Microorganism concentration process and device

Abstract

A process for capturing or concentrating microorganisms for detection or assay comprises (a) providing a concentration device comprising a sintered porous polymer matrix comprising at least one concentration agent that comprises diatomaceous earth bearing, on at least a portion of its surface, a surface treatment comprising a surface modifier comprising ferric oxide, titanium dioxide, fine-nanoscale gold or platinum, or a combination thereof; (b) providing a sample comprising at least one microorganism strain; and (c) contacting the concentration device with the sample such that at least a portion of the at least one microorganism strain is bound to or captured by the concentration device.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A concentration device comprising a sintered porous polymer matrix comprising at least one concentration agent that comprises diatomaceous earth bearing, on at least a portion of its surface, a surface treatment comprising a surface modifier comprising ferric oxide, titanium dioxide, fine-nanoscale gold or platinum, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A process for preparing a concentration device comprising (a) providing a mixture comprising (1) at least one particulate, sinterable polymer and (2) at least one particulate concentration agent that comprises diatomaceous earth bearing, on at least a portion of its surface, a surface treatment comprising a surface modifier comprising ferric oxide, titanium dioxide, fine-nanoscale gold or platinum, or a combination thereof; and (b) heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to sinter the polymer, so as to form a sintered porous polymer matrix comprising the particulate concentration agent. 
     
     
         21 . The concentration device of  claim 19 , wherein each of the at least one concentration agent has a negative zeta potential at a pH of 7. 
     
     
         22 . The concentration device of  claim 19 , wherein the sintered porous polymer matrix comprises a tortuous path. 
     
     
         23 . The concentration device of  claim 19 , wherein the sintered porous polymer matrix comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         24 . The concentration device of  claim 23 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from olefin homopolymers, olefin copolymers, copolymers of olefins and other vinyl monomers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The concentration device of  claim 24 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from olefin homopolymers and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The concentration device of  claim 24 , wherein the olefin homopolymer is polyethylene. 
     
     
         27 . The concentration device of  claim 19 , wherein the surface modifier is selected from the group consisting of fine-nanoscale gold, fine-nanoscale platinum, fine-nanoscale gold in combination with at least one metal oxide, titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide in combination with at least one other metal oxide that is not titanium dioxide, ferric oxide, and ferric oxide in combination with at least one other metal oxide that is not ferric oxide. 
     
     
         28 . The concentration device of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of ferric oxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The concentration device of  claim 27 , wherein the surface modifier is selected from the group consisting of fine-nanoscale gold, fine-nanoscale platinum, fine-nanoscale gold in combination with at least ferric oxide or titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide in combination with at least ferric oxide, and ferric oxide. 
     
     
         30 . The concentration device of  claim 29 , wherein the surface modifier is selected from the group consisting of fine-nanoscale gold, fine-nanoscale platinum, fine-nanoscale gold in combination with ferric oxide or titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide, and titanium dioxide in combination with ferric oxide. 
     
     
         31 . The concentration device of  claim 30 , wherein the surface modifier is selected from the group consisting of fine-nanoscale gold, fine-nanoscale gold in combination with ferric oxide or titanium dioxide, and titanium dioxide in combination with ferric oxide. 
     
     
         32 . The concentration device of  claim 31 , wherein the surface modifier is selected from the group consisting of fine-nanoscale gold, and fine-nanoscale gold in combination with ferric oxide or titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         33 . The concentration device of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one concentration agent is embedded in or on the surface of the porous polymer matrix. 
     
     
         34 . The concentration device of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one concentration agent comprises diatomaceous earth bearing, on at least a portion of its surface, fine-nanoscale gold or fine-nanoscale platinum deposited on the diatomaceous earth using physical vapor deposition.