Point-of-care assay to detect foodborne pathogenic bacteria using a low-cost disposable medical infusion extension line as readout and MnO2 nanoflowers

Abstract

The extended application of low cost disposable infusion extension lines, used primarily in the medical field, is limited. In this study, a facile signal readout method was developed for point-of-care (POC) detection of foodborne pathogenic bacteria using disposable medical infusion extension lines. Herein, organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers loaded with sufficient MnO2 have been easily prepared. The MnO2 nanoflowers with pathogenic bacteria recognition function decomposed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into oxygen (O2), an amplified gas signal, which was measured by a disposable medical infusion extension line. The generation of O2 from H2O2 by the catalytic dissociation of MnO2 nanoflowers increased the pressure in a confined space. Dye was then pushed along the channel of the disposable medical infusion extension line, connected to a sealed glass vial via a needle. The distance moved by the dye, which was detectable by the naked eye, was proportional to the concentration of foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Experimental results showed detection limits as low as 101 CFU/mL for Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli O157:H7. The biosensor method based on a low-cost disposable medical infusion extension line gas signal readout was a powerful tool for POC testing of foodborne pathogenic bacteria under resource-limited settings.