(210b) Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Pathogenic E. coli

Pathogenic E. coli are a significant threat as a foodborne pathogen and a cause of urinary tract infections. Conventional methods to detect these microbes require centralized facilities and trained personnel, as well as hours to days to complete. We have developed a sensitive electrochemical platform to covalently capture, detect, and quantify viable pathogenic E. coli from complex matrices with a detection limit of 12 CFU/mL and a linear range of detection up to 10⁷ CFU/mL. The technology enables quantification within two hours on disposable electrodes, even from milk and artificial urine. Endogenous E. coli were successfully detected from commonly-contaminated samples, including eggs, raw chicken, spinach, romaine lettuce, and an infected urine sample. The E. coli quantification was as sensitive as the current gold-standard of colony counting, but with significantly less error. This platform represents a major step in the development of field-deployable sensors to detect these dangerous microbes.