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A Photonic Immunosensor Detection Method for Viable and Non-Viable E. coli in Water Samples
Ana Fernández Blanco1, Yolanda Moreno2, Jorge García-Hernández3
1Lumensia Sensors S.L., 46020 Valencia, Spain.
Microorganisms
|July 27, 2024
Summary
A novel immunosensor detects viable and non-viable Escherichia coli (E. coli) in drinking water within 4 hours. This rapid, sensitive method offers improved microbiological water analysis for food safety and environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biosensing and immunosensing technologies
- Microbiological water quality assessment
- Food safety and environmental monitoring
Background:
- Traditional and molecular methods for E. coli detection are time-consuming and lack specificity for viable/non-viable bacteria.
- Accurate and rapid detection of E. coli is crucial for ensuring the safety of water intended for human consumption.
- Existing methods often struggle to differentiate between live and dead bacterial cells, impacting risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel immunosensor for the detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water samples.
- To provide a rapid, sensitive, and specific alternative to traditional microbiological water analysis methods.
- To enable the differentiation between viable and non-viable E. coli in disinfected water samples.
Main Methods:
- Development of a ring resonator-based immunosensor functionalized with specific antibodies against E. coli antigens.
- Utilized Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) to characterize antibody probes for B-galactosidase enzymes and LPS.
- Integrated the immunosensor with a microfluidic system for automated sample handling and analysis.
Main Results:
- The immunosensor demonstrated high specificity, detecting as low as 10 CFU/mL of viable and non-viable E. coli.
- Achieved a 100% detection rate and a Limit of Quantification of 100 CFU/mL across a wide concentration range (10-10^6 CFU/mL).
- Provided results in under 4 hours, significantly faster than conventional methods, with a correlation coefficient near one.
Conclusions:
- The developed immunosensor-coupled microfluidic system offers a sensitive, rapid, and reliable method for E. coli detection in drinking water.
- This technology is suitable for real-time monitoring in the food industry and environmental surveillance, enhancing water safety.
- The system's ability to detect both viable and non-viable bacteria paves the way for future simultaneous pathogen detection.
