Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra were obtained from single biological aerosol particles using an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS). The inlet to the ATOFMS was coupled with an evaporation/condensation flow cell that allowed the aerosol to be coated with matrix material as the sampled stream entered the spectrometer. Mass spectra were generated from aerosol composed either of gramicidin-S or erythromycin, two small biological molecules, or from aerosolised spores of Bacillus subtilis var niger. Three different matrices were used: 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol, picolinic acid and sinapinic acid. A spectrum of gramicidin-S was generated from approximately 250 attomoles of material using a molar ratio of 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol to analyte of approximately 20:1. A single peak, located at 1224 Da, was obtained from the bacterial spores. The washing liquid and extract solution from the spores were analyzed using electrospray mass spectrometry and subsequent MS/MS product ion experiments. This independent analysis suggests that the measured species represents part of the B. subtilis peptidoglycan. The on-line addition of matrix allows quasi-real-time chemical analysis of individual, aerodynamically sized particles, with an overall system residence time of less than 5 seconds. These results suggest that a MALDI-ATOFMS can provide nearly real-time identification of biological aerosols. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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We have designed, constructed, and tested a system that preselects the biological fraction of airborne particles from the overall aerosol. The preselection is based on fluorescence emission excited by a continuous 266 nm laser beam. This beam is one of two cw beams used to measure the aerodynamic particle size of sampled particles. The intention in our system is that single particles, based on size and fluorescence emission, can be selected and further examined for chemical composition by mass spectrometry.

The performance and improvements of an aerosol mass spectrometer for the real time analysis of bioaerosol particles is described. The instrument can preselect the biological aerosol particles from non-biological particles, by recording the emitted fluorescence when the particles are irradiated with 266 nm laser light. The fluorescing particles are further investigated by mass spectrometry. With the current performance of the mass spectrometer the produced mass spectra have high resolution and cover a mass range up to 85 kDalton. The capability of the aerosol mass spectrometer to produce good quality spectra of bacteria particles is shown with a mass spectrum of Erwinia herbicola. For the application of the aerosol mass spectrometer the possible interference of (background) soot particles onto the preselection is investigated and a minor interference is determined.

Background Because of the enormous demand for personal protective equipment and especially respiratory protective devices (respirators) during the initial phase of the corona pandemic shortages arose. Sterilisation of used respirators can reduce these shortages. In our study, respirator testing was carried out after only one sterilisation cycle. Aim To determine if steam sterilisation and reuse could be safely applied for used respirators. Methods In a cabinet an aqueous solution of NaCl (0.02% w/v) was nebulized and passed through a sample of the material of a respirator. Passing particle concentrations were measured directly from the cabinet and via the filter material of the respirator for particles ≥ 0.3 μm, ≥ 0.5 μm and ≥ 1.0 μm. Findings only three out of ten steam sterilised respirators met the requirements of 94% filtration efficiency. Conclusion The results prove that heat sterilisation cannot be generically applied for reuse of respirators safely.