An easy adjustment of instrument settings (‘Peak MALDI’) improves identification of organisms by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry

Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) is a mature technology with ‘auto-execute’ instrument settings and peak processing parameters tailored for rapid bacterial identification. Adoption for other organisms has been problematic, with optimisation efforts focusing on sample preparation. Using the Bruker MALDI Biotyper, we demonstrate ‘Peak MALDI’: easily-applied settings that immediately enhance sensitivity, improve spectrum quality, and increase identification confidence for any target, establishing its potential value for all MALDI-ToF MS systems.