Highly Sensitive Detection of Salmonella typhimurium Using a Colorimetric Paper-Based Analytical Device Coupled with Immunomagnetic Separation

Salmonella causes over a million foodborne illnesses per year in the United States resulting in more hospitalizations and deaths than any other foodborne bacterial pathogen. To help prevent outbreaks, a rapid, portable, sensitive, and reliable method for onsite detection of bacteria that can be used in different sample matrices would be beneficial. Herein, we present a colorimetric paper-based analytical device (PAD) combined with immunomagnetic separation (IMS) for detecting Salmonella typhimurium. IMS anti-Salmonella coated magnetic beads were applied to capture and separate bacteria from the sample matrix and preconcentrate it into small volumes before testing on paper. To directly detect S. typhimurium after IMS, a sandwich immunoassay was implemented into the procedure with β-galactosidase (β-gal) as the detection enzyme. Using the antibody/enzyme complex, we performed a colorimetric assay with chlorophenol red-β-d-galactopyranoside (CPRG) for bacteria quantification. The method was confirmed to be highly specific to S. typhimurium without interference from other pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli. Using this system, the limit of detection of S. typhimurium was found to be 102 CFU mL-1 in culturing solution without any pre-enrichment. In addition, distance-based detection where the concentration is read as the length of colored band formed on the reaction was also demonstrated. This assay had a detection limit of 102 CFU mL-1 for S. typhimurium, providing an instrument-free quantitative analysis alternative to spot tests, which require image analysis. Finally, the proposed platform was applied for detection of S. typhimurium in inoculated Starling bird fecal samples and whole milk with detection limits of 105 CFU g-1 and 103 CFU mL-1, respectively, and this is the first published paper-based detection method for S. typhimurium in bird feces and whole milk.