A Spore-Based Biosensor-on-Pillar Platform for Detecting ß-Lactam Antibiotics in Milk.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biosensor Technology
• Food Safety Science

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, diminishing antibiotic efficacy.
• Beta-lactam antibiotics are prevalent in dairy farming, raising concerns about their presence in the food chain.
• Rapid and reliable detection methods for antibiotics in milk are essential for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a miniaturized, cost-effective biosensor for rapid detection of beta-lactam antibiotics in milk.
• To create a user-friendly platform suitable for resource-limited settings.
• To ensure milk safety by identifying antibiotic residues.

Main Methods:

• Development of a Biosensor-on-Pillar platform utilizing enzyme induction.
• Employing Bacillus cereus spore germination to detect beta-lactam antibiotics via beta-lactamase production.
• Utilizing a chromogenic substrate on paper for visual detection and quantification.

Main Results:

• The biosensor successfully detected 12 beta-lactam antibiotics with limits of detection (LODs) from 1 to 1000 ppb.
• Sensitivity achieved was at or below regulatory Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for most tested antibiotics.
• Validation against a gold-standard method using blind milk samples showed significant results.

Conclusions:

• The developed biosensor offers a rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution for screening beta-lactam antibiotics in milk.
• This technology has promising potential for high-throughput analysis in the dairy industry.
• The biosensor contributes to enhanced food safety and mitigation of AMR.