12 / 2025-02-27 11:33:19

Rapid collection and high-sensitivity detection of bioaerosol pathogens using the phase-change drywall cyclone sampler with microfluidic enrichment chip

Bioaerosol detection; Phase-change drywall cyclone sampler; microfluidic enrichment chip; Pathogen monitoring; RT-qPCR

Pathogen levels often fall below the detection threshold of the gold standard reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in infected areas, necessitating efficient sampling and enrichment for environmental monitoring. This study presents an innovative approach that integrates a self-developed Phase-change Drywall Cyclone Sampler (PDC-sampler) with a microfluidic enrichment chip for rapid and sensitive bioaerosol detection. The PDC-sampler utilized condensation to collect bioaerosols into liquid samples, while the microfluidic chip enabled continuous and efficient enrichment for RT-qPCR analysis. Sampling required only 1 minute, achieving total enrichment factors of 5.60 × 10⁷ for H1N1 virus and 1.40 × 10⁷ for E. coli. Detection limits were reduced to 19 copies/m³ for H1N1 and 16 CFU/m³ for E. coli, significantly below previously reported pathogen concentrations in affected areas. These advancements enhance detection sensitivity and accuracy, enabling robust analysis of low-concentration bioaerosols. The proposed method provides a scalable solution for real-time monitoring of airborne pathogens in public health and environmental safety applications, offering critical support for controlling infectious diseases.