Corona plasma discharge for rapid analysis of microorganisms by mass spectrometry

Abstract

Corona plasma discharge provides a rapid and reliable tool for release of biomarkers from gram negative and positive bacteria, spores and viruses for characterization by mass spectrometry.

MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of bacterial spores: Wet heat-treatment as a new releasing technique for biomarkers and the influence of different experimental parameters and microbiological handling

“…Although this was repeatedly applied to our bacterial spores, we were not able to obtain mass spectra containing signals of high-mass biomarkers with this technique (data not shown). Compared with our wet heat-treatment techniques, the conditions applied with CPD, sonication, and acidic extraction are quite harsh, leading to changes or mechanical destruction of the spore wall [11,12,15,23]. On the contrary, wet heat-treatment did not lead to changes of the spore membrane as evidenced by microscopic inspection during counting.…”

“…A standard deviation of 200 ppm was attained for all masses by So far, the detection of high-mass biomarkers directly from intact bacterial spores was only possible by treating the spores with sonication or corona plasma discharge (CPD). These techniques were introduced and successfully applied by the group of Fenselau [11,14]. These techniques have not been applied in our work.…”

“…It was observed that the release of useful biomarkers is a general problem in the analysis of bacterial spores [10]. Different techniques have been evaluated to improve the detection of high-mass biomarkers [11,12]. Birmingham et al released high-mass biomarkers from bacterial spores by pretreating the spores with corona plasma discharge or sonication [11].…”

“…Different techniques have been evaluated to improve the detection of high-mass biomarkers [11,12]. Birmingham et al released high-mass biomarkers from bacterial spores by pretreating the spores with corona plasma discharge or sonication [11]. Subsequently, strong acid treatment (acidic extraction of high-mass biomarkers) was suggested by Elhanany et al [12].…”

“…The latest application uses bioactive glass slides to simplify the analysis of bacterial spores by specific surface absorption and lysing the spores with strong acids [16]. Most techniques so far applied damage the spore wall severely [11][12][13][14][15][16]. This enables the release of components from the coat or other interior compartments on the one hand but can cause difficulties in the subsequent analytical procedure on the other hand.…”