Characterization of the Extracellular Volatile Metabolome of Applying an Biofilm Model under Cystic Fibrosis-Like Conditions.

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease that leads to the production of thickened mucus in the lungs, favouring polymicrobial infections, such as chronic lung infections with the bacterial opportunistic pathogen .

METHOD

A biofilm model in combination with an adapted sampling and GC-MS analysis method were applied to studies on different variables influencing the composition of the extracellular volatile metabolome of .

RESULTS

A significant influence on the metabolome could be demonstrated for the culture medium as well as the atmosphere during cultivation (aerobic or anaerobic). Furthermore, a significant influence of the mucoid (alginate-overproducing) phenotype of the bacterium on quantity and composition of volatile organic compounds could be observed. Based on the results a solid culture medium was developed to simulate the nutrient conditions in the lungs of a CF patient. The extracellular volatile metabolome of bacterial strains ATCC 10145, PAO1 and FRD1 was characterized under CF-like conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacterial strain-dependent metabolites were identified. When PAO1 and FRD1 clinical isolates were compared, 36 metabolites showed significant variations in intensities. When the clinical isolates were compared with the reference strain ( ATCC 10145), 28 metabolites ( PAO1) and 70 metabolites ( FRD1) were determined whose peaks showed significant deviation ( > 95%) in intensity. Furthermore, the bacterial strains could be differentiated from each other by means of two principal components.