# C. albicans Detection with Electrochemical Sensors by Using Molecular Imprinted Polymer Technique

## TL;DR

A new electrochemical sensor using molecular imprinting can detect Candida albicans quickly and accurately, outperforming traditional methods.

## Contribution

A novel MIP-based electrochemical biosensor for rapid and selective detection of C. albicans cells is developed.

## Key findings

- The sensor achieved a wide linear detection range from 1 to 104 CFU/mL of C. albicans.
- The system demonstrated an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 1.30 CFU/mL.
- High selectivity was confirmed against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.

## Abstract

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and a major cause of nosocomial infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Conventional diagnostic approaches such as blood culture and biochemical assays are accurate but require multi-step sample processing and prolonged turnaround times, limiting their applicability for rapid clinical screening. In the present study, we developed an electrochemical biosensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology for the rapid and selective detection of intact C. albicans cells. The MIP layer was electropolymerized onto a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE), forming selective recognition cavities complementary to the fungal morphology. Electrochemical characterization and detection were performed using cyclic voltammetry in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The system demonstrated a wide linear detection range, enabling reliable quantification of C. albicans across concentrations spanning from 1 to 104 CFU/mL and achieved an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 1.30 CFU/mL, demonstrating high sensitivity. High selectivity was confirmed against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa, demonstrating that the imprinted cavities effectively distinguish fungal cells from bacterial contaminants. These findings highlight the promise of MIP-based electrochemical biosensors as a simple, low-cost, and portable alternative for early fungal diagnostics.