Matrix assisted time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems for identification of micro-organisms in clinical microbiology laboratories are performed on reusable steel targets or disposable targets.

Disposable targets are more expensive than reusable steel targets.

Reusable steel targets require meticulous target cleaning.

Overall identification quality is not affected by using disposable targets.

Yeast identification quality is slightly improved using disposable targets.

Enterobacterales identification quality is minorly worse using disposable targets.

MALDI-TOF MS identifications of microorganisms in a clinical laboratory were investigated, comparing steel targets with MBT Biotargets. By using MBT Biotargets, the score values of yeast identifications increased, whereas the score values of Gram-negative bacteria decreased. Switching to MBT Biotargets did not negatively impact overall frequencies of high confidence identifications.

MALDI-TOF MS

Biotarget

Steel target

Yeast

Identification

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.