Vanadium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks with Peroxidase-like Activity as a Colorimetric Sensing Platform for Direct Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides.

Colorimetry based on the bioenzyme inhibition strategy holds promising application prospects in the field of organophosphorus pesticide (OPs) detection. However, overcoming the challenges of the high cost and low stability of bioenzymes remains crucial. In this study, we successfully synthesized a peroxidase vanadium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) nanozyme named MIL-88B(V) and employed its mediated bioenzyme-free colorimetric strategy for direct OPs detection. The experimental results demonstrated that MIL-88B(V) exhibited a remarkable affinity and a remarkable catalytic rate. When the OPs target is added, it can be anchored on the MOF surface through a V-O-P bond, effectively inhibiting the MOF's activity. Subsequently, leveraging the advantages of smartphones such as convenience, speed, and sensitivity, we developed a paper sensor integrated into a smartphone for efficient OPs detection. The as-designed nanozyme-based colorimetric assay and paper sensor presented herein offer notable advantages, including affordability, speed, stability, wide adaptability, low cost, and accuracy in detecting OPs, thus providing a versatile and promising analytical approach for real sample analysis and allowing new applications of V-based MOF nanozymes.

A photoelectrochemical biosensor for rapid and ultrasensitive norovirus detection.

The highly contagious norovirus (NoV) is the most common causative agent of acute gastroenteritis, resulting in >200,000 deaths worldwide annually. A rapid and sensitive detection method is a prerequisite for effective prevention and timely identification of NoV contamination. In the present study, we developed a photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor coupled with a novel custom-made monoclonal antibody (mAb) for specific and sensitive NoV detection. Our system could detect levels of recombinant NoV capsid protein VP1 as low as 2 × 10-10 g mL-1 (4.9 pM) within 30 min in a concentration-dependent manner. More importantly, the biosensor was versatile in detecting virus isolated from real samples that were as low as 46 copies µL-1. These findings indicate that this system has the potential to serve as a convenient point-of-care system for diagnosing NoV infection and detecting NoV-contaminated food samples.

Establishment and application of a 10-plex liquid bead array for the simultaneous rapid detection of animal species.

BACKGROUND: Meat fraud and adulteration incidents occur frequently in almost all regions of the globe, especially with the increase in the world's population. To ensure the authenticity of meat products, we developed a 10-plex xMAP assay to simultaneously detect ten animal materials: bovine, caprine, poultry, swine, donkey, deer, horse, dog, fox and mink. RESULTS: This method was investigated by analyzing DNA extracts from raw muscle, muscle mixtures, meat products and animal feeds. Our results indicated that the species of interest can be identified, differentiated and detected down to 1 g kg-1 in binary mixtures or 0.01-0.001 ng of genomic DNA from specific species. Testing of 125 commercial samples showed a 97.4% coincidence rate with the method used in routine testing in our lab. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the method established in this study could detect ten animal materials simultaneously within 3 h, which provides a new, useful tool for animal ingredient analysis in meat products and animal feeds. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

A novel multiplex xMAP assay for generic detection of avian, fish, and ruminant DNA in feed and feedstuffs.

The identification of animal species in feed and feedstuffs is important for detecting contamination and fraudulent replacement of animal components that might cause health and economic problems. A novel multiplex assay, based on xMAP technology and the generic detection of closely related species, was developed for the simultaneous differential detection of avian, fish, and ruminant DNA in products. Universal primers and probes specific to avian, fish, or ruminant species were designed to target a conserved mitochondrial DNA sequence in the 12S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA). The assay specificity was validated using samples of 27 target and 10 nontarget animal species. The limits of detection of the purified DNA were determined to be 0.2 pg/µL-0.1 ng/µL by testing the meat samples of six species and four feedstuffs. The detection sensitivity of the experimental mixtures was demonstrated to be 0.01% (weight percentage). The assay's suitability for practical application was evaluated by testing feed samples; unlabeled animal ingredients were detected in 32% of the 56 samples. The assay differentially detected the three targeted categories of animal species in less than 2 h, reflecting improvements in speed and efficiency. Based on these results, this novel multiplex xMAP assay provides a reliable and highly efficient technology for the routine detection of animal species in feed and other products for which this information is needed.

Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Bacteria Response to Antibiotics Using Nanoporous Membrane and Graphene Quantum Dot (GQDs)-Based Electrochemical Biosensors.

The wide abuse of antibiotics has accelerated bacterial multiresistance, which means there is a need to develop tools for rapid detection and characterization of bacterial response to antibiotics in the management of infections. In the study, an electrochemical biosensor based on nanoporous alumina membrane and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was developed for bacterial response to antibiotics detection. Anti-Salmonella antibody was conjugated with amino-modified GQDs by glutaraldehyde and immobilized on silanized nanoporous alumina membranes for Salmonella bacteria capture. The impedance signals across nanoporous membranes could monitor the capture of bacteria on nanoporous membranes as well as bacterial response to antibiotics. This nanoporous membrane and GQD-based electrochemical biosensor achieved rapid detection of bacterial response to antibiotics within 30 min, and the detection limit could reach the pM level. It was capable of investigating the response of bacteria exposed to antibiotics much more rapidly and conveniently than traditional tools. The capability of studying the dynamic effects of antibiotics on bacteria has potential applications in the field of monitoring disease therapy, detecting comprehensive food safety hazards and even life in hostile environment.

[Faster detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in foods by FQ-PCR technique].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid and accurate qualitative and quantitative method to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus in food. METHODS: Primers and Taqman probe were designed according to the sequence of gyrase gene of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The PCR fragment was cloned into PTM vector and was used as positive template for establishing the criterion curve. The simulated samples, made from negative food samples with Vibrio parahaemolyticus positive strain, were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the PCR reaction. 8 Vibrio parahaemolyticus standard strains and other 24 negative strains (8 strains were Vibrionaceae other than Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the rest 16 strains were none-Vibrionaceae) were treated in the same way to evaluate the specificity. All samples were detected with PE7000 sequence detection system and DA620 fluorescene detection system. RESULTS: FQ-PCR method had good specificity and high sensitivity. All 8 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus tested showed positive results while all other 24 strains were negative (8 strains were Vibrionaceae, 16 strain were from different). The correlation was 0.9871 between the concentration of positive template and the quantitative curve circular threshold. The threshold for detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus in pure culture is 10 cfu/ml, and the threshold is as low as 2 cfu/ml with 16 simulative samples after these samples were incubated for a period of time. By direct quantitative detection for uncultured 16 food samples, the threshold is 100 cfu/g. CONCLUSION: FQ-PCR method has high sensitivity and specificity, and it is a handy and rapid detection method. Comparing with regular PCR method, it is not easily contaminated in operation, and can achieve high sensitivity and specificity with domestic instruments. FQ-PCR method has potential and applied value for detection of pathogenic bacteria in food.