The GA-optimized MSPE measurement for high-performance electrochemical detection of bacterial pathogens in complex matrices.

To address the limited generalizability and matrix interference in foodborne bacterial detection within complex food matrices, a high-performance electrochemical detection platform enabled by genetic algorithm (GA)-optimized magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) was developed. Magnetic electrochemiluminescent probes were functionalized with bacteria-specific aptamers to achieve target recognition and magnetic separation. Using orthogonal experimental design combined with an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model and GA global optimization, the nonlinear relationships between key MSPE parameters and charge transfer resistance were accurately mapped, and the optimal extraction conditions were intelligently determined. The optimized system exhibited strong binding efficiency toward target bacteria and predictive performance. By integrating the structural analysis capability of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with the rapid and ultrasensitive features of electrochemiluminescence, the proposed method realized reliable cross-species and cross-matrix transferable detection based on the model transferability. This intelligent approach provides an effective solution for accurate and robust detection of foodborne pathogens in complex food matrices.