Chemical characterization of airborne bacteria using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS)

摘要

In this study, the chemical characterization of airborne bacteria is explored using X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). Samples were taken by using a 6-stage Andersen impactor. Airborne bacteria were collected on nutrient media in Petri dishes located on all impactor stages. On the basis of the obtained XPS spectra the ratios of N/C, O/C, and P/C were calculated for 11 Gram-positive and 4 Gram-negative strains. The results agree well with the data obtained by others for the test microorganisms/stock cultures. It is concluded that XPS analysis might be applied for identification of airborne bacterial strains and species but rather in conjunction with different techniques. Especially, a complementary method to XPS seems to be FTIRS.