Development of a calcium phosphate nanocomposite for fast fluorogenic detection of bacteria

Molecules. 2014 Sep 5;19(9):13948-64. doi: 10.3390/molecules190913948.

Abstract

Current procedures for the detection and identification of bacterial infections are laborious, time-consuming, and require a high workload and well-equipped laboratories. Therefore the work presented herein developed a simple, fast, and low cost method for bacterial detection based on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with a nutritive mixture and the fluorogenic substrate. Calcium phosphate ceramic nanoparticles were characterized and integrated with a nutritive mixture for the early detection of bacteria by visual as well as fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The composite was obtained by combining calcium phosphate nanoparticles (Ca:P ratio, 1.33:1) with a nutritive mixture of protein hydrolysates and carbon sources, which promote fast bacterial multiplication, and the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbellipheryl-β-D-glucuronide (MUG). The composite had an average particle size of 173.2 nm and did not show antibacterial activity against Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. After an Escherichia coli suspension was in contact with the composite for 60-90 min, fluorescence detected under UV light or by fluorescence spectrophotometer indicated the presence of bacteria. Intense fluorescence was observed after incubation for a maximum of 90 min. Thus, this calcium phosphate nanocomposite system may be useful as a model for the development of other nanoparticle composites for detection of early bacterial adhesion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Ceramics / chemistry*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyapatites / chemistry*
  • Hydroxyapatites / pharmacology
  • Limit of Detection
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanocomposites / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Hydroxyapatites