Screening of Oligonucleotide Aptamers and Application in Detection of Pesticide and Veterinary Drug Residues

Abstract

Aptamers are a type of single stranded short deoxyribonucleic acid or ribonucleic acid sequences screened from a random oligonucleotide library, which have high affinity and specific recognition for specific target molecules. Since the advent of screening process called the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), there have been various SELEX-based improved screening processes and capillary electrophoresis-based SELEX or non-SELEX selection processes. As a molecular recognition element similar to antibody, aptamers have been applied to the detection of residues of pesticide and veterinary drugs associated with food and environmental safety. In these applications, aptamers are usually formed composite probes with other materials to produce signals, such as gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, or constitute sensors with electrochemical electrode. These screening methods and the applications of aptamers in the detection of pesticide and veterinary drug residues are summarized to provide a helpful reference for these issues.