Detection of Pyocyanin Using a New Biodegradable SERS Biosensor Fabricated Using Gold Coated Zein Nanostructures...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes pyocyanin (PYO), a toxin relevant to cystic fibrosis.
• Current detection methods for PYO can be limited in sensitivity or speed.
• Development of rapid, sensitive, and biodegradable biosensors is crucial for environmental and clinical monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel biodegradable Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) platform for sensitive pyocyanin detection.
• To enhance the SERS signal using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on a zein film.
• To create a lab-on-a-chip sensor for rapid PYO detection in water.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a biodegradable zein film with an inverted pyramid nanostructure.
• Deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the zein film to create a SERS-active surface.
• Characterization of nanostructures and AuNPs using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Detection of pyocyanin (PYO) using the developed SERS platform.

Main Results:

• The zein-based SERS platform demonstrated enhanced Raman signals by approximately one order of magnitude.
• Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the size, distribution, and morphology of nanostructures and AuNPs.
• The sensor achieved a limit of detection for PYO at 25 μM.
• The biodegradable platform showed significant advantages over traditional silicon- or glass-based sensors.

Conclusions:

• A novel, biodegradable zein film SERS platform functionalized with AuNPs was successfully developed.
• The platform enables sensitive and rapid detection of pyocyanin, a toxin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• This lab-on-a-chip sensor offers a promising, eco-friendly alternative for PYO monitoring in water.