AuNPs-mediated precision assays for pesticide residues based on aptamers: methodological innovations toward food safety assurance

Background

Though pesticides boost crop yields and quality, their improper use raises growing concerns about food safety and public health risks. The long-term intake of agricultural products containing residual pesticides may lead to chronic poisoning, neurological damage and even carcinogenic risk, threating to public health. The research and application of precise assays for pesticide residues in agricultural and food-related matrices are of paramount importance in ensuring food safety and public health, while also representing a key challenge that urgently needs to be addressed in the current field.

Scope and approach

This review summarizes the application of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-mediated aptamer-based assays to pesticide residues in agricultural and food-related matrices, and elucidates the analytical mechanisms of AuNPs-mediated aptamer-based assays under different modes. Finally, we evaluate the current state of development and limitations in AuNPs-mediated aptamer-based assays to pesticide residues, and propose future direction for ensuring food safety.

Key finds and conclusions

AuNPs-mediated aptamer-based assays provide an analytical platform for pesticide residues in agricultural and food-related matrices with high accuracy, selectivity, sensitivity, low cost, etc. Future research should focus on developing AuNPs-mediated aptamer-based assays capable of simultaneously detecting a broad spectrum of pesticide residues, as well as integrating these systems into portable devices to enhance the efficiency of pesticide residue analysis in safeguarding food safety.