Two-dimensional low resolution Raman spectroscopy applied to fast discrimination of clinically relevant microorganisms: A whole-organism fingerprinting approach

The discrimination of the bacteria that cause gastroenteritis through classical microbiological methods is very efficient in the great majority of the cases. However, the high cost of chemicals and the time spent for such identifications, about four days, could generate serious consequences for the patients. Thus, the search for low cost spectroscopic methods which would allow a fast and reagentless discrimination of these microorganisms is extremely relevant. In this work the main microorganisms that cause gastroenteritis: E. coli, S. chroleraesuis, S. flexneri were studied. For each of the microorganisms sixty different dispersions were prepared using physiological solution as solvent and its Raman spectra recorded. The 1D spectra obtained were similar, making it very difficult to differentiate the microorganisms. However, applying the 2D correlation method, it was possible to identify the microorganisms evaluated using the synchronous spectrum as whole-organism fingerprinting in a reduced time interval (similar to 10 h).