Skip to main content

Physical, Chemical and Biochemical Biosensors to Detect Pathogens

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nanotechnology, Food Security and Water Treatment

Abstract

The development of science and technology has not only improved the comfort of humans but also added a wide variety of hazardous chemicals and life threatening pathogens into the living environment. Surveillance of bacterial pathogens is a daunting task for healthcare industries, food industries and environmental quality control sectors. During the past few decades, pathogens with high virulence have emerged, leading to steady increase in the mortality and morbidity rates, posing burden on the nation’s economy. Therefore it becomes necessary to develop devices that can quickly sense pathogens in quantities much lower than pico- and femto-moles. A ideal sensor has short sensing time, low measurable quantities and reliable results.

In this chapter we discuss various types of biosensors for pathogen detection. Optical biosensors have been explored extensively and used as labeled (fluorophores, quantum dots, carbon dots), label free (surface plasmon resonance) and hybrid biosensors for a highly sensitive pathogen detection. Piezoelectric-cantilever biosensors are simple, rapid and as effective as conventional pathogen detection techniques and are notable for detection of food pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes. Successful electrochemical biosensors have also been developed with unmodified electrodes and later electrodes were modified with bio-recognition elements such as specific DNA, antibodies or nanoparticles, for detection of pathogens like methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella. Almost all biosensors, including immunosensors, are being improved, by sample enrichment or signal amplification, in order to obtain a simple and rapid pathogen detection tool with lower limits of detection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

Download references

Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge VIT University, Vellore for the support through Seed Grant for Research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Balamurali MM .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

J, B., Chanda, K., MM, B. (2018). Physical, Chemical and Biochemical Biosensors to Detect Pathogens. In: Gothandam, K., Ranjan, S., Dasgupta, N., Ramalingam, C., Lichtfouse, E. (eds) Nanotechnology, Food Security and Water Treatment. Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70166-0_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics