Electrochemical Assessment of Microbial Activity Using PEDOT:PSS-Immobilized Cells

Abstract

This study presents a microbial sensing device that employs a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) matrix to immobilize viable and metabolically Escherichia coli cells. This device enables the monitoring of microorganism metabolic activity in response to external stimuli such as variations in carbon sources or exposure to inhibitory or toxic compounds. PEDOT:PSS, a conductive and chemically stable polymer, was electrodeposited onto screen-printed electrodes, successfully entrapping approximately 1.26 × 107 cells per electrode. The confocal microscopy of Live/Dead-stained samples confirmed a uniform cell distribution and an average viability of ~78%. Ferricyanide respirometry validated the metabolic activity of the immobilized cells. The biosensor’s performance was evaluated using 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-DCP) as a reference toxicant. The observed inhibition of microbial activity correlated with 3,5-DCP concentration, yielding a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 9 ppm, consistent with the literature values.