Carbohydrate-protein interaction-based detection of pathogenic bacteria using a biodegradable self-powered biosensor.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Battery-free sensors are crucial for remote environmental monitoring.
• Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) convert mechanical energy into electricity, potentially replacing batteries.
• Biodegradable sensors offer sustainable solutions for detecting biological contaminants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biodegradable sensor system integrated with TENG for detecting E. coli.
• To utilize a D-mannose functionalized polylactic acid (PLA) material for bacterial detection.
• To demonstrate a sustainable and efficient method for environmental bacterial screening.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a D-mannose functionalized 3D printed PLA sensor with a silver electrode.
• Integration of the sensor with a TENG for power generation and detection.
• Detection of E. coli based on carbohydrate-protein interactions and changes in electrical resistance.
• Testing the sensor's performance in environmental samples like tap water and milk.
• Evaluation of the biosensor's biodegradability in soil compost.

Main Results:

• The PLA TENG generated a significant output (70 V, 800 nA, 22 nC).
• The biosensor successfully detected E. coli in tap water (6 μA) and unpasteurized milk (5 μA).
• The sensor demonstrated measurable changes in output current corresponding to bacterial concentration.
• The biosensor exhibited biodegradability under controlled soil compost conditions.

Conclusions:

• A novel, battery-free, and biodegradable TENG-based biosensor for E. coli detection was successfully developed.
• The D-mannose functionalized PLA sensor provides an efficient and rapid method for bacterial screening.
• The study highlights the potential of TENG-based platforms for reliable and sustainable environmental monitoring.