Controlling the movements of E. faecalis bacteria that carry a negative electric charge with an electric field

Abstract

One of the main problems of bacteria sensors is that sufficient numbers of bacteria cannot approach and attach to the sensor surface. In this study, it has been suggested that an external electrical field can be applied to bacterial sensors to eliminate this problem. Moving Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) bacteria, which carry a negative electric charge, in a desired direction with the effect of an electric field is an example of this. The Ag/PS/Si/In structures used as the sensor platform in the experiments were produced on n-type single crystal silicon by electrochemical etching method with 50% porosity and 1-5 mu m pore size. Bacterial approach and removal experiments were carried out by immersing this PS-based structure in fluids containing E. faecalis bacteria and applying an electric field of 0-5 kV/cm in forward and reverse directions. Physical properties of the Ag/PS/Si/In structure were examined by immersing them in fluids containing live and dead E. faecalis bacteria and applying a fixed 7 kV/cm electric field value for 0-3 h. All experimental results were analyzed by impedance spectroscopy technique.