2026-05-08T10:16:13Zhttps://riubu.ubu.es/oai/request

oai:riubu.ubu.es:10259/114872026-03-24T01:05:39Zcom_10259_4313com_10259_5086com_10259_2604col_10259_4314

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Arnáiz Alonso, Ana author Melero Gil, Beatriz author Trigo López, Miriam author Mendía Jalón, Aránzazu author Fuente Vivas, Dalia de la author Iñigo Martínez, María Emilia author Gómez Cuadrado, Laura author Ibeas Cortes, Saturnino author Vallejos Calzada, Saúl author 2026-03 Listeria monocytogenes is a major foodborne pathogen associated with listeriosis, with a mortality rate of up to 30 %. Conventional detection methods are often time-consuming and require sophisticated equipment or complementary techniques to ensure sensitivity and specificity. This study presents a smart chromogenic polymeric sensor for the rapid detection of L. monocytogenes based on the activity of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). Six hydrophilic polymer films with identical compositions but different surface properties were developed, incorporating a chromogenic substrate that produces a visible colour change upon enzymatic hydrolysis, allowing the direct visual identification of L. monocytogenes. The sensitivity and specificity were assessed against a panel of foodborne bacteria, with detection limits of 104 CFUs/mL. Among the tested materials, NC2sf, Ff, and Sf showed the highest sensitivity and limited cross-reactivity with L. ivanovii, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Biocompatibility assays in HepG2 cells confirmed acceptable cytocompatibility, underscoring the importance of substrate selection for minimising adverse cellular effects. A proof-of-concept test on chicken breast slices and fresh-cut melon demonstrated the specific detection of L. monocytogenes and clear discrimination from non-pathogenic L. innocua, confirming the robustness and selectivity of the system. Finally, a Life Cycle Assessment highlighted the environmental impact of the sensing materials and provided insights into their potential pre-industrial scalability. 0925-4005 https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11487 10.1016/j.snb.2025.139378 Listeria L. monocytogenes Polymer-based biosensors Chromogenic PI-PLC protease activity Smart material Polymeric sensors Naked-eye detection of Listeria monocytogenes using smart chromogenic polymers with tuneable surface morphologies