Prospects for the Application of Sensor Elements for Detecting the Presence of Bacteria in Real Time

Abstract

A study was made of the response of a sensor element based on polydiphenylenephthalide to a change in the composition of the air medium during the cultivation of Enterobacter asburiae UOM 3 bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium. Registration of changes in the resistance of the sensor element in response to volatile organic compounds released by bacterial cells was carried out by measuring the current-voltage characteristics at specified time intervals. The results showed the relationship between the number of bacteria and the change in the resistance of the sensor element, due to the release of waste products of microorganisms. With an increase in the titer of bacteria by 3 orders of magnitude, the resistance of the sensor under the influence of volatile organic compounds accumulated in the medium decreased by 2 orders of magnitude. It is assumed that sensors based on polydiphenylenephthalide can be used to determine the presence of bacteria in various materials and media.