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Multivariate analysis of bacterial volatile compound profiles for discrimination between selected species and strains in vitro

Thorn, Robin; Reynolds, Darren M.; Greenman, John

Authors

Dr Robin Thorn Robin2.Thorn@uwe.ac.uk
Director of Research and Enterprise



Abstract

Volatile compounds (VCs) are produced by all microorganisms as part of their normal metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine whether bacterial VC profiles could be used to discriminate between selected bacterial species and strains in vitro. Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used to quantify the concentration of 23 microbial VCs within the head-space of various bacterial monocultures, during both the logarithmic and stationary growth phases. In comparison with existing techniques, SIFT-MS enables quantitative, high throughput, real-time head-space analysis to be performed, without need for sample preparation. The results show that most VCs were produced by >1 bacterial species or strain, and some were produced by all strains tested. Multivariate analysis using similarity matrices, cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling (MDS) was used to determine whether there was a characteristic VC profile at either the species or strain level. Significant discrimination of all bacterial species and strains was achieved by analysing the VC profiles, and the relative similarity of VC profiles could be differentiated in 2 or 3 dimensional space. This study has shown that there are significant differences in the volatile profiles obtained from various bacterial monocultures grown in vitro, and that the analysis techniques herein employed have the potential to differentiate samples at the strain level.

Citation

Thorn, R., Reynolds, D. M., & Greenman, J. (2011). Multivariate analysis of bacterial volatile compound profiles for discrimination between selected species and strains in vitro. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 84(2), 258-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2010.12.001

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2011
Deposit Date Jul 28, 2011
Journal Journal of Microbiological Methods
Print ISSN 0167-7012
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Volume 84
Issue 2
Pages 258-264
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2010.12.001
Keywords multivariate analysis, species discrimination, volatile compounds
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/965772
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2010.12.001