Effects of ion mode and matrix additives in the identification of bacteria by intact cell mass spectrometry

Protocols for the identification of bacterial cells by intact cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ICM-TOFMS) are presented. A mass range of 500 to 10,000 m/z is used. The use of formic acid and the crown ether 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane (18-crown-6) is described. Crown ether is useful for removing metal ion adducts, which degrade spectral purity, and formic acid promotes positive ions, improves spectral signal, and, hence, increases identification certainty.