Rapid-Response Magnetic Enrichment Strategy for Significantly Improving Sensitivity of Multiplex PCR Analysis of Pathogenic Listeria Species

Featured ApplicationRapid magnetic enrichment strategy can significantly improve the sensitivity of multiplex PCR analysis and shorten the pre-concentration time. The simultaneous and sensitive detection of pathogenicListeriaspp. was achieved.AbstractListeria monocytogenesandListeria ivanoviiare important pathogenicListeriaspp. that cause infections in humans and animals. Establishing a rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous screening of pathogenicListeriaspp. is of great significance for ensuring food safety. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) has been extensively reported to simultaneously detect several pathogens in food with high sensitivity, but a time-consuming pre-enrichment process is necessary. In this study, we report the usage of surface-modified polyethyleneimine-coated positively charged magnetic nanoparticles (PEI-MNPs) for rapid enrichment of pathogenicListeriaspp. through electrostatic interactions. The enrichment process takes only 10 min with high capture efficiency (more than 70%) at a wide pH range and ionic strength. Combined with mPCR analysis, the PEI-MNPs-mPCR strategy can simultaneously, rapidly, and sensitively detect pathogenicListeriaspp. without a time-consuming pre-concentration process. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits ofL. monocytogenesandL. ivanoviiin lettuce were both as low as 101CFU/mL, which was a hundred times lower than that without magnetic enrichment. In conclusion, the magnetic enrichment strategy based on charge interaction combined with mPCR analysis has great application potential in shortening the pre-concentration time of foodborne pathogens and improving the detection sensitivity.Keywords:magnetic enrichment;multiplex PCR;electrostatic interaction;bacteria detection;method sensitivity;food safety