Au　based　nanomaterials　(AuNMs)　are　known　to　poessess　many　attractive　features　such　as　unique　electrical,　optical　and　catalytic　properties　as　well　as　excellent　biocompatibility.　These　outstanding　characteristics　make　them　promising　candidates　as　the　signal　reporters,　enhancement　materials　or　others　involved　with　bioassay,　food　safety　and　environmental　monitoring.　In　this　review,　we　summarize　the　current　advancement　on　application　of　AuNMs　in　analytical　sciences　based　on　their　local　surface　plasmon　resonance,　fluorescence　and　electrochemistry　properties.　Finally　future　development　in　this　research　area　is　also　prospected.　©　2016　Elsevier　Ltd