Food Poisoning Bacteria Detector Developed Using Scattered Colors in Nanoparticles That Can Quickly Identify Toxins

Scientists have recently developed a simple, rapid approach for simultaneously identifying multiple food poisoning bacteria, based on differences in color in the scattered light by NHs or nanometer-scaled organic material nanohybrid structures that bind through antibodies in those bacteria.

This method by researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University is a promising mechanism for quickly detecting bacteria at "food manufacturing sites" and therefore, improving food safety, as specified in a EurekAlert! report.

According to World Health Organization, every year, food poisoning is affecting 600 million globally, nearly one in every 10 individuals, of which 420,000 people are dying.

Essentially, bacterial tests are performed to detect food poisoning bacteria at food manufacturing factories, although it takes longer than 48 hours to get results because of the time needed for a bacteria incubation process known as culturing.

Consequently, there remains a need for rapid testing approaches to eradicate food poisoning accidents.

Metal NHs Generated

Addressing such need, in this study with findings published in Analytical Chemistry, led by Professor Hiroshi Shiigi at the Graduate School of Engineering in Osaka Metropolitan University, used the optical properties of organic metal NHs, composites of polyaniline particles encapsulating a large number of metal nanoparticles. This quickly and simultaneously identify food poisoning-inducing microbes known as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

The research team first discovered that metal NHs generated stronger scattered light than metal nanoparticles of the same size.

Since the NHs' scattered light is stable in the air for a long period, they are expected to work as stable and highly sensitive labeling materials.

Moreover, it has been revealed that these NHs are exhibiting colors of scattered light including white, blue, and red depending on the nanoparticles' metal elements like gold, copper, and silver.

A New Bacterial Testing Approach

The researchers introduced antibodies that bind particularly to E. coli O26, E. coli O157, and S. aureus into the organic metal NHs, and used the latter as labels to examine the binding properties of the antibody-conjugated NHs to certain bacterial species.

Consequently, E. coli O26, E. coli O157, and S. aureus were observed as red, blue, and white scattered light, respectively, under the microscope.

Moreover, when adding predetermined amounts of the said bacteria to rotten meat specimens that have various bacteria species, the researchers succeeded in utilizing the labels to simultaneously determine each microbial species added.

This approach can determine different types of bacteria by changing the antibodies to be introduced. Additionally, since it does not necessitate culturing, microbes can be quickly detected within one hour, increasing its practicality as a new approach for testing.

A Contribution to Food Safety and Security

Commenting on the findings, Professor Shiigi said they're aiming to establish new detection principles and testing approaches through the development of distinctive nano-biomaterials.

Through this development, as indicated in a similar Nanowerk approach, the team hopes to contribute not just to food safety and security, but to the formation of a safe and affluent society in terms of stable supply and quality control of functional medical care, and public health.

Related information about dangerous germs is shown on Interesting Engineering's YouTube video below:

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