Rapid and Robust Bacterial Species Identification Using Hyperspectral
Microscopy and Gram Staining Techniques
Abstract
Gram staining can classify bacterial species into two large groups based
on cell wall differences. Our study revealed that within the same Gram
group (Gram-positive or Gram-negative), subtle cell wall variations can
alter staining outcomes, with the peptidoglycan layer and lipid content
significantly influencing this effect. Thus, bacteria within the same
group can also be differentiated by their spectra. Using hyperspectral
microscopy, we identified six species of intestinal bacteria with 98.1%
accuracy. Our study also demonstrated that selecting the right spectral
band and background calibration can enhance the model’s robustness and
facilitate precise identification of varying sample batches. This method
is suitable for analyzing bacterial community pathologies.