Application of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in Microbial Identification
YAN Wen-Qian1, CHEN Qi-Fa1,2, XIA Yan1,2**
1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Science, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China;
2. Central Laboratory of Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
Abstract Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a new type of soft ionization biological mass spectrometry. It has the advantages of fast detection, simple operation and accurate results. It has currently become a reliable rapid identification technology of microorganisms. In terms of workflow, MALDI-TOF MS can reduce the time for microbial identification to one day or less than conventional biochemical methods. MALDI-TOF MS also has good accuracy in the identification of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. MALDI-TOF MS also plays a role in virus identification, and it has been reported that MALDI-TOF MS and machine learning (ML) analysis methods have been used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs. In addition, MALDI-TOF MS can also be used to identify bacteria without spectral library. At present, MALDI-TOF MS is being combined with other techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), to further expand the scope of microbial identification.
YAN Wen-Qian, CHEN Qi-Fa, XIA Yan. Application of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in Microbial Identification[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2022, 43(10): 7-14.
