LAUSR

Rapid and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens can effectively prevent or reduce the outbreaks of foodborne diseases. In this study, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based colorimetric bioassay was developed for rapid and sensitive detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. AMP was conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (AMP–HRP) to develop a signal reporter instead of antibody-HRP with a higher sensitivity. AMP–HRP could anchor on the surface of target bacteria rapidly through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. After unbound probes were removed by filtration, HRP catalyzed 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to colored product, which was measured using UV-vis spectroscopy to quantify E. coli O157:H7. Due to the abundant AMP-binding sites on the surface of target bacteria, the proposed bioassay could detect E. coli O157:H7 as low as 13 cfu mL−1 in a pure culture with a linear range of 102–105 cfu mL−1 in 45 min without pre-enrichment. Combined with an immunomagnetic capture-release procedure, sensitive and selective detection of E. coli O157:H7 in food samples was achieved.