Bacteriophage-Based Biosensor for Detection of E. coli Bacteria on Graphene Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria is one of the hazardous human pathogens. Consequently, developing the rapid and effective method for identification and quantization of E. coli is popular in biotechnological researches in recent years. Experimental: In this research, a label-free capacitance E. coli biosensor was fabricated based on immobilizing bacteriophage on the carbon paste electrode (Cp). Reduced graphene (RGr) was synthesized and used as a substrate for immobilization of bacteriophage on the Cp surface. E. coli bacteriophage was trapped in graphene modified carbon paste electrodes. The immobilization accuracy was confirmed via electrochemical techniques. The modified electrodes were applied as indicator electrodes for capacitance measurements of E. coli. Results: Through this method, E. coli was detected in a concentration range of 33x10-3 to 330x10-3 N L-1 (number of E. coli per Liter) with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a detection limit of 12x10-3 N L-1. Conclusion: The proposed biosensor has a fast response time of about 5 s and good selectivity over other bacteria.