in food and water, which can help protect consumers from exposure. This sensor offers a linear response between cycle threshold (Ct) values and BPA concentration, with a detection limit for BPA in water as low as 0.7 nM. This high level of accuracy is critical to safeguarding public health by allowing for earlier detection of potentially harmful levels of BPA.

What is RT-qPCR and how is it used in this sensor?

RT-qPCR stands for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. It's a molecular biology technique used to amplify and quantify a specific DNA target. In the context of the BPA sensor, RT-qPCR is used to amplify the template DNA that detaches from the PCR tube when BPA is present. The amount of amplified DNA is then measured to determine the concentration of BPA in the sample. This process allows for the detection of very small amounts of BPA, making the sensor highly sensitive.

What is an aptamer, and what role does it play in the BPA sensor?

An aptamer is a short strand of DNA that is designed to bind to a specific target molecule. In the sensor, the aptamer is designed to specifically bind to Bisphenol A (BPA). This binding action is crucial to the sensor's functionality; when BPA is present, it binds to the aptamer, which triggers the subsequent steps of the detection process. The aptamer’s selectivity for BPA ensures that the sensor can accurately identify and measure BPA levels without interference from similar chemicals.