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Rapid and sensitive detection of Giardia lamblia using a piezoelectric cantilever biosensor in finished and source waters
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Rapid and sensitive detection of Giardia lamblia using a piezoelectric cantilever biosensor in finished and source waters

Sen Xu and Raj Mutharasan
Environmental science & technology, v 44(5), pp 1736-1741
01 Mar 2010
PMID: 20121270

Abstract

Animals Antibodies, Protozoan - analysis Biosensing Techniques Cryptosporidium - isolation & purification Electrochemistry - methods Giardia lamblia - immunology Giardia lamblia - isolation & purification Giardia lamblia - pathogenicity Giardiasis - prevention & control Humans Population Density Sensitivity and Specificity Water - parasitology Water Supply - standards
The current method for detecting the waterborne parasite Giardia lamblia is tedious and requires a preconcentration step. We show for the first time a piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) biosensor immobilized with a monoclonal antibody against G. lamblia that exhibits selective and sensitive detection of G. lamblia cysts in several water matrixes (buffer, tap, and river water) at a detection limit of 1-10 cysts/mL without a preconcentration step. The PEMC sensor is a resonance-based device that functions at a high-order mode near 1 MHz. The antibody-immobilized sensor was exposed to 1-10,000 G. lamblia cysts/mL samples in a flow arrangement. When the cysts bind to the antibody on the sensor, the resonant frequency of the cantilever sensor decreases and is recorded continuously. Positive confirmation of sensor detection responses was obtained by environmental scanning electron microscope of sensor surface after detection experiments. Higher sample flow rates (0.5-5.0 mL/min) gave higher sensor detection response. Detecting as few as 10 cysts per mL was achieved in all three water matrixes tested, and significant sensor response was obtained in 15 min. We also show the feasibility of analyzing at a low concentration of 1 cyst/mL in a one liter sample at a high flow rate of 5 mL/min.

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Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Environmental
Environmental Sciences
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