Presented herein are two detection strategies for the identification and quantification of Bacillus globigii, a spore forming nonpathogenic simulant of Bacillus anthracis. The first strategy involves a label-free, metal-enhanced electrochemical immunosensor for the quantitative detection of Bacillus globigii (atrophaeus). The immunosensor comprises of antibacillus globigii (BG) antibody self-assembled onto a gold quartz crystal electrode via cystamine bond. A solid-phase monolayer of silver underpotentially deposited onto the cystamine modified-Au-electrode surface is used as the redox probe. The monolayer was also generated by adsorbing silver nanoparticles on the gold electrode. When the antibody-modified electrode is exposed to BG spores, the antibody-antigen (Ab-Ag) complex formed insulated the electrode surface toward the silver redox probe. The variation of redox current was found to be proportional to the concentration of the BG spores between 1 x 10(2)-3.5 x 10(4) spores/mL. A detection limit of 602 spores/mL was obtained, which is well-below the infectious dose of anthrax spores at 2.5 x 10(5) spores/mL. The second approach involves the use of ultrasensitive portable capillary biosensor (UPAC) to detect the spores. The capillary is an enclosed system that acts as the flow cell, the waveguide, and the solid support for immobilized bimolecular probes. An evanescent excitation generates a signal from an antigen-antibody-fluorophore complex, which propagates along the capillary and is guided to the detector. A limit of detection of 112 spores/mL was reported using the UPAC sensor. Both methods showed lower detection limits compared to the conventional ELISA. The effect of potential interferants tested using Bacillus pumilus confirmed the selectivity for the analyte. This work should allow the first responders to rapidly detect and quantify Bacillus globigii spores at concentrations that are well-below the infectious dose.

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We describe the characterization and application of quercetin pentaphosphate (QPP), a new fluorimetric substrate for the detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. QPP exhibits major absorbance peaks at 260/410 nm and a strong fluorescence at λex/λem = 425/510 nm at alkaline pH. The product of enzymatic reaction between QPP and ALP has a strong absorbance peak at 324 nm with no fluorescence at the investigated wavelengths. The product generated from the enzymatic reaction was found to be proportional to ALP activity, and the ALP activity was monitored by the absorbance difference at 310 nm and 410 nm. The change in absorbance was found to be proportional to the ALP concentration with a linear detection range and a limit of detection of 0.01-16 U L(-1) and 0.766 U L(-1), respectively. The enzyme activity was also monitored by evaluating the change in fluorescence emission at 530 nm with a linear range of 0.01-8 U L(-1) and a detection limit of 0.062 U L(-1). Further, the validity of the new substrate for ALP in conjugated form was tested using Bacillus globigii spores as the model sample. A detection limit of 5998 spores per mL was obtained using QPP as the substrate. Unlike the parent compound, QPP substrate exhibits stability in solution for over three and half months and was stable under storage for over 12 months. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of QPP for ALP and compare well with other fluorescent substrates, such as Fluorescein, Alexa Fluor and Cy5.