ZIF-8@GOx@PtNPs driven three-mode portable biosensor: smartphone-assisted sensitive detection of EHEC O157:H7 in food...

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC O157:H7) is an important zoonotic pathogen threatening global food safety. The development of rapid and sensitive on-site detection technologies is of great significance for preventing foodborne disease outbreaks. In this study, a tri-mode portable biosensor integrating magnetic separation (Fe₃O₄), nanozyme catalysis (ZIF-8@GOx@PtNPs), and smartphone assisted detection was constructed for the point-of-care detection of EHEC O157:H7. By simultaneously loading glucose oxidase (GOx) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on the ZIF-8 scaffold, its dual catalytic activities were utilized: GOx catalyzes the oxidation of glucose to generate H₂O₂; PtNPs exhibit peroxidase-like activity to catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H₂O₂. Three signals were generated to trigger three detection modes: i. glucose consumption signal read by a smartphone blood glucose meter; ii. photothermal signal monitored by a smartphone infrared thermometer; and iii. colorimetric signal captured by a smartphone camera. The system achieved a detection limit of 9 CFU/mL within 50 min, with a linear range of 10¹ - 10⁹ CFU/mL. The tri-mode signals verified each other, significantly improving detection reliability, and the recoveries for milk, meat, and orange juice were 92.7% - 108.6%. This biosensor enables on-site multi-modal detection of EHEC O157:H7, providing an innovative technical approach for food processing supervision, water source safety assessment, and livestock health monitoring. Its modular design can be extended to the detection of other foodborne pathogens.