Concern is mounting regarding the human health and environment effects of 17β-estradiol (E2), a natural oestrogen excreted by human beings and animals. In this paper, a sensitive and selective biosensor for the detection of E2 using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), label-free E2-specific aptamer, and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) was developed. In the absence of E2, PDDA can electrostatically interact with E2-specific aptamer, and the charge responsible for inducing AuNPs aggregation was destroyed. However, the introduction of E2 can specifically interact with the aptamer to form E2–aptamer complex so that PDDA can aggregate AuNPs and cause a remarkable change in colour from wine red to blue, which enables colorimetric detection of E2 with selectivity and a detection limit of 1.57 nM.

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The authors describe an aptasensor for the detection of the gonadal hormone progesterone (P4) in aqueous solution. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were coated with a P4-specific aptamer, and such particles do not aggregate in presence of NaCl due to the presence of the aptamer coating. If, however, progesterone is added, it will bind to the aptamer and release it from the surface. The uncoated AuNPs, on addition of NaCl, will aggregate and a color change from red (520 nm) to blue (650 nm) can be visually detected or photometrically quantified. The ratio of the absorbances at 650 and 520 nm is linearly related to the P4 concentration in the range from 2.6 to 800 nM. The complete detection range extends from 2.6 to 1400 nM, and the detection limit is 2.6 nM. Water containing various potential interferents, as well as tap water and urine, were spiked with P4 and the recoveries of P4 are in the range of 89.7-117.5%, 84.4-115.0% and 94.7-118.8%, respectively. This assay has a large potential with respect to the visual and instrumental determination of P4 in aquatic environment and urine.