N-Methylimidazolium modified magnetic particles-assisted highly sensitive Escherichia coli detection based on polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis

•MIm-MPs were used as adsorbents for rapid and highly efficient capture of E. coli.•A MIm-MPs-PCR-CE method was developed for sensitive detection of E. coli.•Trace amount of E. coli at 101 cfu mL−1 was detected.

Effective bacteria detection and quantification are essential prerequisite for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Herein, we report a method for the detection and quantification of Escherichia coli (E. coli).N-Methylimidazolium modified magnetic particles (MIm-MPs) are synthesized successfully and used as an efficient magnetic material for the isolation and concentration of E. coli. The factors including pH of binding buffer, concentration of elution buffer and elution time which may affect the capture and elution efficiencies are optimized. The linear correlation between bacteria concentration and peak area of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is determined. Rapid preconcentration of trace amount of E. coli (101 cfu mL−1) in large volume of aqueous sample (500 mL) is achieved, and the capture efficiency can reach 99%. The quantification of bacteria in large volume of spiked tap water and mineral water samples is realized. The recoveries for different concentrations of E. coli in tap and mineral water samples are in the range between 83% and 93%. The results demonstrate that this MIm-MPs-PCR-CE method can be applied to detect and quantify bacteria in real samples.

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