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Analysis of individual biological particles by mass spectrometryA method is developed for the detection and identification of biological particles introduced in aerosol form into a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The bacterial aerosol is generated by nebulizing an ethanol suspension. The particles are introduced into the ion source of the mass spectrometer in the form of a beam, where they are individually volatilized on a V-type rhenium filament and ionized by electron impaction. It is shown that the average intensity of a mass peak is obtained from the pulse height distribution of about a thousand ion pulses from different particles. Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus cereus are used in the studies. Differences between the relative intensities of mass peaks in the spectra from P. putida and B. subtilis are found and may provide a method for differentiation of microorganisms. The results for the two species agree reasonably well with those reported by Kistemaker et al. (1975) and Schulten et al. (1973). However, there exist some differences between the two spectra in the high mass range due to the difference in the pyrolysis conditions.
Document ID
19850045398
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sinha, M. P.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)
Platz, R. M.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Vilker, V. L.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Friedlander, S. K.
(California, University Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: International Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Ion Processes
Volume: 57
ISSN: 0168-1176
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
85A27549
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF CPE-80-08686
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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