Potentiometric detection of ATP based on the transmembrane proton gradient generated by ATPase reconstituted on a gold electrode

[EN] Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a key molecule as energy vector for living organisms, therefore its detection reveals the presence of microbial colonies. Environments where the existence of microbial pathogens suppose a health hazard can benefit from real time monitoring of such molecule. We report a potentiometric biosensor based on ATP-synthase from Escherichia coli reconstituted in a floating phospholipid bilayer over gold electrodes modified with a 4-aminothiophenol self-assembled monolayer. The use of a pH-dependent redox probe on the electrode surface allows a simple, specific and reliable on site determination of ATP concentration from 1 μM to 1 mM. The broad range ATP biosensor can offer an alternative way of measuring in a few minutes the presence of microbial contamination.A.L.D, M.P. and M.V. thank MCIU/AEI/FEDER, EU for funding project RTI2018-095090-B-I00. L.V. and A.I.J. thank Fundación Ramón Areces for financial support through the project OTR02666 and Prof. Rosal García (University of Alcalá) for the use of his laboratory facilities. I.L.-M. and M.V. thank the TECNOLOGÍAS 2018 program funded by the Regional Government of Madrid (Grant S2018/BAA-4403 SINOXPHOS-CM). G.G.M. thanks MCIU/AEI/FEDER, EU for a predoctoral contract (BES-2016-078815)