MALDI TOF MS Analysis Laboratory

MALDI-TOF MS is an acronym derived from the English phrase “matrix assisted laser desorption / ionization, time-of-flight, mass spectrometry” meaning matrix assisted laser desorption / ionization, time of flight, mass spectrometry. MALDI TOF MS analysis method, with its powerful database and excellent performance, is increasingly used in microbiology clinical laboratories for the identification of pathogenic bacteria, especially microaerobes, anaerobes, mycobacteria and fungi.

In recent years, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a potential tool for microbial identification and diagnosis. During MALDI-TOF MS analysis, microbes are identified using either intact cells or cell extracts. The process is fast, precise and economical in terms of both labor and costs. This method is used for a number of purposes such as microbial identification and strain typing, epidemiological studies, detection of biological warfare agents, detection of water and foodborne pathogens, and has been readily adopted by microbiologists for analysis of antibiotic resistance and blood and urinary tract pathogens, and so on.

The sample to be analyzed by MALDI MS is prepared by mixing or coating it with a solution of an energy-absorbing organic compound called a matrix. When the matrix crystallizes during drying, the sample retained in the matrix also co-crystallises. The sample in the matrix is ​​ionized in an automatic mode with a laser beam. Laser beam desorption and ionization produce individually protonated ions from the analytes in the sample. The protonated ions are then accelerated to a constant potential, where they are separated from each other on the basis of the mass-to-charge ratio. The loaded analytes are then detected and measured using time-of-flight (TOF) analyzers.

During MALDI-TOF analysis, the mass/charge ratio of an ion is measured by determining the time it takes to travel the length of the flight tube. Several TOF analyzers contain an ion mirror at the rear end of the flight tube that serves to reflect ions back from the flight tube to a detector. This mirror not only increases the length of the flight tube, but also corrects for small energy differences between the ions.

Our organization also provides MALDI TOF MS analysis laboratory services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.