Ambient ionization strategies for the characterization of microbial systems via mass spectrometry

Abstract

Ambient ionization sources enable analysis via mass spectrometry (MS) with minimal sample handling and without vacuum-based ionization/sampling. The versatile nature of ambient ionization techniques makes them well suited for both high-throughput analyses and in situ spatial characterization. Ambient MS platforms such as desorption electrospray ionization (DESI-MS), direct analysis in real time (DART-MS), paper spray (PS-MS), and secondary electrospray ionization (SESI-MS) are particularly amenable for microbial analysis and have recently been utilized for rapid profiling of microorganisms and imaging of fragile substrates with complex biochemistries. This minireview aims to provide an overview of contemporary ambient ionization technologies coupled with MS and summarize the recent application areas of these strategies in the characterization of microbial systems via mass spectrometry over the past five years.