Monitoring microbial populations of sulfate-reducing bacteria using an impedimetric immunosensor based on agglutination assay

An impedimetric immunosensor was fabricated for rapid and non-labeled detection of sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulforibrio caledoiensis (SRB) by immobilizing lectin-Concanavalin A using an agglutination assay. The immobilization of lectin was conducted using amine coupling on the surface of a gold (Au) electrode assembled with 11-Mercaptoundecanoic acid. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to verify the stepwise assembly of the sensor system. The work conditions of the impedimetric immunosensor, such as pH of the buffer solutions and the incubation time of lectin, were optimized. Faradic impedance spectra for charge transfer for the redox probe Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−were measured to determine SRB concentrations. The diameter of the Nyquist diagram that is equal to the charge-transfer resistance (R_ct) increased with increasing SRB concentration. A linear relationship between R_ct and SRB concentration was obtained in SRB concentration range of 1.8 to 1.8 × 10⁷ cfu/ml. The variation of the SRB population during the growth process was also monitored using the impedimetric immunosensor. This approach has great potential for simple, low-cost, and time-saving monitoring of microbial populations.