The low-cost multi-channel biosensor for the quick detection of different food pathogens

This study introduces an innovative biosensor designed to utilize specific enzymatic activities of extracellular pathogens enzymes to enable rapid, sensitive, and specific pathogens detection. The biosensor employs a multi-layer construction that includes a measuring chamber, an enzyme-sensitive stopping barrier that is waterproof and sensitive to enzymatic degradation, and a color development system. The key innovation lies in the stopping layer, which is composed of materials specifically selected for their susceptibility to degradation by pathogen-secreted enzymes. This design allows the biosensor to detect enzymatic activity indicative of pathogen presence, triggering a visible response when bacterial enzymes degrade the layer and permit fluid to activate the color development system. Results demonstrated that the biosensor could effectively identify significant pathogens, such as Bacillus and Staphylococcus species, with high sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, the biosensor responded differently to pathogen presence depending on the food matrix, illustrating the influence of food composition on sensor functionality.