A promoted MALDI-TOF-MS platform towards rapid and accurate identifications of bacteria

Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is emerging as the most powerful tool for the identification of bacteria. Herein, we demonstrated that the capability of MALDI-TOF-MS towards the discrimination of clinical bacteria can be further dramatically improved. A cooperative matrix consisting of (E)-propyl α-cyano-4-hydroxylcinnamylate (CHCA-C3) and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) was used to replace the commonly used matrix CHCA. As a result, 1.4–3.8 times more fingerprint peaks have been identified by the cooperative matrix in comparison with CHCA when six different bacteria were studied. The peaks distribute in the wider m/z range, and the spectral quality has also been significantly improved. As an example of practical applications, the direct and more reliable discrimination between Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Shigella sonnei (S. sonnei) was achieved based on their protein fingerprints, which was previously claimed to be impossible by CHCA. Thus, a promoted MALDI-TOF-MS platform towards bacterial identification has been established by utilizing the new cooperative matrix, which will exhibit great potential for many applications.