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Identification and Quantification of Multiple Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Based on a Plasmonic Sensor Array
Yang Zhang1, Chuping Zhao1, Kaiyi Zheng1
1School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|March 27, 2025
Summary
This study presents a novel plasmonic sensor array for rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). The advanced sensor array effectively distinguishes E. coli strains in food samples, enhancing food safety.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Sensor Development
- Microbiology and Foodborne Pathogen Detection
- Spectroscopy and Light Scattering Techniques
Background:
- Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a significant foodborne pathogen, posing challenges due to its genetic diversity and high mutation rates.
- Accurate and rapid identification of E. coli subtypes is crucial for effective food safety monitoring and clinical diagnostics, but current methods can be prone to errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a plasmonic sensor array capable of selective discrimination of pathogenic E. coli strains.
- To integrate multiple high-dimensional signal readouts for enhanced detection capabilities.
- To validate the sensor array's performance in real food samples for practical applications.
Main Methods:
- Development of a plasmonic sensor array utilizing high-dimensional signal readouts: ζ-potential, dynamic light-scattering (DLS), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and UV-vis absorption spectra.
- Integration of the sensor array with bacterial isolation culture methods for sample preparation and analysis.
- Testing the sensor array's ability to differentiate E. coli strains, identify bacterial mixtures, and perform quantitative detection at low concentrations (10^4 CFU/mL).
Main Results:
- The plasmonic sensor array demonstrated strong encoding capabilities, enabling differentiation of subtle variations among E. coli strains with excellent anti-interference performance.
- The array successfully identified different pathogenic E. coli strains, bacterial mixtures, and achieved quantitative detection.
- When combined with bacterial culture, the sensor array achieved 100% accuracy in detecting E. coli in real food samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed plasmonic sensor array offers a sensitive, rapid, and reliable method for detecting pathogenic E. coli.
- The sensor array's multi-modal detection approach enhances specificity and reduces false positives.
- This technology holds significant potential for improving food safety monitoring and clinical diagnostics by providing accurate pathogen detection in complex sample matrices.
