Development of a pulse-induced electrochemical biosensor based on gluconamide for Gram-negative bacteria detection

Pathogenic bacteria can cause the outbreaks of disease and threaten human health, which stimulates the development of advanced detection techniques. Herein, a specific and sensitive electrochemical biosensor for Gram-negative bacteria was established based on the conductive polymer with artificial muscle properties. The effective recognition was achieved through the specific carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction between gluconamide and lipopolysaccharide. The application of impulse voltage enhances the efficiency of recognition and shortens the detection time through the temporary deformation of the electrode surface, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 × 10 0 CFU/mL and a linear range of 1 × 10 0 − 1 × 10 6 CFU/mL for Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). In addition to the merits of low cost, high efficiency, and rapidity, the developed label-free electrochemical biosensor can also be applicable for other Gram-negative bacteria, owning promising potential in the application of portable devices and paving a potential way for the construction of electrochemical biosensors. Graphical abstract