Heavy Metal Ions Detection Using Nanomaterials-Based Aptasensors

Heavy metals ions as metallic pollutants are a growing global issue due to their adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem, and human health. Unfortunately, conventional detection methods such as atomic absorption spectrometry exhibit a relatively low limit of detection and hold numerous disadvantages, and therefore, the development of an efficient method for in-situ and real-time detection of heavy metal residues is of great importance. The aptamer-based sensors offer distinct advantages over antibodies and emerged as a robust sensing platform against various heavy metals due to their high sensitivity, ease of production, simple operations, excellent specificity, better stability, low immunogenicity, and cost-effectiveness. The nucleic acid aptamers in conjugation with nanomaterials can bind to the metal ions with good specificity/selectivity and can be used for on-site monitoring of metal ion residues. This review aimed to provide background information about nanomaterials-based aptasensor, recent advancements in aptamer conjunction on nanomaterials surface, the role of nanomaterials in improving signal transduction, recent progress of nanomaterials-based aptasening procedures (from 2010 to 2022), and future perspectives toward the practical applications of nanomaterials-based aptasensors against hazardous metal ions for food safety and environmental monitoring.

Automated summary

Heavy metal ions as metallic pollutants pose a global issue due to their harmful effects on the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Conventional detection methods have limitations, making the development of an efficient method for on-site and real-time detection of heavy metal residues crucial. Aptamer-based sensors, with their high sensitivity, ease of production, simplicity, specificity, stability, low immunogenicity, and cost-effectiveness, offer advantages over antibodies. When combined with nanomaterials, nucleic acid aptamers can selectively bind to metal ions, enabling on-site monitoring of their residues.