Patent ID: 11137398

Abstract:
In a method for analyzing a microorganism using a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometer, a matrix-and-additive mixture solution prepared by mixing one or both of an alkylphosphonic acid and a surfactant with a matrix substance is used for matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization. Either an alkylphosphonic acid or a surfactant, or both of them are used as matrix additives and are mixed with the matrix substance beforehand to prepare a matrix-and-additive mixture solution. After a solution which contains a microorganism to be analyzed has been dropped onto a sample plate, the matrix-and-additive mixture solution is dropped onto that solution and dried to form a mixed crystal which contains both the constituents of the microorganism and the matrix substance. This crystal is used as a sample for MALDI-MS analysis. The sensitivity of analysis is thereby improved, without increasing the amount of time and labor required for sample preparation.