Technical-scientific feasibility analysis to obtain a low cost biosensor and rapid detection of microorganisms of interest in the areas of health, agricultural and industrial

• Grant number: 17/07974-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: December 01, 2017
• End date: August 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Nadja Fernanda Gonzaga Serrano
• Grantee: Nadja Fernanda Gonzaga Serrano
• Company: Plural Indústria e Comércio de Produtos Químicos Ltda. - ME
• CNAE: Atividades de apoio à agricultura ; Testes e análises técnicas ; Atividades de serviços de complementação diagnóstica e terapêutica
• City: São Carlos
• Associated researchers: Bruno da Silva Thomazini

Abstract

There is a great interest, governmental and private, in the availability of techniques that allow the rapid, economic and safe detection/identification of various microorganisms (pathogenic or non-pathogenic) of interest in health, agricultural, industrial, environmental, military, etc. In this Stage-1 we aim to verify, through technical and scientific complementary research, the feasibility of extending the results already achieved in the stage previously held at the University. That academic phase culminated in the construction of a prototype that showed excellent performance, and was based on the emission of light due to the phenomenon of photoluminescence of microorganisms and its association with the action of a new antimicrobial peptide (Polycerradin). However, this prototype was developed and tested for only three fungi and four bacteria. Because we are limited to this restricted number of microorganisms, we consider that these results are not sufficient to propose a PIPE-Stage-2 Direct project. Also, it is necessary to carry out much more comprehensive complementary scientific research especially to study complex real samples (such as milk, blood, urine, etc.) which in fact will determine the possibilities of having a device of real commercial application (i.e., a product) in Stage-2. Thus, the activities proposed for this Stage-1 are:(a) To examine which microorganisms (approximately 100) have an adequate response in the photoluminescence property and that will allow (Stage-2) the production of specific biosensor prototypable for each one of the areas of interest (health, agriculture and industry). (b) To determine the effectiveness of the PAM Polycerradin produced by the Paenibacillus spp. RNC-D on those microorganisms.(c) To calculate/determine the minimum microbial concentration detectable by this method based essentially on the emission of photoluminescence. (d) To study the influence of the presence of other components (like proteins, human cells, etc.) on more complex samples in addition to the pure microorganisms mentioned in (a). In a possible Stage-2 we will be developing several prototypes to obtain an innovative biosensor based on the same principles mentioned above and characterized by its low cost and quick response in the verification of the presence of microorganisms in these three areas. Both the original device (prototype initially built) and the process of synthesis of the antimicrobial peptide (Polycerradin) are already in the process of intellectual protection at INPI through the UFSCar Innovation Agency. Because of its use in the health area, this biosensor could have enormous social benefits. Also, by the potential of use, the estimated market for this biosensor is enormous. As a consequence of this technical and commercial features, even in the case of proposing a PIPE-Stage-1 project, it has already been possible the get the following four companies expressing their interest in our biosensor (see Figures 16-19, Section IX, pp. 46): (a) PURCOM (http://www.purcom.com.br/) is a national company and the largest producer of polyurethane (PU) in the southern hemisphere; Interest: microbiological control in the PU to be recycled (from refrigerators, mattresses, etc.). (b) SYNGENTA (www.syngenta.com.br) is a worldwide organization, present in more than 90 countries and with 28,000 employees, whose objective is the development of sustainable agriculture; Interest: detection and control of phytopathogens such as Xanthomonas. (c) SAKURA NAKAYA ALIMENTOS Ltda. (Http://www.sakura.com.br/) is a national food company with more than 300 different and innovative products without similar in the market; Interest: food quality control by monitoring the presence of microorganisms such as coliforms.(d) POLYPACK (www.polypack.com.br), specialized in thermomechanical, climatic and chemical tests; Interest: to provide microbiological analysis services to companies in the food area. (AU)