Rapid and sensitive whole cell E. coli detection using deep eutectic solvents/graphene oxide/gold nanoparticles field-effect transistor

Every year, millions of people suffer from gastrointestinal inflammation caused by E. coli. The increase of antibiotic-resistant strains and similar inflammatory and infectious syndromes symptoms have made rapid and sensitive diagnosis of this pathogen challenging. This study developed a Field-Effect Transistor based on deep eutectic solvents, graphene oxide, and gold nanoparticles (DES/GO/AuNPs-FET) to detect E. coli. Comparing the output current showed DES, which was a mixture of ethylene glycol and choline chloride, with ionic behavior, in addition to improving the electrical properties of GO, also led to the formation of AuNPs by self-assembly, which significantly increased the sensor's sensing performance. E. coli lipopolysaccharide aptamer immobilized on DES/GO/AuNPs-FET; capturing E. coli and changing the conformation caused changes in the charge carrier flow in the FET. This nanobiosensor detected E. coli in a completely selective manner in complex matrices like human blood serum. The excellent sensing performance of this nanobiosensor compared to other biosensors with a low detection limit (LOD = 3 CFU/ml), label-free, fast, and real-time detection showed that DES/GO/AuNPs-FET could be a reliable alternative to existing detection methods. [Display omitted] •Nanobiosensor based on the DES/GO/AuNPs Field-Effect-Transistor to detect E. coli.•DES with ionic behavior, improves the electrical properties of GO.•AuNPs formation on DES/GO improves the electrical conductivity of the FET.•DES/GO/AuNPs FET has excellent sensing performance with a LOD = 3 CFU/ml.•DES/GO/AuNPs FET detect E. coli selectively in human blood serum less than 15 min.