title: Identification of Bacillus spores by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry.
abstract: Unique patterns of biomarkers were reproducibly characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry and were used to distinguish Bacillus species members from one another. Discrimination at the strain level was demonstrated for Bacillus cereus spores. Lipophilic biomarkers were invariant in Bacillus globigii spores produced in three different media and in B. globigii spores stored for more than 30 years. The sensitivity was less than 5,000 cells deposited for analysis. Protein biomarkers were also characterized by MALDI analysis by using spores treated briefly with corona plasma discharge. Protein biomarkers were readily desorbed following this treatment. The effect of corona plasma discharge on the spores was examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA. hathout@wam.umd.edu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hathout
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Demirev
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bundy
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ryzhov
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sapp
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stutler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jackman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fenselau
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers