Sialylated glycan-based impedimetric biosensing for the detection of Vibrio cholerae biomarkers in cell culture media

Cholera is a severe infectious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. The disease primarily spreads through contaminated food and water sources; it remains a significant global health concern. The pathogenesis of Vibrio cholerae is facilitated by the secreted neuraminidase, Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (VCNA). This neuraminidase cleaves host cell surface sialic acids, which leads to bacterial colonization and infection progression. This study presents the development of a label-free VCNA biosensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The biosensor relies on synthetic sialosides that form self-assembled monolayers on gold electrodes. The system demonstrated selective detection of VCNA activity through distinct impedance variations corresponding to the enzymatic cleavage of the sialoside substrates. The VCNA activity was evaluated under varying environmental conditions, including different media and pH values. This approach provides insights into developing robust biosensing platforms for bacterial detection, offering potential applications in various diagnostic and monitoring systems.