Electro-acoustic sensor for the real-time identification of the bacteriophages

The electro-acoustical sensor for the real-time identification of the bacteriophage FAl-SR65 is described. The polyclonal antibodies specific to the bacteriophage FAl-SR65 were for the first time obtained, and the possibility of their application to the bacteriophage detection by using the electro-acoustical method of analysis was also studied for the first time. The electro-acoustical sensor was based on the lateral electric field excited piezoelectric resonator. The frequency dependences of the real and imaginary parts of the electrical impedance of such a resonator, loaded with the virus-antibody suspension, significantly differed from those measured for the same resonator with the same virus suspension but without antibodies (control). The limit for the reliable bacteriophage detection during their interaction with the antibodies (sensitivity level) was determined to be 106 phages ml−1. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility to record the bacteriophage–antibody interactions and can be used as the basis for the development of the biological sensor for the quantitative virus detection. [Display omitted] •Piezo-resonator was used for the detection of bacteriophages in liquid phase.•Phage detection is based on registration of its interaction with specific antibodies.•Phage detection does not use immobilization of antibodies at the resonator surface.