Real-time biosensor for rapid microbial contamination detection

Overview

A biosensor system detects microorganisms—including bacteria and fungi—at extremely low concentrations (0.1 CFU) within 0.03 seconds. The technology is paired with a mobile phone application that transmits biosensor readings to a central processing system, which converts the data into positive or negative results and returns them to the user within 10 seconds. This rapid, reagent-free platform targets needs in food safety, water quality monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and home-use microbial detection, where speed, sensitivity, and low cost are essential. The total projected cost per test is less than $1.00, supporting economically feasible large-scale or repeated testing.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• A modified component of Type II alveolar epithelial cells placed on a silicon disk serves as the biosensing element
• Optical interferometry captures biofilm movement in response to test agents, plotted as light intensity versus wavelength
• Tungsten white light passes through a spectrometer and computer program to detect microbial contamination
• No reagents are required for operation

Validated performance:

• Successfully detected E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Salmonella, Fusarium, and Aspergillus
• Detects E. coli K12, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, and Salmonella at concentrations from 10 CFU/ml to 10^5 CFU/ml in 0.03 seconds
• Tested in laboratory deionized water and Colorado river irrigation water
• Over 100 compounds evaluated, including detection at ppb-range concentrations

System integration:

• Mobile phone app transfers biosensor data to a central computer system
• Results delivered back to the phone app within 10 seconds
• Portable, inexpensive prototype design suitable for field and home settings

Technology readiness level

The current biosensor model is rated at Technical Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) under the Department of Defense TRL system, indicating late-stage prototype development validated in a simulated operational environment. Preliminary data from collaborative testing between PhytoCentric Solutions LLC and the biosensor developer have demonstrated reliable detection across multiple pathogen types and water matrices. A proposed next-phase validation would assess performance under real home-setting conditions, targeting detection of bacteria and fungi of interest at 0.1 CFU within 0.03 seconds, with culture-method enumeration for result confirmation. This next-phase validation is expected to take 6–12 months and would also involve development of the mobile telephone application and supporting computer engineering infrastructure.