Bacterial biofilm detection kit using enzymatic treatment coupled with nanotechnology

Abstract

The invention relates to a kit for detecting single-species biofilms formed by Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains on polystyrene and / or stainless steel surfaces, as well as the detection method. The detection kit includes a specific enzyme solution (hydrolase or lyase), depending on the bacterial genus, and a preparation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with a glycopeptide antibiotic (vancomycin). This kit is more sensitive to Gram-positive bacteria than to non-Gram-positive bacteria. The detection method includes an enzymatic treatment step to release bacterial cells from the biofilm, incubation of the cells with AuNP-Van, followed by detection by deposition on a nitrocellulosic membrane for visualization of the staining intensity.