A colorimetric sensor for Staphylococcus aureus detection based on controlled click chemical-induced aggregation of...

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a pathogen closely associated with foodborne diseases. We prepared a reliable colorimetric sensor to detect S. aureus using click chemical reaction and immunomagnetic separation. Aptamer-functionalized and ALP-labeled Fe₃O₄ NPs act as separation and signal transduction elements. Under the optimized conditions, the Cu⁺ generated by signal transduction triggers a click chemistry reaction, which causes the aggregation of azides and alkyne-AuNPs and a color change. The net extinction ratio of Δ(A₅₃₀/A₇₆₀) was linearly correlated with the S. aureus concentration from 10 to 10⁶ cfu mL^-1, and the limit detection was 2.4 cfu mL^-1. The recoveries were 91.15 ~ 106.36% for the analysis of spiked food and water samples without pre-enrichment. Therefore, we believe that the detection platform can be easily and accurately used for S. aureus detection, providing a broad prospect for on-site visual detection.