2026-04-19T10:19:14Zhttps://riubu.ubu.es/oai/request

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

Naked-eye detection of Listeria monocytogenes using smart chromogenic polymers with tuneable surface morphologies Arnáiz Alonso, Ana Melero Gil, Beatriz Trigo López, Miriam Mendía Jalón, Aránzazu Fuente Vivas, Dalia de la Iñigo Martínez, María Emilia Gómez Cuadrado, Laura Ibeas Cortes, Saturnino Vallejos Calzada, Saúl Listeria L. monocytogenes Polymer-based biosensors Chromogenic PI-PLC protease activity Smart material Polymeric sensors Listeriosis Sensores químicos Chemical detectors 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. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by all the funders. The financial support provided by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-European Regional Development Fund (FEDER, ERDF) and Regional Government of Castilla y León -Consejería de Educación, Junta de Castilla y León- (BU025P23) is gratefully acknowledged. Author S. Vallejos received Grant PID2023–147301OB-I00 and Grant 3101166576–166576–29–325 funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. This work was supported by the Regional Government of Castilla y León (Junta de Castilla y León) and by the Ministry of Science and Innovation MICIN and the European Union NextGenerationEU PRTR. Author Saul Vallejos received grant BG22/00086 funded by Spanish Ministerio de Universidades. 2026-03-23T09:18:33Z 2026-03-23T09:18:33Z 2026-03 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion 0925-4005 https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11487 10.1016/j.snb.2025.139378 eng Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2026, V. 451, 139378 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.139378 Atribución 4.0 Internacional http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess application/pdf Elsevier https://riubu.ubu.es/bitstream/10259/11487/4/Arnaiz-sabc_2026.pdf.jpg Hispana TEXT http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RIUBU. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Burgos https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11487