Biomolecules for early detection of biofilms through point-of-use devices

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that attach to biotic and abiotic surfaces. They cause infections and industrial contaminations that carry along serious health issues and great economic loss. The secreted extracellular polymeric substances enhance biofilm tolerance to antibiotics, biocides and host defenses. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new strategies for detecting and monitoring microbial biofilms in the early stages of formation. Biosensor technology can provide rapid detection, high selectivity and sensitivity using small, portable, simple, and low-cost devices. The selection of an appropriate molecular target involved in a regulatory network during different stages of biofilm formation determines the type of information the biosensor provides. This comprehensive review discusses the biomolecules that contribute to the formation of biofilms, with a particular emphasis on those involved in the initial stages, and their potential as specific targets for the early detection of these microbial structures. Additionally, we provide a critical analysis of the current state of biosensors for detecting biofilms, including recent work with rapid test based on lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA). The information analyzed in this review could guide the development of innovative biosensors or chemical sensors to detect the early formation of biofilms, contributing to the fight against antimicrobial resistance.