Rapid detection of Escherichia coli in aqueous samples by metabolic induced change in pH

Noah R. Baker; Leonard Y. Nelson; Eric J. Seibel

doi:10.1117/12.2545283

20 February 2020 Rapid detection of Escherichia coli in aqueous samples by metabolic induced change in pH

Noah R. Baker, Leonard Y. Nelson, Eric J. Seibel

Proceedings Volume 11233, Optical Fibers and Sensors for Medical Diagnostics and Treatment Applications XX; 112331E (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2545283
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2020, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Escherichia coli bacteria are a source of food related illness. If irrigation water is contaminated by fecal matter runoff, crops may become infected prior to harvesting, processing, or packaging. Existing test methods require 16-48 hours for confirmation of bacterial infection in the irrigation water. Therefore, providing a means for a rapid detection of water borne coliform and E. coli within a typical workday of 8-10 hours would allow a preventative response. We have developed a method to determine bacteria presence by a measure of metabolic activity with a spectral analysis system. Metabolic activity of live bacteria will appear as a drop in solution pH in a relatively short time frame during the growth phase of the cultured bacteria. A blue LED is used to excite fluorescein fluorescence in the bacterial growth media. The fluorescence exhibits pH sensitive spectral properties within a range of pH 4-7. Unmixing of the fluorescence spectral profile yields the pH and confirms a growing bacteria culture. Results can be provided in hours instead of days, depending on the initial concentration of living bacteria.

Citation Download Citation

Noah R. Baker, Leonard Y. Nelson, and Eric J. Seibel "Rapid detection of Escherichia coli in aqueous samples by metabolic induced change in pH", Proc. SPIE 11233, Optical Fibers and Sensors for Medical Diagnostics and Treatment Applications XX, 112331E (20 February 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2545283

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