Preparation of immunomagnetic iron-dextran nanoparticles and application in rapid isolation of E.coli O157:H7 from foods.
OBJECTIVE
To prepare a kind of magnetic iron-dextran nanoparticles that was coated with anti-E.coli O157:H7 IgG, analyze its application conditions, and try to use it to isolate E.coli O157:H7 from foods.


METHODS
Magnetic iron-dextran nanoparticles were prepared by the reaction of a mixture of ferric and ferrous ions with dextran polymers under alkaline conditions. The particles were coated with antiserum against E.coli O157:H7 by the periodate oxidation-borohydride reduction procedure. The oxidation time, amount of antibody coating the particles, amount of nanoparticles, incubation time and isolation time were varied to determine their effects on recovery of the organisms. Finally, the optimum conditions for isolating E.coli O157:H7 from food samples were established.


RESULTS
E.coli O157:H7 can be isolated from samples within 15 min with the sensitivity of 10(1) CFU/mL or even less. In the presence of 10(8) CFU/mL of other organisms, the sensitivity is 10(1)-10(2) CFU/mL. Nonspecific binding of other bacteria to the particles was not observed. Two and a half hours of enrichment is enough for the particles to detect the target from the food samples inoculated with 1 CFU/g.


CONCLUSIONS
Isolation of target bacteria by immunomagnetic nanoparticles is an efficient method with high sensitivity and specificity. The technique is so simple that it can be operated in lab and field even by untrained personnel.
Duan
Hui-Li
HL
Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
Shen
Zhi-Qiang
ZQ
Wang
Xin-Wei
XW
Chao
Fu-Huan
FH
Li
Jun-Wen
JW
D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018189:Immunomagnetic Separation / Q000379:methods*; D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex; D049329:Nanostructures
D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex