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Applications of Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy in microbial cell biology and environmental microbiology: advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Frontiers in Microbiology 2023 171 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Amin Kassem, Lana Abbas, Oliver A Coutinho, Somie Opara, Hawraa Najaf, Diana Kasperek, Keshav Pokhrel, Xiaohua Li, Sonia M. Tiquia-Arashiro

Summary

This review covers how Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is used in microbiology to identify microorganisms, study biofilms, and monitor environmental interactions. While not directly about microplastics, FT-IR is one of the primary tools scientists use to identify and measure microplastic contamination in environmental samples. The review discusses challenges and future directions that could improve microplastic detection accuracy.

Microorganisms play pivotal roles in shaping ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. Their intricate interactions involve complex biochemical processes. Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for monitoring these interactions, revealing microorganism composition and responses to the environment. This review explores the diversity of applications of FT-IR spectroscopy within the field of microbiology, highlighting its specific utility in microbial cell biology and environmental microbiology. It emphasizes key applications such as microbial identification, process monitoring, cell wall analysis, biofilm examination, stress response assessment, and environmental interaction investigation, showcasing the crucial role of FT-IR in advancing our understanding of microbial systems. Furthermore, we address challenges including sample complexity, data interpretation nuances, and the need for integration with complementary techniques. Future prospects for FT-IR in environmental microbiology include a wide range of transformative applications and advancements. These include the development of comprehensive and standardized FT-IR libraries for precise microbial identification, the integration of advanced analytical techniques, the adoption of high-throughput and single-cell analysis, real-time environmental monitoring using portable FT-IR systems and the incorporation of FT-IR data into ecological modeling for predictive insights into microbial responses to environmental changes. These innovative avenues promise to significantly advance our understanding of microorganisms and their complex interactions within various ecosystems.

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