Au-Fe3O4 heterodimer multifunctional nanoparticles-based platform for ultrasensitive naked-eye detection of Salmonella typhimurium

In this work, we developed an ultrasensitive colorimetry for Salmonella typhimurium detection with multifunctional Au-Fe3O4 dumbbell-like nanoparticles (DBNPs) which possessed easy bio-modifiability, excellent LSPR characteristics, superparamagnetic properties and super peroxidase-like activity. In the detection, the anti-S. typhimurium antibody modified DBNPs (IDBNPs) bound with S. typhimurium and aggregated on their surfaces in a large number, which showed much quicker magnetic response than free IDBNPs. By controlling appropriate separation conditions, IDBNPs@S. typhimurium composites were captured, while free IDBNPs were remained in the supernatant. Therefore, by detecting the absorbance of the supernatant, quantitative detection was achieved from 10 to 1000 CFU/mL. Moreover, utilizing the peroxidase-like activity of IDBNPs, we further realized semi-quantitative naked-eye detection. By adding ABTS into the above supernatant, which was oxidized to green chelate (OxABTS), colorimetric signal was amplified significantly, and meanwhile, the green chelates and the wine-red IDBNPs engendered mixed color, enhancing the range of color gradation and greatly improving the visual resolution. Finally, a detection limit (10 CFU/mL) comparable with that of above spectrum measurement was achieved. Besides, our method exhibited efficient capture capability (nearly 100% even for rare S. typhimurium), and had good stability and specificity, and acceptable anti-interference ability in fetal bovine serum and milk samples. [Display omitted] •Au-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were designed to integrate multiple functions in one.•Au-Fe3O4 showed high capture capacity to ultralow concentration of Salmonella.•An ultrasensitive naked-eye detection of Salmonella was achieved with Au-Fe3O4.•The method shows good specificity, reproducibility, and accuracy.