Detection of Secondary Metabolites of Bacteria Using Whole-Cell Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/ Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Introduction

The microbial identification method using Matrix- Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been gaining attention in recent years as a quick and simple evaluation technique for identifying bacteria. In microbial identification by MALDI-TOF MS, A small amount of a microbial colony is first mixed with a matrix substance which assists in the MALDI ionization process, and the mixture is then measured. The detected group of peaks originating from peptides and proteins is then used as a fingerprint for microorganism identification. In fact, since slight adjustments to the sample preparation method and measurement conditions allow lipids and metabolites of microbial origin to be detected in the low molecular weight region, a quick and simple procedure similar to microbial identification by MALDI-TOF MS can be used to identify some such products. Here, we introduce an example in which surfactin, a secondary metabolite of Bacillus subtilis which displays antibacterial activity, was easily detected using the AXIMA Performance , one of the Shimadzu MALDI-TOF MS instruments in the AXIMA product line.

August 30, 2012 GMT