Time-resolved metabolic fingerprinting of bacterial stress responses using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Accurate detection of bacterial physiological states is crucial for research and diagnostics.
• Traditional methods like culturing are slow, and molecular techniques miss dynamic metabolic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a proof-of-concept for using SERS to monitor bacterial stress responses.
• To assess the feasibility of near-real-time metabolic fingerprinting of bacterial activity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy.
• Monitored metabolites released by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli under controlled stress (deionized water).
• Focused on detecting changes in purine metabolism (adenine, hypoxanthine).

Main Results:

• SERS detected bacterial stress responses via changes in purine metabolism.
• Identified adenine and hypoxanthine at concentrations below conventional Raman limits.
• Demonstrated long-term monitoring of metabolite excretion, showing robustness for stress dynamics.

Conclusions:

• SERS enables rapid, near-real-time metabolic fingerprinting of bacterial activity.
• This approach offers a pathway for rapid bacterial viability assessment.
• Provides a foundation for studying bacterial responses to antimicrobial agents.