Rapid measurement of the waterborne pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in different spiked water sources using electrochemical sensing: Towards on-site applications

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a waterborne ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that can be fatal for immunocompromised patients. Here, we report the use of paper-based screen-printed sensors for the electrochemical detection of P. aeruginosa in water sources in only 14 s. P. aeruginosa is identifiable by its unique biomarker pyocyanin, which is redox-active and therefore suitable for direct electrochemical detection without sample pretreatment. The detection method was applied to detect pyocyanin directly in spiked lake water, tap water, sea water and groundwater. The electrochemical response was linearly proportional to the pyocyanin concentration with R2 values between 0.9918 and 0.9991. Additionally, we demonstrated the direct detection of P. aeruginosa in water in concentrations ranging from 5 to 50 colonies/mL. The results are a step towards utilizing simple electrochemical sensing to rapidly determine if water sources are infected with P. aeruginosa prior to bathing, consumption or other use.

Automated summary

This study utilized paper-based screen-printed sensors for the electrochemical detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water sources. The unique biomarker pyocyanin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was directly detected without sample pretreatment. The electrochemical response was linearly proportional to the pyocyanin concentration and the detection method successfully identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa in low concentrations.