SherlockTM Chromatographic Analysis System (CAS) - Fatty Acid Analysis & Microbial Identification

Significance of the Topic

The analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and microbial identification by gas chromatography is critical in fields ranging from environmental monitoring and bioremediation to pharmaceutical quality control and biodefense. Accurate, reproducible fatty acid profiling enables objective characterization of complex samples, supports pathogen detection, and guides decisions in crop science, marine biology and bioenergy research.

Objectives and Study Overview

This specification sheet introduces the Sherlockâ„¢ Chromatographic Analysis System (CAS) coupled with Shimadzu GC-2010/2030 instruments. It aims to demonstrate:

• Automated identification of FAME profiles for compound and microbial library matching.
• Integration of pattern recognition algorithms to ensure inter-laboratory reproducibility.
• Cost-effective workflows for routine and sensitive applications.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The Sherlock CAS workflow comprises sample preparation, GC analysis and software-based data interpretation. Key methodological steps include:

• Harvesting ~20 mg wet biomass per sample from pure cultures (24–48 h incubation).
• Four-step liquid-liquid extraction and derivatization in a single test tube.
• Automatic GC injection using split/splitless mode and flame ionization detection.
• Pattern recognition against extensive fatty acid and microbial libraries.

Instrumentation Used

The system hardware and software configuration includes:

• Shimadzu GC-2010/2030 with J&W Ultra 2 column (25 m × 0.20 mm × 0.33 μm), FID detector, 12- or 150-vial tray, 10 μL fixed-needle syringe and split/splitless liner.
• Windows® PC running MIDI Sherlock and Shimadzu LabSolutions™ software.
• Carrier gas: hydrogen (99.999%+); makeup gas: nitrogen (99.999%+); industrial-grade air for FID.
• Data export and library generation modules; PLFA and marine analysis tools supporting PCA, dendrograms and concentration calculations.

Key Results and Discussion

The system delivers objective fatty acid profiling and microbial identification with:

• Throughput of up to 6 routine samples per hour (aerobes, biothreat agents) and 2 sensitive samples per hour (anaerobes, yeasts).
• Consumable cost under USD 3.00 per sample, covering reagents, gases, standards and media.
• Comprehensive libraries: over 900 environmental aerobes, 769 broth-grown anaerobes, 156 plate-grown anaerobes, plus marine and soil PLFA entries.
• Software tools for customizing libraries, exporting data to spreadsheets and databases, and performing advanced multivariate analyses.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The Sherlock CAS offers:

• Rapid, reproducible microbial identification without prior Gram staining or offline tests.
• Versatility across markets: biological sciences, environmental monitoring, food and supplement industries, crop and soil science, pharmaceutical QC, marine research and bioenergy.
• Standardized calibration for consistent inter-lab performance.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging developments are expected to include:

• Expansion of microbial and compound libraries with next-generation pattern recognition and machine learning.
• Integration of high-throughput robotics for sample prep and incubation monitoring.
• Miniaturized or portable GC platforms for field-based analyses.
• Hybrid workflows combining GC with MS or other detectors for enhanced specificity.

Conclusion

The Sherlock Chromatographic Analysis System integrated with Shimadzu GC instruments provides a cost-effective, high-throughput solution for FAME profiling and microbial identification. Its robust hardware, comprehensive libraries and advanced software tools support a wide array of applications in environmental, industrial and defense settings.

Reference

No specific literature references were provided in the original specification sheet.