A simple and sensitive aptasensor with rolling circle amplification for viable Cronobacter sakazakii detection in powdered infant formula

Cronobacter sakazakii is a foodborne, emerging opportunistic pathogen that causes severe bacteremia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis with a mortality rate of up to 80%. In this study, we developed a simple and sensitive fluorescent turn-off aptasensor with rolling circle amplification assay for viable C. sakazakii detection in powdered infant formula. The results showed that the proposed aptasensor has good performance and specificity for detecting viable C. sakazakii in pure culture and powdered infant formula samples within 3 h. Under the optimal reaction conditions, there is a linear relationship between fluorescent intensity at 490 nm and logarithmic concentration of C. sakazakii in the range of 2.7 × 10⁵ to 2.7 × 10² cfu/mL, with a limit of detection of 2.7 × 10² cfu/mL in pure culture. The proposed aptasensor achieved a recovery of 104 to 111% in pure culture, and 96 to 107% in spiked powdered infant formula samples. The proposed aptasensor does not require complicated DNA extraction steps or antibodies, and can be performed at 37°C, making it a convenient and sensitive strategy for C. sakazakii detection.