Preparation of a multifunctional and ultrasensitive Au@AgNPs-Van/PDMS film SERS substrate for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens in beef

We present a novel and super-sensitive vancomycin (Van) modified Au@AgNP self-assembly with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) (Au@AgNPs/Van-PDMS) film surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for identification of foodborne pathogens in beef, without the need for in vitro bacterial culture. The results illustrated that the Au@AgNPs/Van-PDMS film exhibited high reproducibility and Raman enhancement effect (1.09×10 5 ). Clostridium perfringens , Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from beef captured by Au@AgNPs/Van-PDMS film exhibited high reproducibility and significant differences. Principal component analysis score plots distinguished classes of foodborne pathogens, and the qualitative identification of linear discriminant analysis was correct at 100%. The detection limit of S. aureus in beef was as low as 3 CFU/mL. This method could provide an effective means and technical support for realizing the application of SERS technology for quick and highly sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens in complex environments.