title: Differentiation of environmental aquatic bacterial isolates by MALDI-TOF MS.
abstract: Identification of bacteria in aquatic and environmental applications, for monitoring purposes and research, for health assessments and therapy considerations of farmed and free-living aquatic organisms, still relies on conventional phenotypic and biochemical protocols. Although molecular techniques based on DNA amplification and sequencing are finding ways into diagnostic laboratories, they are time-consuming, costly and difficult in the case of multiplex assays. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid and accurate proteomic method reliable for identification of unknown bacteria to the genus and species level. Upon extension of databases, it will certainly find its position in environmental sciences. The paper presents an overview of the principle of the method, its effectiveness in comparison with conventional and molecular identification procedures, and applicability on environmental and aquatic isolates, discussing its advantages and shortcomings, as well as possible future implementations.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Natalija Topić
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Popović
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry, Division of Physical Chemistry, Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: snjezana.kazazic@irb.hr.
authors.forename: Snježana P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kazazić
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Ivančica
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strunjak-Perović
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Rozelindra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Čož-Rakovac
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
keywords: Crayfish; Environmental bacteria; Fish; MALDI-TOF MS