Affinity Peptide-guided Plasmonic Biosensor for Detection of Noroviral Protein and Human Norovirus

In this study, we developed an affinity peptide-guided plasmonic biosensor that is capable of detection for noroviral capsid proteins and human norovirus. Construction of plasmonic biosensor was achieved by immobilization of affinity peptides (named norovirus binding peptides) on the localized surface plasmonic sensor (LSPR) layer for detection of noroviral capsid proteins and human norovirus. The performance of the plasmonic biosensor in detection of their targets was monitored using LSPR techniques. This specific interaction is proportional to the absorbance of LSPR signals. The lowest detection value for noroviral capsid protein was 0.1 ng/mL in the presence of complex tissue culture media (MEM and FBS), and limit of detection (LOD) for human norovirus was found to be 9.9 copies/mL by the 3-sigma rule. Interestingly, no dynamic binding response with norovirus binding peptides as affinity reagent was observed against rotavirus, suggesting that norovirus binding peptides have high selectivity for human norovirus. Thus, norovirus binding peptide-guided plasmonic biosensor could be used for the detection of norovirus-related foodborne pathogens.