ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to establish Raman signatures from pure cultures of different Candida species using Raman Spectroscopy [RS] and use these signatures for rapid identification of unknown Candida species. Pure cultures of five Candida species were evaluated using RS to build a limited signature library. 'Raman Processing' [RP] software was used for Principal Component Analysis [PCA] and Differential Functional Analysis [DFA]. Eleven principal components described at least 95% variance in the spectra. Raman signatures from these known Candida species were able to identify the species of unknown Candida cultures with 100% accuracy. Raman spectroscopy can improve early identification of Candida species and may facilitate early optimal antifungal therapy