The rapid and decentralized detection of bacteria from biomedical, environmental, and food samples has the capacity to improve the conventional protocols and to change a predictable outcome. Identifying new markers and analysis methods represents an attractive strategy for the indirect but simpler and safer detection of pathogens that could replace existing methods. Enterobactin (Ent), a siderophore produced by Escherichia coli or other Gram-negative bacteria, was studied on different electrode materials to reveal its electrochemical fingerprint-very useful information towards the detection of the bacteria based on this analyte. The molecule was successfully identified in culture media samples and a future goal is the development of a rapid antibiogram. The presence of Ent was also assessed in wastewater and treated water samples collected from the municipal sewage treatment plant, groundwater, and tap water. Moreover, a custom configuration printed on a medical glove was employed to detect the target in the presence of another bacterial marker, namely pyocyanin (PyoC), that being a metabolite specific of another pathogen bacterium, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Such new mobile and wearable platforms offer considerable promise for rapid low-cost on-site screening of bacterial contamination.
Keywords: Escherichia coli; analytical methods; culture media; electrochemical; enterobactin; printed electrodes; wearable sensors.