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Updated: Mar 5, 2026
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Label-free electrochemiluminescent biosensor for rapid and sensitive detection of pseudomonas aeruginosa using phage
Huan Yue1, Yong He1, Enci Fan1
1Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
Abstract:
A virulent phage named as PaP1 was isolated from hospital sewage based on a lambda phage isolation protocol. This phage showed a strong and highly specific binding ability to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Using this isolated phage as a recognition agent, a novel electrochemiluminescent (ECL) biosensor was developed for label-free detection of P. aeruginosa. The biosensor was fabricated through depositing phage-conjugated carboxyl graphene onto the surface of a glass carbon electrode. After specific binding of the host bacteria through the adsorption of P. aeruginosa cell wall by phage tail fibers and baseplate, the ECL signal of luminol suffered a decrease since the formed non-conductive biocomplex obstructed the interfacial electron transfer and blocked the diffusion of the ECL active molecules. The ECL emission declined linearly with P. aeruginosa concentration in the range of 1.4×102 -1.4×106CFUmL-1, with a very low detection limit of 56CFUmL-1. The whole detection process could be completed within 30min as a ready-for-use biosensor was adopted. This biosensor was successfully applied to quantitate P. aeruginosa in milk, glucose injection and human urine with acceptable recovery values ranging from 78.6% to 114.3%.
Insights
A novel electrochemiluminescent (ECL) biosensor was developed for detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). This phage-based sensor offers rapid, sensitive, and label-free P. aeruginosa quantification in various samples.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biosensor Technology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen causing significant healthcare-associated infections.
- Rapid and sensitive detection methods for P. aeruginosa are crucial for infection control and clinical diagnostics.
- Existing detection methods often lack specificity, speed, or require complex sample preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel electrochemiluminescent (ECL) biosensor for the label-free detection of P. aeruginosa.
- To utilize a specifically isolated virulent phage (PaP1) as a recognition element for P. aeruginosa.
- To evaluate the performance and applicability of the developed biosensor for real-world sample analysis.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of a virulent phage (PaP1) with specific binding affinity to P. aeruginosa.
- Fabrication of an ECL biosensor by immobilizing phage-conjugated carboxyl graphene on a glass carbon electrode.
- Detection principle based on the decrease in ECL signal due to the formation of a non-conductive biocomplex upon bacterial binding.
Main Results:
- The ECL biosensor demonstrated a linear response to P. aeruginosa concentration in the range of 1.4×10^2 - 1.4×10^6 CFUmL⁻¹.
- A low detection limit of 56 CFUmL⁻¹ was achieved for P. aeruginosa.
- The entire detection process was completed within 30 minutes.
- Successful quantification of P. aeruginosa in milk, glucose injection, and human urine samples with recovery rates from 78.6% to 114.3%.
Conclusions:
- The developed phage-conjugated ECL biosensor provides a sensitive, specific, and rapid method for P. aeruginosa detection.
- This biosensor shows great potential for point-of-care diagnostics and food/environmental safety monitoring.
- The label-free detection approach simplifies the assay and reduces analysis time.
