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Abstract:
Histamine is a biogenic amine, identified as a natural contaminant in food and alcoholic beverages, with high levels eliciting allergy-related conditions. Exposure to allergens can lead to abnormal high levels of histamine in the body that is detectable in blood and urine. A rapid histamine biosensor that can detect histamine levels in food, beverages and also be used as a diagnostic tool for allergy-related conditions will be an ideal point of care testing tool. In addition, histamine has been identified as a close-range aggregation pheromone component in bed bug feces. A portable biosensor that detects bed bugs in these settings is in demand. Nano-aptamer based biosensors have previously been used to detect wide range of targets. In this study, histamine-binding aptamers were characterized. A head-to-head comparison of binding affinity and specificity for these group of aptamers were conducted, and the aptamer candidates best suited for biosensor application was selected.