Sensitive detection of pyoverdine with an electrochemical sensor based on electrochemically generated graphene functionalized with gold nanoparticles

Abstract The design and development of an electrochemical sensor for the sensitive and selective determination of pyoverdine, a virulence factor secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa , bacteria involved in nosocomial infections is presented in this work. The presence of pyoverdine in water and body fluids samples can be directly linked to the presence of the Pseudomonas bacteria, thus being a nontoxic and low cost marker for the detection of water pollution as well as for the biological contamination of other media. The sensor was elaborated using layer-by-layer technique for the deposition of a graphene‑gold nanoparticles composite film on the graphite-based screen printed electrode, from aqueous suspension. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical signal corresponding to the pyoverdine oxidation process was proportional to its concentration, showing a wide linear range from 1 to 100 μmol L − 1 and a detection limit of 0.33 μmol L − 1 . This sensor discriminate with satisfactory recoveries the target analyte in different real matrices and also exhibited low response to other interfering species, proving that this technique is promising for medical and environmental applications. In addition, the proposed nanocomposite platform presented good reproducibility, high and long term stability, the sensitivity for pyoverdine remain unchanged after being stored at 4 °C for four weeks.