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Biosensors
Volume 15
Issue 7
10.3390/bios15070438
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

Heavy Metal Ion Detection Based on Lateral Flow Assay Technology: Principles and Applications

by
Xiaobo Xie
1,
Xinyue Hu
1,
Xin Cao
2,
Qianhui Zhou
2,
Wei Yang
2,
Ranran Yu
2,
Shuaiqi Liu
2,
Huili Hu
1,
Ji Qi
2,* and
Zhiyang Zhang
2,*
1
School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, Weihai 264209, China
2
CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Research Center for Coastal Environmental Engineering and Technology, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biosensors 2025, 15(7), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070438 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 24 April 2025 / Revised: 1 July 2025 / Accepted: 3 July 2025 / Published: 7 July 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Miniature Sensors Based on Highly Efficient Chemical and Biological Sensing Interfaces)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Heavy metal ions pose a significant threat to the environment and human health due to their high toxicity and bioaccumulation. Traditional instrumentations, although sensitive, are often complex, costly, and unsuitable for on-site rapid detection of heavy metal ions. Lateral flow assay technology has emerged as a research hotspot due to its rapid, simple, and cost-effective advantages. This review summarizes the applications of lateral flow assay technology based on nucleic acid molecules and antigen–antibody interactions in heavy metal ion detection, focusing on recognition mechanisms such as DNA probes, nucleic acid enzymes, aptamers, and antigen–antibody binding, as well as signal amplification strategies on lateral flow testing strips. By incorporating these advanced technologies, the sensitivity and specificity of lateral flow assays have been significantly improved, enabling highly sensitive detection of various heavy metal ions, including Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cr3+. In the future, the development of lateral flow assay technology for detection of heavy metal ions will focus on multiplex detection, optimization of signal amplification strategies, integration with portable devices, and standardization and commercialization. With continuous technological advancements, lateral flow assay technology will play an increasingly important role in environmental monitoring, food safety, and public health.
Keywords: lateral flow assay; heavy metal ion detection; nucleic acids; antigen–antibody; environmental monitoring; food safety lateral flow assay; heavy metal ion detection; nucleic acids; antigen–antibody; environmental monitoring; food safety

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Xie, X.; Hu, X.; Cao, X.; Zhou, Q.; Yang, W.; Yu, R.; Liu, S.; Hu, H.; Qi, J.; Zhang, Z. Heavy Metal Ion Detection Based on Lateral Flow Assay Technology: Principles and Applications. Biosensors 2025, 15, 438. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070438

AMA Style

Xie X, Hu X, Cao X, Zhou Q, Yang W, Yu R, Liu S, Hu H, Qi J, Zhang Z. Heavy Metal Ion Detection Based on Lateral Flow Assay Technology: Principles and Applications. Biosensors. 2025; 15(7):438. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070438

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xie, Xiaobo, Xinyue Hu, Xin Cao, Qianhui Zhou, Wei Yang, Ranran Yu, Shuaiqi Liu, Huili Hu, Ji Qi, and Zhiyang Zhang. 2025. "Heavy Metal Ion Detection Based on Lateral Flow Assay Technology: Principles and Applications" Biosensors 15, no. 7: 438. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070438

APA Style

Xie, X., Hu, X., Cao, X., Zhou, Q., Yang, W., Yu, R., Liu, S., Hu, H., Qi, J., & Zhang, Z. (2025). Heavy Metal Ion Detection Based on Lateral Flow Assay Technology: Principles and Applications. Biosensors, 15(7), 438. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070438

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