Rationalizing and advancing the 3-MPBA SERS sandwich assay for rapid detection of bacteria in environmental and food matrices

• Published in: Food microbiology Vol. 72; pp. 89 - 97
• Main Authors: Pearson, Brooke, Mills, Alexander, Tucker, Madeline, Gao, Siyue, McLandsborough, Lynne, He, Lili
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Bacteria - chemistry; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacteria - metabolism; Bacteria detection; Boronic Acids - analysis; Boronic Acids - metabolism; Food Contamination - analysis; Food matrices; Mercaptophenylboronic acid; Ponds - microbiology; SERS; Spectrum Analysis, Raman - methods; Spinacia oleracea - microbiology; TSB; CDC; VBNC; SE 1045; Food matrices; APC; SERS; GASP; EPA; Bacteria detection; 3-MPBA; Mercaptophenylboronic acid; PCR; ELISA
• ISSN: 0740-0020; 1095-9998
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2017.11.007

Bacterial foodborne illness continues to be a pressing issue in our food supply. Rapid detection methods are needed for perishable foods due to their short shelf lives and significant contribution to foodborne illness. Previously, a sensitive and reliable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sandwich assay based on 3-mercaptophenylboronic acid (3-MBPA) as a capturer and indicator molecule was developed for rapid bacteria detection. In this study, we explored the advantages and constraints of this assay over the conventional aerobic plate count (APC) method and further developed methods for detection in real environmental and food matrices. The SERS sandwich assay was able to detect environmental bacteria in pond water and on spinach leaves at higher levels than the APC method. In addition, the SERS assay appeared to have higher sensitivity to quantify bacteria in the stationary phase. On the other hand, the APC method was more sensitive to cell viability. Finally, a method to detect bacteria in a challenging high-sugar juice matrix was developed to enhance bacteria capture. This study advanced the SERS technique for real applications in environment and food matrices. •Bacteria detection using a 3-MPBA SERS assay and culture methods are compared.•The SERS assay had better bacteria quantification ability in the stationary phase.•The SERS assay could detect bacteria in pond water, apple juice and spinach leaves.•Strategies to detect bacteria in food matrixes using the SERS assay are discussed.•A method was developed for capturing bacteria in a high sugar matrix.