Nanomaterial-based sensors for microbe detection: a review

Abstract Airborne microorganisms pose a significant health threat, causing various illnesses. Traditional detection methods are often slow and complex. This review highlights the potential of nanomaterial-based biosensors, particularly colorimetric sensors, for rapid and on-site detection of airborne microbes. Colorimetric sensors offer real-time visual detection without complex instrumentation. We explore the integration of these sensors with Lab-on-a-Chip technology using PDMS microfluidics. This review also proposes a novel PDMS-based colorimetric biosensor for real-time detection of airborne microbes. The sensor utilizes a color change phenomenon easily observable with the naked eye, simplifying analysis and potentially enabling point-of-care applications. Graphical Abstract