Detection of Microplastics Pollution Using a Green Fluorescent Protein-Based Microbial Biosensor Coupled with Raman...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Plastic pollution, particularly microplastics (MPs), poses a significant environmental and health threat.
• Current MP detection methods are often time-consuming or expensive.
• There is a need for sensitive, cost-effective tools to assess MP contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, cost-effective microbial biosensor for detecting microplastics (MPs).
• To establish a sensitive and efficient method for quantifying MP pollution in aquatic systems.

Main Methods:

• Engineered *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* to act as a green fluorescent protein-based biosensor.
• Validated biosensor sensitivity with a detection limit of 1 ng/mL.
• Combined microbial biosensor with Raman microspectroscopy for detecting biodegradable MPs in seawater samples.

Main Results:

• The biosensor produced detectable fluorescence signals within 3 hours.
• Demonstrated a detection limit (1 ng/mL) more sensitive than existing analytical methods.
• Established a standard curve for convenient MP concentration measurement and successfully detected MPs in environmental samples.

Conclusions:

• Microbial biosensors offer a novel, cost-effective, and rapid approach for assessing MP presence and concentration.
• This technology enables convenient monitoring of environmental microplastic pollution.
• The developed method shows promise for widespread application in environmental surveillance.