Rapid label-free detection of E. coli using antimicrobial peptide assisted impedance spectroscopy

There is an increasing demand for rapid detection of waterborne pathogens to monitor drinking water safety. We demonstrate a compact, label-free sensor array for rapid detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in contaminated water samples using antimicrobial peptide assisted impedimetric sensor platform. Interdigitated electrode arrays immobilized with the antimicrobial peptide Colicin V (ColV) were used to screen the affinity towards different bacterial strains by monitoring impedance variations in real-time. This ColV assisted impedance biosensor exhibited high selectivity towards Gram-negative strains particularly towards E. coli strains. This selective detection of E. coli from other strains was observed at 10² cfu mL^-1, which is clinically relevant. The sensor can detect E. coli from 10² to 10⁶ cfu mL^-1 in water sample at pH 7 to 9. These results show that the antimicrobial peptide ColV assisted impedimetric array is capable of rapid, specific detection of E. coli in contaminated water samples.