β-Lactamase triggered visual detection of bacteria using cephalosporin functionalized biomaterials

We report the conjugation of a chromogenic cephalosporin β-lactamase (βL) substrate to polymers and integration into biomaterials for facile, visual βL detection. Identification of these bacterial enzymes, which are a leading cause of antibiotic resistance, is critical in the treatment of infectious diseases. The βL substrate polymer conjugate undergoes a clear to deep yellow color change upon incubation with common pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria species. We have demonstrated the feasibility of formulating hydrogels with the βL substrate covalently tethered to a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymer matrix, exhibiting a visible color change in the presence of βLs. This approach has the potential to be used in diagnostic biomaterials for point-of-care detection of βL-producing bacteria, helping combat the spread of drug resistant microbes.