Recent trends in fluorescent aptasensors for mycotoxin detection in food: Principles, constituted elements, types, and applications

Abstract Mycotoxins are the secondary metabolites of fungi in food and can be toxic to people. Therefore, developing simple, sensitive, and specific detection methods to detect mycotoxins in food is essential for ensuring food safety. Fluorescent aptasensors for the detection of mycotoxins in food have developed rapidly. They are simple and fast with high affinity and specificity. However, fluorescent aptasensors have not yet been applied in officially approved standards so far. This review elucidates fluorescent aptasensors for mycotoxin detection, including principles, constituted elements, types, and applications. Screening results of aptamers and each aptamer sequence used in fluorescent aptasensors are summarized to facilitate further research for later studies. We also focused on fluorescent probes, nanomaterials, and other strategies in the process of constructing fluorescent aptasensors. We then discuss current challenges and future perspectives in fluorescent aptasensors for mycotoxin detection.