Differentiation of raw meat using MALDI-TOF and principal component statistical analysis

User Benefits

- Simple sample preparation – homogenise, add acetonitrile, adjust pH and spot. - Low cost per sample. - Rapid analysis – MALDI acquires high quality spectra in minutes hence amenable to automated sample analysis.

Introduction

Food fraud can lead to consumers ingesting foodstuffs that have been adulterated and may not be fit for human consumption. In 2013, the horsemeat scandal was big news in Europe, where beef products were found to contain large quantities of horse meat (up to 100%) that had entered the human food supply through criminal activity. In 2021, the horse meat scandal resurfaced with reports of horse meat being passed off as veal. This type of criminal activity is particularly disturbing as it illustrates a complete breakdown of traceability and quality standards in our food supply. According to the UK Parliament’s POSTNOTE 624 on food fraud, one of the barriers to tackling food fraud is the cost and availability of testing. This work sets out to demonstrate the utility of the MALDI-8030 MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, in combination with eMSTAT ^TM Solution statistical analysis software, for the screening of raw meats. The identification of the species of origin and the ability to rapidly and cost-effectively profile meat species will help to improve food security and prevent meat adulteration at the outset.

January 26, 2023 GMT