Reproducible E. coli detection based on label-free SERS and mapping

The biosensing for rapid detection of bacteria based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been widely explored for recent years. It is still a challenge to achieve a high sensitive, reproducible label free detection method for bacteria. In this work, a label-free SERS detection method of Escherichia coli based on incubation with silver colloid was reported. Optimized incubation conditions including shaking speed, time and temperature were used to help construct a rapid SERS method for E. coli analysis. It was found that the enhancement of the Raman signal of E. coli could be achieved to 1.8×10⁴ cps (counts per second) with high reproducibility. Three strains of E. coli DSM 1116/498/5695 could be successfully discriminated using such SERS method combining discriminant analysis. Finally, the lowest concentration of E. coli at 1×10⁵ cell/mL can be detected by SERS mapping. Thus, our detection method offers higher sensitivity and reproducibility compared to previously reported label free simple-mixing methods, opening an avenue for developing various SERS-based biosensor.