Rapid amperometric detection of coliforms based on MWNTs/Nafion composite film modified glass carbon electrode

A multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/Nafion modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated for the rapid amperometric detection of coliforms, represented by Escherichia coli (E. coli). In the bacterial solution, β-galactosidase which was used as an indicator of coliforms reacted with substrate, p-aminophenol-β-galactopyranoside (PAPG), and produced p-aminophenol (PAP). PAP was detected by MWNTs/Nafion modified GCE. Due to the cation-exchange capacity of Nafion and the electrocatalytic ability of MWNTs, the detection sensitivity of PAP was improved and the detection time of coliforms was shortened. The bacterial can be detected within 5 h ranging from 10 to 10⁴ cfu/mL. The MWNTs/Nafion modified GCE was easy to be constructed and regenerated. To our best knowledge, it was the first time to use MWNTs/Nafion modified GCE to detect the concentration of coliforms.