Rapid and selective recognition of Vibrio parahaemolyticus assisted by perfluorinated alkoxysilane modified molecularly imprinted polymer film

Abstract

Molecular imprinting technology offers a means of tailor-made materials with high affinity and selectivity for certain analysts. However, the recognition and separation of specific bacteria in complex matrices are still challenging. Herein, a bacteria-imprinted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film was facilely prepared and modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (POTS). Employing Vibrio parahaemolyticus as a model bacterium, the imprinted surface exhibited three-dimensionality cavities with mean size of 1000 × 800 nm in square and 100 nm in depth. After incubation for 2 h with 6 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹ of V. parahaemolyticus, the imprinted polymer film can reach a 62.9% capture efficiency. Furthermore, the imprinted POTS-modified PDMS film based solid phase extraction combined with polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis allows for detecting 10⁴ CFU mL⁻¹ with excellent selectivity in fresh oyster samples. As a result, the developed selective sample pretreatment method using molecular imprinting technology provides a promising platform for separation, identification, and analysis of pathogens.