Current trends of aptamer-based portable biosensing systems for the detection of environmental micropollutants: A review

Aptamer-based biosensors, also known as aptasensors, have garnered significant attention in recent years as alternative analytical tools for monitoring contaminants in the environment, owing to their exceptional detection capabilities. In particular, they excel in the detection of newly emerging contaminants, such as micropollutants, which are present at trace levels in water and pose challenges for conventional analytical methods. Numerous studies have highlighted the superiority of aptasensors as a simple, rapid, yet sensitive, and selective assay for environmental monitoring. Despite significant advancements in the tailoring of aptasensors to various types of contaminants with high sensitivity and selectivity, there remains a need to evaluate their practicality and develop feasible on-site analytical tools for environmental samples. In this regard, our review focuses on environmental aptasensors targeting micropollutants and assesses their integration and miniaturization status to develop portable platforms for environmental analytical assessment.