Rapid and simple colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in apple juice using a novel recombinant...

In this study, a bacteriophage-based method for the colorimetric detection of E. coli O157:H7 in apple juice was investigated. Firstly, a gene encoding Cytochrome c Peroxidase (CCP) chromogenic enzyme was inserted into a wild type PP01 phage genome to construct the recombinant PP01ccp phage that was used in the production of the chromogenic enzyme through specific infection into E. coli O157:H7. The method was then examined in the colorimetric detection of E. coli O157:H7 in broth, and the appearance of E. coli O157:H7 in broth was confirmed by the color change after a few minutes of the enzyme assay. Secondly, the method was investigated in the colorimetric detection of E. coli O157:H7 in apple juice. A low E. coli O157:H7 concentration as 1 CFU mL(-1) was detected in 15 h that was in a shorter time than in previous bioluminescence phage-based methods. Moreover, the method is much simpler compared to other previous phage-based methods since it enables detection without the need for expensive apparatus.