In situ chromatic biosensor

Abstract

A biosensor for real-time monitoring of a wound can provide valuable data regarding the presence of bacteria. A nanofibrous biosensor is provided for monitoring wound status at the point of care. The colorimetric biosensor changes color in response to low levels of bacteria and fungi, making it visible to unaided and untrained eyes. A colorimetric probe is a hemicyanine dye that changes color from yellow to green in the presence of lipase. Dye is incorporated into a shell composition of core-shell nanofibers made of polyurethane and polyvinylpyrrolidone. As a means of increasing the biosensor's sensitivity, the alignment of nanofibers is controlled and a surfactant added to the shell (e.g., Tween 80). Alignment of nanofiber enables better localization, and Tween 80 increases lipase activity, which facilitates near immediate color changes above critical levels of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Candida aureus. All ESKAPEE bacteria are detected within 2 hours.

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