Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
09:56
Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales
Published on: August 21, 2019
Reflectance-based optical sensor for real-time detection and quantification of biofilms in complex matrices
Sonali Rana1, Lata Sheo Bachan Upadhyay1, Nikhil Kumar2
1Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Raipur, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492010, India.
Methods (San Diego, Calif.)
|May 10, 2026
Summary
A new portable optical sensor offers rapid bacterial biofilm detection using colorimetric analysis. This cost-efficient system provides accurate quantification for public health and environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Biofilm detection is crucial for public health and environmental safety.
- Conventional methods are limited by complexity, cost, and time.
- Reflectance-based platforms offer simpler, more accessible alternatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a portable, cost-efficient optical sensor for bacterial biofilm detection.
- To utilize methylene blue-mediated colorimetric analysis for quantification.
- To provide a rapid and accurate method for on-site biofilm monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Designed a reflectance-based optical sensor integrating a paper-based analytical device (PAD).
- Employed a microcontroller, light-dependent resistor (LDR), LED, and OLED display for reflectance monitoring.
- Optimized PAD with methylene blue for interaction with extracellular matrix components.
Main Results:
- The sensor demonstrated effective interaction with bacterial extracellular matrix constituents.
- Achieved a strong correlation (R² = 0.9946) with microtiter plate assays, indicating high accuracy.
- Confirmed the sensor's sensitivity and reproducibility for biofilm quantification.
Conclusions:
- The developed sensor offers a reproducible, rapid, and efficient approach for biofilm quantification.
- This technology has potential applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial microbiology.
- The system provides a cost-effective solution for high-throughput biofilm screening.
