Influence of environmental settings in geographically distinct ports on the protein profiles of cultivable bacteria using MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry

The protein profiles of bacteria are useful markers in their identification. In this study, we examined the influence of environmental settings on the protein profiles of culturable bacteria using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS). We compared the protein profiles of bacteria collected from geographically distinct port environments (Kolkata, a freshwater port, and Kandla, a marine port) from India. The results indicated that bacterial species were distinctly different between the two ports, except for a few bacteria, that were common, such as Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter cloacae, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, P. stutzeri, P. mosselii and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Mass spectra of these common bacterial species, a few pathogenic among them, differed in their protein profiles and relative intensity of peaks. These variations point out that environmental settings/factors have a significant role in the protein expression and can result in differentiated virulence of pathogens. Identifying these risk factors is crucial in developing appropriate environmental port management practices.