Analysis of volatile emissions from grape berries infected with Aspergillus carbonarius using hyphenated and portable mass spectrometry

Abstract

Mycotoxins represent a serious risk for human and animal health. Οchratoxin A (OTA) is a carcinogenic mycotoxin produced by A. carbonarius that constitutes a severe problem for viticulture. In this study, we investigate the development of novel detection and on-line monitoring approaches for the detection of OTA in the field (i.e. out of the chemical laboratory) using advanced molecular sensing. Both stand-alone and hyphenated mass spectrometry (MS) based systems (e.g. Time-of-Flight ToF–MS and gas chromatography GC combined with MS) and compact portable membrane inlet MS (MIMS) have been employed for the first time to detect and monitor volatile emissions of grape berries infected by the fungus Aspergillus carbonarius. In vacuo (electron impact—EI) and ambient ionisation (electrospray ionisation—ESI) techniques were also examined. On-line measurements of the volatile emissions of grape berries, infected by various strains of A. carbonarius with different toxicity levels, were performed resulting in different olfactory chemical profiles with a common core of characteristic mass fragments, which could be eventually used for on-site detection and monitoring allowing consequent improvement in food security.

Application of the Metabolomics Approach in Food Authentication

“…DART coupled with MS is sought as a highthroughput tool for both the targeted and non-targeted analysis of food components in metabolomics fingerprinting or profiling. The instrument is also applicable in the quantification of low-molecular-weight metabolites, including trace materials or contaminants in food matrices [58]. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is another application used in food safety to detect natural toxins, including mycotoxins, pesticides, and veterinary drug residues.…”

BeerMIMS: Exploring the Use of Membrane-Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) Coupled to KNIME for the Characterization of Danish Beers

“…Some of the specific m/z ratios are m/z 55, 56, 67 (Figure 3), several of these features have been observed while testing of beers via GC-MS 24 and wines using MIMS. 25 As per Martin and co-workers, the m/z 55, 56 and 69 could arise from higher alcohols such as 3-hepetenol, 3-octenol, 3-ethyl-1-dodecanol. 24 The fragments of these higher alcohols can be around the range m/z 55 (fragment C4*).…”

Aptamers Adsorbed on WSe2 Nanosheets in a Label-Free Colorimetric Aptasensor for Ochratoxin A

“…The traditional methods of mycotoxin analysis include highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC), 7 gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), 8 and LC-MS/MS. 9 Despite their relatively high accuracy, these chromatographic techniques require expensive instruments, complicated preprocessing, and professional staff, limiting their applications in on-site analysis.…”