Rapid and sensitive whole cell E. coli detection using deep eutectic solvents/graphene oxide/gold nanoparticles...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biosensing
• Materials Science

Background:

• Gastrointestinal inflammation from E. coli is a significant health concern.
• Increasing antibiotic resistance and diagnostic challenges necessitate improved detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and selective Field-Effect Transistor (FET) based nanobiosensor for E. coli detection.
• To investigate the role of deep eutectic solvents (DES) in enhancing sensor performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a Field-Effect Transistor (FET) using graphene oxide (GO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified with DES.
• Immobilization of E. coli lipopolysaccharide aptamer on the DES/GO/AuNPs-FET surface.
• Detection of E. coli by monitoring changes in charge carrier flow.

Main Results:

• The DES/GO/AuNPs-FET demonstrated enhanced electrical properties and sensor performance.
• The nanobiosensor achieved highly selective detection of E. coli in complex matrices like human blood serum.
• A low limit of detection (LOD = 3 CFU/ml) was achieved with label-free, fast, and real-time detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed DES/GO/AuNPs-FET nanobiosensor is a promising, reliable alternative for rapid and sensitive E. coli detection.
• This technology can aid in the timely diagnosis of E. coli-related gastrointestinal inflammation and infections.