Raman imaging of microbial colonization in rock-some analytical aspects

0524560 - ÚVGZ 2021 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Vítek, Petr - Ascaso, C. - Artieda, O. - Casero, M. C. - Wierzchos, J.
Raman imaging of microbial colonization in rock-some analytical aspects.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. Roč. 412, č. 15 (2020), s. 3717-3726. ISSN 1618-2642. E-ISSN 1618-2650
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) LTC18036; GA MŠMT(CZ) EF16_019/0000797
Research Infrastructure: CzeCOS III - 90123
Institutional support: RVO:86652079
Keywords : plant-cell walls * atacama desert * halite * lignin * spectroscopy * microfossils * communities * microscope * cellulose * search * Raman mapping * Geobiology * Astrobiology * Scytonemin * Image analysis * Bioimage
OECD category: Ecology
Impact factor: 4.157, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00216-020-02622-8

Raman imaging allows one to obtain spatially resolved chemical information in a nondestructive manner. Herein, we present analytical aspects of effective in situ and in vivo Raman imaging of algae and cyanobacteria from within their native rock habitats. Specifically, gypsum and halite inhabited by endolithic communities from the hyperarid Atacama Desert were analyzed. Raman imaging of these phototrophic colonization reveals a pigment composition within the aggregates that helps in understanding some of their adaptation strategies to survive in this harsh polyextreme environment. The study is focused on methodical aspects of Raman imaging acquisition and subsequent data processing. Point imaging is compared with line imaging in terms of their image quality, spatial resolution, spectral signal-to-noise ratio, time requirements, and risk of laser-induced sample alteration. The roles of excitation wavelength, exposure time, and step size of the imaging grid on successful Raman imaging results are also discussed.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0308909