Bacterial Spore Detection by [Tb~(3+)(macrocycle)(dipicolinate)] Luminescence

摘要

Bacterial spores are the most resistant microbial structures toward environmental extremes. Consequently, bacterial spores find extensive use as microbial indicators for evaluating the efficiency of sterilization regimens, and in the most ominous application, Bacillus anthracis spores have been employed as delivery vehicles in anthrax attacks. We and others have investigated methods for the rapid detection of bacterial spores based on dipicolinic acid (DPA) detection. DPA-a unique biomarker and major constituent of bacterial spores ( > 10~8 molecules of DPA per spore)-can be released into bulk solution by physical lysis, chemical lysis, or germination. High affinity binding of DPA to Tb~(3+) triggers intense green luminescence under UV excitation, enabling a very sensitive assay for bacterial spore detection.