Gold nanoparticle-based aptasensors for detecting kanamycin in foods: Recent advances and perspectives

The overuse of kanamycin (KAN) has posed a significant threat to food safety. There has been a growing concern about using gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based aptasensors for the quick and effective detection of KAN in food products. It has been corroborated that AuNPs can adsorb KAN. However, many previous studies have centered their fundamental principle of aptasensors on the precise binding of KAN to the aptamer but have overlooked the nonspecific adsorption of KAN on AuNPs. This nonspecific adsorption may negatively impact the accuracy of detection and even lead to spurious results. It may be imperative to reconsider the guiding principles for future research on aptasensors for the detection of KAN using AuNPs. This paper provided a summary of reports over the 2011–2023 period on AuNP-based aptasensors for detecting KAN in foods. The article systematically discussed three detection strategies, namely colorimetry, fluorescence, and electrochemistry. The influence of nonspecific adsorption between AuNPs and KAN on these strategies was also scrutinized. Additionally, this review offered corresponding improvement methods to avoid the nonspecific adsorption between AuNPs and KAN.