Ultrasensitive label-free immunochromatographic strip sensor for Salmonella determination based on salt-induced aggregated gold nanoparticles

Abstract Here we present an innovative label-free immunochromatographic strip (ICTS) sensor, in which salt-induced aggregated gold nanoparticles (SIA-AuNPs) act as the signal probe, allowing in 14 min the identification and sensitive quantification of Salmonella as model targets. It has been evidenced that SIA-AuNPs could be absorbed on the surface of bacteria based on van der Waals forces. The SIA-AuNPs@Salmonella complex was captured by anti-Salmonella polyclonal antibody deposited on the test zone. With the label-free ICTS sensor, we successfully detected Salmonella in a concentration range of 103–108 CFU/mL and a visual detection limit of 1 × 103 CFU/mL. The band of test zone could be distinguished at a concentration of 103 CFU/mL by naked eye, which is 100-fold lower than the cationic AuNPs based method. The strip sensor was further validated with real samples including cabbage and drinking water with excellent precision and showed to provide excellent recovery.