Electrochemical Biosensors as a Novel Platform in the Identification of Listeriosis Infection

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes (L.M.) is a gram-positive bacillus with wide distribution in the environment. This bacterium contaminates water sources and food products and can be transmitted to the human population. The infection caused by L.M. is called listeriosis and is common in pregnant women, immune-deficient patients, and older adults. Based on the released statistics, listeriosis has a high rate of hospitalization and mortality; thus, rapid and timely detection of food contamination and listeriosis cases is necessary. During the last few decades, biosensors have been used for the detection and monitoring of varied bacteria species. These devices are detection platforms with great sensitivity and low detection limits. Among different types of biosensors, electrochemical biosensors have a high capability to circumvent several drawbacks associated with the application of conventional laboratory techniques. In this review article, different electrochemical biosensor types used for the detection of listeriosis were discussed in terms of actuators, bioreceptors, specific working electrodes, and signal amplification. We hope that this review will facilitate researchers to access a complete and comprehensive template for pathogen detection based on the different formats of electrochemical biosensors.

Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes; bacteriosensors; electrochemical biosensors; infection; listeriosis; nanomaterial.

Figure 1

A schematic illustration of an electrochemical amperometric biosensor developed for Listeria detection. Copyright (2022) American Chemical [36].

Figure 2

A potentiometric electrochemical biosensor composed of the biotinylated anti-bacterial peptide as a recognition element, magnetic beads as a concentrator of the bacterial cell, and enzymatic detection indicator. Copyright (2022) ACS publications [38].

Figure 3

An example of an aptasensor binding with a Listeria surface protein (Internalin A). Protamine is a positive-charge substance that reacts with aptamer alone and with a bacteria–aptamer complex. Each of these reactions causes specific potential changes. The polymeric polycation-sensitive membrane can detect the presence of this composition. (A) Mechanism of biosensor, (B) Scanning electron microscope (SEM) illustration of bacteria and (C) Image of the cultured bacteria. Copyright (2022) from ACS publications [11].

Figure 4

A schematic illustration of a genosensor with integrated electrodes that sense target DNA using a double linear hybridization chain reaction (DL-HCR) technique and short signal DNA probe pairs. (A) Graphical presentation of the developed chip and (B) Preparation steps of the genosensor. Copyright (2022) from ACS publications [70].

Figure 5

An example of a biosensor that used Au nanomaterials composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to increase detection sensitivity [113].