Fast detection of Salmonella Infantis with carbon nanotube field effect transistors

Biosens Bioelectron. 2008 Oct 15;24(2):279-83. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2008.03.046. Epub 2008 Apr 12.

Abstract

In this paper we report a fast, sensitive and label-free biosensor for the selective determination of Salmonella Infantis. It is based on a field effect transistor (FET) in which a network of single-walled carbon nantotubes (SWCNTs) acts as the conductor channel. Anti-Salmonella antibodies were adsorbed onto the SWCNTs and subsequently the SWCNTs were protected with Tween 20 to prevent the non-specific binding of other bacteria or proteins. Our FET devices were exposed to increasing concentrations of S. Infantis and were able to detect at least 100 cfu/mL in 1h. To evaluate the selectivity of our FET devices, Streptococcus pyogenes and Shigella sonnei were tested as potential competing bacteria for Salmonella. At a concentration of 500 cfu/mL, neither Streptococcus nor Shigella interfered with the detection of Salmonella. Therefore, these devices could be used as useful label-free platforms to detect S. Infantis and, by using the suitable antibody, other bacteria or viruses.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Colony Count, Microbial / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microelectrodes*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Salmonella / isolation & purification*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surface Properties
  • Transistors, Electronic*

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon