Quick and Sensitive Two‐Plex Electrochemical Platform for Pathogen Detection in Water

ABSTRACT Identifying pathogens like Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157 poses a considerable challenge to global health, given their link to different illnesses caused by food. Conventional detection techniques, mainly relying on culture techniques, frequently fall short in terms of sensitivity and time. As a result, there is an urgent requirement for sophisticated early detection technologies to avert pathogen contamination and outbreaks. This study introduces a portable, non‐faradaic electrochemical sensing platform aimed at the swift detection of pathogens in potable water, achieving a turnaround time of around 5 min. The two‐plex system utilizes targeted antibodies for Salmonella and E. coli , attaining limits of detection (LoD) of 0.8 CFU/mL and 0.9 CFU/mL, respectively, within a concentration range of 10 1 –10 5 CFU/mL. The sensor demonstrated consistent performance, as both interstudy and intrastudy coefficients of variation (%CV) stayed under 20%. Comparative studies employing benchtop data confirmed the platform's effectiveness in practical, real‐world contexts. This system demonstrates exceptional sensitivity and specificity, coupled with portability and user‐friendliness, making it an essential instrument for on‐site pathogen detection. This technology has considerable potential to enhance food safety and public health by effectively addressing pathogens outbreaks and enhancing water quality monitoring.