Nanomaterial-based aptasensors and bioaffinity sensors for quantitative detection of 17β-estradiol

One of the most important endogenous estrogens is 17β-estradiol, which disturbed the endocrine system, and causing adverse effects on the growth, reproduction and development of the body. It is necessary to develop a convenient and rapid analytical method to detect estradiol with high sensitivity and selectivity. For determination of 17β-estradiol, methods such as high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were used. However, these methods often need expensive instruments, complex pretreatment, large volumes of harmful solvents and professional operation. Aptamers have been used as a new biosensor platform for detection of 17β-estradiol in different samples. This article provides an overview of the applications of aptasensors in analysis and monitoring of 17β-estradiol. After a brief description of the steroids, recent advances and applications of aptamer-based biosensors are presented. We have paid attention to the potential role of bioaffinity systems in the detection and quantitative determination of 17β-estradiol.