ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Gas chromatography (GC)/ mass spectrometry (MS) technique and its application in diagnostic microbiology. It discusses technological advances, including computerization, automation, and the development of cheaper and more compact GC/MS instruments. GC is used in clinical microbiological laboratories mainly in the identification of strict anaerobic bacteria by analyzing short-chain fatty acids excreted by the anaerobes into a liquid culture medium. GC is an excellent method for separating compounds of moderate molecular weight. Magnetic sector and quadrupole GC/MS instruments are available with facilities for automatic sample injection, and adaptable to different, preprogrammed GC conditions as well as to conditions for ionization and ion scanning, computerized evaluation of results. The most widely employed GC approach in clinical microbiological laboratories is in the identification of anaerobic bacteria. The GC/MS interface provides a link between the GC column which operates at atmospheric pressure, and the MS which frequently operates under high vacuum.
