Recent advances in aptasensors for the detection of low molecule pollutants in the environment

Abstract

The pollution caused by low molecular-weight contaminants (molecular weight ＜ 1000 Da) has become an increasingly serious problem worldwide. Such contaminants, including heavy metal ions, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, endocrinedisrupting chemicals (EDCs) and low molecular weight toxins, are ubiquitously present in the air, soil and water environments. They can further endanger the ecological systems and human health through the food chain. This review systematically summarizes various aptamer-based detection technologies, which achieve enhanced sensitivity and specificity by triggering conformational changes or signal responses by the specific binding between aptamers and their targets. Meanwhile, this paper elaborates on the application progress of aptasensors in the detection of low molecular weight contaminants in the environment and also discusses the current challenges faced by basing aptasensor detection strategies.