Biosensor based on hybrid composite and Concanavalin a lectin for microorganisms differentiation

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Rapid identification of Candida species is crucial for treating candidemia, especially in critical care.
• Hybrid compounds offer synergistic properties for microbiological detection and control.
• Lectins and nanomaterials enhance biosensor sensitivity and specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an electrochemical biosensor for rapid and selective detection of Candida species.
• To utilize a hybrid nanocomposite for improved microorganism-sensor interface.
• To leverage Concanavalin A (ConA) lectin for Candida recognition.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an electrochemical biosensor using a self-assembling monolayer of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA).
• Incorporation of a hybrid nanocomposite (Fe3O4@Chit@Au) with Concanavalin A (ConA) as the biorecognition element.
• Electrochemical analysis for selective response to Candida species.

Main Results:

• The biosensor demonstrated selective electrochemical responses to Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.
• Bacterial species showed significantly reduced signals, indicating specificity.
• A limit of detection of 0.71 CFU.mL⁻¹ and limit of quantification of 2.39 CFU.mL⁻¹ for C. albicans were achieved.

Conclusions:

• Lectin-based electrochemical platforms can effectively identify and distinguish clinically significant microorganisms.
• The developed hybrid biosensor shows promise for rapid candidemia diagnosis in critical care.
• This approach highlights the potential of nanomaterial-lectin conjugates in biosensing applications.