Dual labeled Ag@SiO2 core–shell nanoparticle based optical immunosensor for sensitive detection of E. coli

An optical nanobiosensor is presented using a fluorescent dye and anti-E. coli McAb anchored Ag@Silica core shell nanoparticles, for rapid and sensitive Escherichia coli detection in environmental samples. The synthesized dual labeled core shell (DLCS) nanoparticle shows intense fluorescence at 620 nm in solution, having a narrow emission with full width at half maxima (FWHM) of 10 nm, as a prerequisite to develop a sensitive detection platform for various biosensing applications. The specific E. coli was captured using an anti-E. coli antibody functionalized quartz glass, followed by a treatment with DLCS, where the photoluminescence spectroscopy was used to detect the target pathogen. The fabrication of the quartz glass based optical-immunosensor was monitored, and the results show changes in the photoluminescent patterns, which substantiate that varied species were immobilized on the surface of the antibody modified quartz glass. Consequently, the optical immunosensor demonstrated specificity and improved sensitivity, as compared to the customary methods, and was able to detect as low as 5 CFU/mL. The developed DLCS based optical immunosensor was evaluated with environmental water samples, which showed acceptable precision, reproducibility and stability, and could be readily applied to the routine monitoring of pathogenic microorganisms in the environmental samples, and most importantly, demonstrate the potential of a prototype development of a simple and inexpensive diagnostic technique.