Rapid fluorometric bacteria detection assay and photothermal effect by fluorescent polymer of coated surfaces and aqueous state

A fluorescent dye and a photothermal agent were grafted onto a cationic polymer for rapid and simple bacteria detection in liquid and solid phase based fluorescence on/off. The integrated poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) backbone with catechol and bromoethane moieties possesses unique optical properties due to the presence of boron dipyrromethane (BODIPY) and near infared NIR-responsive IR825 (F-PVP). The cationic segments showed distinct fluorescence quenching patterns after interaction with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria via polyion complex interactions. Fluorescence quenching depended on direct interaction of the bacterial cell membrane, as confirmed using SEM and confocal imaging. The detection limit was 1 mg/mL for the liquid-phase assay and the minimal detectable concentration of bacteria using the solid-phase assay was 106 CFU/mL. After bacterial detection in contaminated area, our system can directly kill bacteria via the photothermal conversion ability of the IR825 substituent using NIR exposure by polymer solution and limited in coated PP. Finally, the proposed biosensor is capable as potential material for detection of bacteria in simple liquid and solid phase assay.