Open AccessProduction of volatile organic compounds by mycobacteria
Author(s) -
McNerney Ruth,
Mallard Kim,
Okolo Phyllis Ifeoma,
Turner Claire
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02493.x
Subject(s) - chemistry , mycobacterium smegmatis , bacteria , mycobacterium , chromatography , mycobacterium bovis , microbiology and biotechnology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , mass spectrometry , acetoin , mycobacterium fortuitum , methanol , biochemistry , fermentation , organic chemistry , biology , tuberculosis , medicine , pathology , genetics
The need for improved rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis disease has prompted interest in the volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) emitted by M ycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria. We have investigated VOCs emitted by M ycobacterium bovis BCG grown on L owenstein– J ensen media using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry and thermal desorption‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Compounds observed included dimethyl sulphide, 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, 2‐methyl‐1‐propanol, butanone, 2‐methyl‐1‐butanol, methyl 2‐methylbutanoate, 2‐phenylethanol and hydrogen sulphide. Changes in levels of acetaldehyde, methanol and ammonia were also observed. The compounds identified are not unique to M . bovis BCG , and further studies are needed to validate their diagnostic value. Investigations using an ultra‐rapid gas chromatograph with a surface acoustic wave sensor ( zN ose) demonstrated the presence of 2‐phenylethanol ( PEA ) in the headspace of cultures of M . bovis BCG and M ycobacterium smegmatis , when grown on L owenstein– J ensen supplemented with glycerol. PEA is a reversible inhibitor of DNA synthesis. It is used during selective isolation of gram‐positive bacteria and may also be used to inhibit mycobacterial growth. PEA production was observed to be dependent on growth of mycobacteria. Further study is required to elucidate the metabolic pathways involved and assess whether this compound is produced during in vivo growth of mycobacteria.