title: Integrated micro-optofluidic platform for real-time detection of airborne microorganisms.
abstract: We demonstrate an integrated micro-optofluidic platform for real-time, continuous detection and quantification of airborne microorganisms. Measurements of the fluorescence and light scattering from single particles in a microfluidic channel are used to determine the total particle number concentration and the microorganism number concentration in real-time. The system performance is examined by evaluating standard particle measurements with various sample flow rates and the ratios of fluorescent to non-fluorescent particles. To apply this method to real-time detection of airborne microorganisms, airborne Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis cells were introduced into the micro-optofluidic platform via bioaerosol generation, and a liquid-type particle collection setup was used. We demonstrate successful discrimination of SYTO82-dyed fluorescent bacterial cells from other residue particles in a continuous and real-time manner. In comparison with traditional microscopy cell counting and colony culture methods, this micro-optofluidic platform is not only more accurate in terms of the detection efficiency for airborne microorganisms but it also provides additional information on the total particle number concentration.
authors.affiliation: Center for Environment, Health, and Welfare Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeongan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Center for Environment, Health, and Welfare Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Miran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Center for Environment, Health, and Welfare Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes