Analysis of Whole Bacterial Cells by Flow Field-Flow Fractionation and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

June 1, 2003

Journal Article

Analysis of Whole Bacterial Cells by Flow Field-Flow Fractionation and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel bacterial analysis method by coupling the flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF) separation technique with detection by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The composition of carrier liquid used for flow FFF was selected based on retention of bacterial cells and compatibility with the MALDI process. The feasibility of coupling flow FFF and MALDI-TOF MS was demonstrated for P. putida and E. coli. Fractions of the whole cells were collected after separation by FFF and further analyzed by MALDI-MS. Each fraction, collected over different time intervals, corresponded to different sizes and possibly different growth stages of bacteria. The bacterial analysis by flow FFF/MALDI-TOF MS was completed within 1 hour with only preliminary optimization of the process.

Revised: November 10, 2005 | Published: June 1, 2003

Citation

Lee H., K.R. Williams, K.L. Wahl, and N.B. Valentine. 2003. Analysis of Whole Bacterial Cells by Flow Field-Flow Fractionation and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry 75, no. 11:2746-2752. PNNL-SA-38142.