A method for rapid detection of microbial detection is presented. It uses the reduction of resazurin to resorufin as an indication of the presence of viable cells. The method is highly sensitive (limit of detection 1 CFU/mL) and rapid (detection time 180 s). A portable device that could allow the detection to be performed in the field is also described.
Lay abstract: Simple techniques to detect microbial contamination are needed. In particular, these need to be user-friendly and low-cost. In addition, field use capability is desirable. In this paper, we describe a device and method that has the above features.
Keywords: Fluorescence; Microbial contamination; Portable fluorometer; Rapid detection; Resazurin.