Microorganism Detection Test Strip Using Peptide-Induced Particle Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional microbial detection methods are time-consuming, laborious, and costly, requiring cumbersome pre-treatment steps and are not suitable for immediate, widespread monitoring of microorganisms in environments.
Innovation Solution
A portable test strip with a porous substrate and microorganism detection composition comprising colored particles and specific peptides that aggregate to change color upon microbial cleavage, allowing for quick visual detection of specific microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional microbial detection methods (culturing, biochemical detection, microscopic examination) are used, then detection accuracy is maintained, but detection time is excessive and operation is laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex traditional methods by using specific peptides that directly bind to target microorganisms. This eliminates the need for time-consuming culturing and biochemical detection steps, achieving rapid detection within minutes while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-changing indicators that change color when bound by target microorganisms, enabling immediate visual detection. This eliminates the need for prolonged incubation periods and complex analysis, dramatically reducing detection time while improving operational efficiency.
2Reliability
If instruments and equipment for real-time monitoring are used, then detection capability is improved, but cost is excessively high and accessibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable test strips with inexpensive components including colored particles, specific peptides, and porous substrates. These low-cost single-use devices eliminate the need for expensive sophisticated instruments while maintaining reliable detection capability, making the technology accessible for widespread practical application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and electronic detection systems with a simple chemical-biological assay based on peptide-microorganism binding and color change. This substitution dramatically reduces equipment costs while preserving detection reliability, enabling deployment in resource-limited settings.
3Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used, then detection accuracy is maintained, but pre-treatment steps are cumbersome and operation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into a single integrated step where the test strip directly contacts the sample. The porous substrate structure naturally facilitates sample penetration and reaction, eliminating the need for separate pre-treatment steps while maintaining detection accuracy through the specific peptide-microorganism interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip performs self-service detection where the porous substrate automatically absorbs and processes the sample, and the color change occurs spontaneously upon binding. This eliminates the need for complex operator interventions and pre-treatment procedures, making the method extremely simple to operate while preserving accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, cost-effective, and straightforward detection of microorganisms, facilitating quick identification of their presence or absence through visual inspection without the need for complex equipment or extensive training.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of specific peptides connect the plurality of colored particles to each other to make the plurality of colored particles aggregate to cover the part of the surface of the porous substrate
Implementation Method 2
the specific microorganism has the ability to cleave the specific peptide
Implementation Method 3
When the test sample contains the specific microorganism, the specific microorganism cleaves the specific peptide, and that leads to the plurality of colored particles no longer aggregating
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2
AI summary
A test strip for microorganism detection includes: a porous substrate, a surface of which a surface has a first color; and a microorganism detection composition, which is at least adhered to a part of a surface of the porous substrate or at least adhered to a part of a surface of the porous substrate and a part of an interior of the porous substrate. The microorganism detection composition includes: a plurality of colored particles having a second color different than the first color; and a plurality of specific peptides immobilized on the surfaces of the plurality of colored particles, in which the plurality of specific peptides connect the plurality of colored particles to each other to make the plurality of colored particles aggregate to cover the part of the surface of the porous substrate and present the second color on the part of the surface of the porous substrate.