Electrochemical Characterization of Nitrocellulose Membranes towards Bacterial Detection in Water

Paper substrates have shown a high potential for development of cost-effective and efficient point-of-care biosensors, essential for public healthcare and environmental diagnostics. Most paper-based biosensors rely on qualitative colorimetric detection schemes with high limits of detection. To overcome this limitation, technologies that combine paper-based substrates and electrochemical detection are being developed to allow for quantification and achieve better performances. In this work, we explore the potential of dielectric measurements towards electrical detection of whole-cell bacteria in nitrocellulose membranes, a paper-derivative. Impedance spectroscopy was considered to characterize the membranes with and without Bacillus thuringiensis cells, used as model microorganism. To specifically target this bacterial strain, phage endolysin cell- wall binding domain (CBD) encoded by a bacteriophage targeting B. thuringiensis were prepared and integrated into the membranes as recognition biointerface. The fluid sample containing the bacteria is conducted in the membrane through passive capillarity, and the bacteria are specifically immobilized in the test zone. Resulting changes of the dielectric properties of the membrane are sensed through impedance changes, highlighting the contribution of ions in the bacterial detection mechanism. This experimental proof-of-concept illustrates the electrical detection of 108 CFU/mL bacteria in low-salinity buffers within 5 min.

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Le Brun, G., Hauwaert, M., Leprince, A., Glinel, K., Mahillon, J., & Raskin, J.-P. (2020). Electrochemical Characterization of Nitrocellulose Membranes towards Bacterial Detection in Water. Proceedings, 60(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/iecb2020-07080 (Original work published 2020)