Being the most frequent form of genetic variation among microbial
species, SNPs can be exploited for identification and to
study dynamics of microbial populations (Schork et al. 2000).
In fact, SNPs have been systematically described as excellent
targets for definition of microbial taxonomy and detection of
specific lineages (Aydin et al. 2001; Jung et al. 2012). The
screen of genomic SNPs can be performed following sequencing
analysis or employing other indirect but practical strategies.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight
mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) employs highresolution
power to evaluate the molecular weight of the various
molecular products; its applicability in laboratories is
limited by the need for high-purity samples (Haff and
Smirnov 1997)