Project Summary
The overall goal of this SBIR project is to establish the technical feasibility for
commercialization of a patent-pending sample preparation technology that concentrates and
recovers microbial contaminants from appropriately scaled water samples. The proposed
product is affordable, versatile, reusable, portable, and automated device with no moving parts,
suitable for on-site or in-field sample preparation. Recovered eluents resulted from the sample
preparation can be delivered into microscale tests. Phase I Specific aims are to evaluate the
feasibility of developing a portable automated sample preparation device that can be scaled up
to process larger volume samples, develop ready-to-use buffer concentrates for improving
concentration and recovery of bacteria, and obtain a proof of concept for detecting low levels of
bacterial contaminants, by combination of the proposed sample preparation device and rapid
molecular test.
In addition to outbreaks linked to recreational and drinking water, produce and food
contaminations by pathogens from irrigation and other agricultural water are an increasing
concern. Early detection and routine surveillance is of paramount importance for effective
management of water or foodborne infectious diseases. However, current standard practices
are time consuming, largely due to the requirement of extensive sample preparation. The
proposed technology would be able to overcome major limitations of conventional sample
preparation methods, enable detection of low levels of bacteria in different water or liquid
sample types, and expand the widespread and meaningful use of rapid, portable detection
platforms.
