Simultaneous detection of multispecies foodborne pathogens using multiple phage-functionalized nanozyme

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Food Science

Background:

• Foodborne pathogens pose significant risks to public health.
• Accurate and rapid detection methods are crucial for food safety.
• Existing methods often struggle with multiplex detection and complex matrices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel colorimetric strategy for multiplex detection of foodborne pathogens.
• To integrate phage-specific recognition with nanozyme signal amplification.
• To provide a versatile tool for food safety surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of oxidase-like FeCoCe nanoflower (FeCoCe NF) nanozymes.
• Immobilization of specific phages (EhpYZU20, SalmpYZU54, SapYZUH5) onto FeCoCe NF.
• Colorimetric detection assay utilizing TMB chromogenic reaction catalyzed by nanozymes.
• Application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) for differentiation.

Main Results:

• Individual detection limits: 56.34 CFU mL⁻¹ (E. hormaechei), 39.14 CFU mL⁻¹ (S. enteritidis), 74.36 CFU mL⁻¹ (S. aureus).
• Multiplex detection limits: 21.67–31.84 CFU mL⁻¹ for simultaneous quantification.
• Demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, and anti-interference capability.
• Successful differentiation of pathogens using PCA and HCA.

Conclusions:

• The developed phage-functionalized nanozyme strategy offers a robust platform for multiplex pathogen detection.
• This method provides a sensitive, specific, and versatile tool for food safety applications.
• The approach effectively addresses challenges in complex food matrices and multi-pathogen contamination scenarios.