Rapid Identification of Yeasts through the MALDI-Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Whole Cells.
Elena Stamenova, Jim Zhou
Mycology, American Type Culture Collecti, 10801 University Blv, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA
Yeasts are unicellular fungi that exist in many environmental niches. They affect human life as pathogens, facilitators or spoilers of food and drink, producers of bioactive compounds, etc. About 900 yeast species have been named so far. However, identification of yeasts has not been an easy task by conventional means (e.g., morphological examinations and utilization of certain carbon compounds) because of their microscopic size and limited morphological features. Quick identification of yeasts in interested specimens will help design therapeutic strategies or remediation methods. In this study, the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric (MALDI-MS) analysis of whole cells is being explored to identify and classify yeasts. We have tested sample pretreatment, ionizing matrix, age of a culture, and other variables to generate distinctive mass spectrum profiles of whole yeast cells. We also tested the reproducibility of the spectral data. Protocols of identifying yeasts at the genus and species levels are being developed. A database is being established for identifying cultivable yeasts.
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