title: Comparison of methodologies for separation of fungal isolates using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) microspectroscopy.
abstract: Twenty distinct fungal isolates were analysed using three methods of sample preparation for FTIR spectroscopy and FTIR-ATR microspectroscopy to test for differences in surface chemical composition between living and dried fungal samples, as well as differences between surface chemistry and overall chemistry of homogenized dried samples. Results indicated that visually the FTIR spectra of different fungi are remarkably similar with subtle discernable differences, which statistical analysis of the spectra supported. Within each data set, different fungal isolates were responsible for statistical differences. Lack of congruence between each of the methods used suggests that determination of chemical composition is highly dependent upon the method of sample preparation and analysis (surface vs. whole) applied.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Ecology and Evolution, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8551, USA. Electronic address: joberle@camden.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oberle
authors.affiliation: Rutgers University, Rutgers Pinelands Field Station, PO Box 206, 501 Four Mile Road, New Lisbon, NJ 08064, USA. Electronic address: dighton@camden.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dighton
authors.affiliation: Rutgers University, Department of Chemistry, 315 Penn St., Camden, NJ 08102-1411, USA. Electronic address: arbuckle@camden.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arbuckle-Keil
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification*; D009172:Mycology / Q000379:methods*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Chemical composition; FTIR spectroscopy; Fungal biochemistry; Fungal characterization