Aptamer-based magnetic isolation and specific detection system for Listeria monocytogenes from food samples

In this work, an aptamer-based magnetic system was designed for specific and rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples. To prepare the selective magnetic system against the target bacterium, firstly, magnetic particles (Fe3O4) were coated with two hydrophilic polymer layers. The specific aptamer immobilized magnetic system efficiently captured L. monocytogenes cells in a competitive response time of approximately 10 min. The magnetic aptamer detection system was very specific to L. monocytogenes and had high selective, up to 97.6 % compared to the Listeria species (Listeria ivanovii, Listeria innocua, and Listeria seeligeri) and other bacteria species Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Basillus subtilus. The isolation and detection of L. monocytogenes from food samples using the presented method are fast and reliable. Moreover, another significant factor to be contemplated is the use of a few chemicals for detection, reducing the cost of analysis, and the results can be obtained within 18 h.