Affinity-based biosensors for pathogenic bacteria detection

Abstract

Bacteria are widely presented in any ecosystem, some of them are potentially harmful. In this context, detection of pathogenic bacteria in water, food and air is of great importance for human and environmental health. Although traditional microbiological methods are available, they are labour intensive and require well-trained personnel. To overcome these drawbacks, research directs to the development of efficient tools that offer precision, sensitivity, rapidity and ease of operation in situ. Biosensors appear as excellent analytical devices alternative or complementary to conventional methods. In this paper, we focus, in particular, on affinity based-biosensors divided on the basis of the method of signal transduction. This review covers several papers putting in evidence the improvement reached in this field of research.