Review on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the rapid screening of microbial species: A promising bioanalytical tool

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has achieved considerable progress in bacterial analysis, allowing the identification of pathogenic microbial species at both species and genus level. This review analyzes the recent progress and implications of MALDI-TOF MS as a promising biotool for the rapid analysis of multiple pathogenic microbes in environmental and clinical samples. Nanoparticle (NP)-based MALDI-TOF MS methods for accurate bacterial analysis are also discussed. This review also summarizes sample preparation protocols and used matrix solutions in MALDI-TOF MS for the analysis of microbial species. Furthermore, we discuss the currently established advantages and limitations of MALDI-TOF MS in identifying microbial species.