A biorecognition element for detection of fuel biocontamination. The biorecognition element includes a sequence selected from SEQ. ID No. 10, SEQ. ID No. 13, SEQ. ID No. 22, SEQ. ID No. 27, SEQ. ID No. 31, SEQ. ID No.40, SEQ. ID No.67, SEQ. ID No. 68, SEQ. ID No. 69, SEQ. ID No. 70, SEQ. ID No. 71, and SEQ. ID No.72, an amine-functionalized quantum dot, a C-terminal, three-glycine plus cysteine linker, and a reporter molecule conjugated to the amine-functionalized quantum dot. Biocontaminants are labeled by the biorecognition element and observed via the reporter molecule of the biorecognition element.