A novel electrochemical biosensor based on peptidoglycan and platinum-nickel-copper nano-cube for rapid detection of Gram-positive bacteria

A novel non-enzyme electrochemical biosensor for the rapid detection of Gram-positive bacteria has been constructed that relys on a stable and efficient combination between the peptidoglycan layer and platinum-nickel-copper nanocubes (Pt-Ni-Cu NCs). Briefly, bacteria were first captured by a specific antibody. Then, the electrochemical signal materials (Pt-Ni-Cu NCs) were bound to the bacteria peptidoglycan layer using specific structural and surface features. The rapid and sensitive bacterial detection was then achieved using intrinsic electrochemical characteristics and superoxidase-like activity of the Pt-Ni-Cu NCs. Moreover, the nature of peptidoglycan covering the whole bacteria provided the premise for signal amplification. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical signal variation was proportional to the concentration of bacteria ranging from 1.5 × 102 to 1.5 × 108 CFU/mL with a detection limit of 42 CFU/mL using a working potential of − 0.4 V. This electrochemical biosensor has been successfully applied to detect bacteria concentrations in urine samples, and the recoveries range from 90.4 to 107%. The proposed biosensor could be applied for broad-spectrum detection of Gram-positive bacteria since most Gram-positive bacteria possess a thick peptidoglycan layer. The developed electrochemical biosensing strategy might be used as a potential tool for clinical pathogenic bacteria detection and point-of-care testing (POCT).