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TCF-ALP: a fluorescent probe for the selective detection of <i>Staphylococcus</i> bacteria and application in “smart” wound dressings

Abstract:
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an important enzyme-based biomarker present in several bacterial species; however, it is currently undervalued as a strategy to detect pathogenic bacteria. Here, we explore our ALP-responsive colorimetric and fluorescent probe (TCF-ALP) for such applications. TCF-ALP displayed a colorimetric and fluorescence response towards Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with a limit of detection of 3.7 × 106 CFU mL−1 after 24 h incubation. To our surprise, TCF-ALP proved selective towards Staphylococcus bacteria when compared with Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Selectivity was also seen in clinically relevant S. aureus biofilms. Owing to the high prevalence and surface location of S. aureus in chronic wounds, TCF-ALP was subsequently encapsulated in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogels as a proof-of-concept “smart” wound dressing. TCF-ALP hydrogels were capable of detecting S. aureus in planktonic and biofilm assays, and displayed a clear colour change from yellow to purple after 24 h incubation using ex vivo porcine skin models. Overall, TCF-ALP is a simple tool that requires no prior knowledge, training, or specialist equipment, and has the potential to overcome issues related to invasive swabbing and tissue biopsy methods. Thus, TCF-ALP could be used as a tool to monitor the early development of infection in a wound and allow for the rapid provision of appropriate treatment for Staphylococcal bacterial infections
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-7690-5947
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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-6162-8895
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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-9042-4744
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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-0349-6614


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Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/03x94j517
Grant:
MR/N0137941/1
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Funder identifier:
10.13039/100009555
Grant:
2020ZD01
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
10.13039/501100012226
Grant:
222201717003
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Funder identifier:
10.13039/501100003399
Grant:
17520750100
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
10.13039/501100001809
Grant:
21788102


Publisher:
Royal Society of Chemistry
Journal:
Biomaterials Science More from this journal
Volume:
9
Issue:
12
Pages:
4433-4439
Publication date:
2021-06-15
DOI:
EISSN:
2047-4849
ISSN:
2047-4830


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1301982
Local pid:
pubs:1301982
Source identifiers:
W3162657751
Deposit date:
2026-04-29
ARK identifier:
This ORA record was generated from metadata provided by an external service. It has not been edited by the ORA Team.

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