Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria using Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Tehran have made a significant breakthrough in detecting pathogenic bacteria using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) aptasensor based on cerium oxide nanoparticles. According to the study, the strategy uses azithromycin-functionalized CeO nanoparticles and aptamer-modified gold nanoparticles to detect bacteria in milk and whey samples. The detection limit of the proposed method was estimated to be 1.04 cfu/mL, and the results were obtained within 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research presents a facile and sensitive FRET aptasensor for the detection of pathogenic bacteria using antibiotic-functionalized cerium oxide nanoparticles and aptamer-modified gold nanoparticles.
  • The spectral overlap between the two nanoparticles and the aptamer binding on the surface of the nanoparticles provides the condition for the FRET phenomenon to occur.
  • A good linear correlation between the fluorescence intensity of Azm-CeONPs and the concentration of bacteria was obtained in the range of 10-1.5 x 10 cfu/mL.
  • The detection limit of the proposed method was estimated to be 1.04 cfu/mL, and the results were obtained within 30 minutes.
  • The proposed method was applied to detect pathogens in real samples, indicating its applicability for other pathogenic bacterium recognition or synchronous detection.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Analytical Methods.

Statistics:

  • Detection limit: 1.04 cfu/mL
  • Linear correlation range: 10-1.5 x 10 cfu/mL
  • Sample analysis time: 30 minutes
  • Detection sensitivity: Sensitive FRET aptasensor

Sources:

  • NewsRx. University of Tehran Reports Findings in Nanoparticles (Detection of pathogenic bacteria in milk and whey samples using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer aptasensor based on cerium oxide nanoparticles). Nanotechnology Weekly. February 21, 2022; p 2412.
  • Detection of pathogenic bacteria in milk and whey samples using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer aptasensor based on cerium oxide nanoparticles. Analytical Methods, 2022.
  • Royal Soc Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Rd, Cambridge CB4 0WF, Cambs, England (Royal Society of Chemistry - www.rsc.org/; Analytical Methods - pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/journalissues/ay)