Accurate Testing of Complicated Food Matrices

Besides these representative studies, Thermo Fisher Scientific is actively studying an array of other contaminants (pesticides, mycotoxins, beta-agonists) in a variety of food matrices (fruit juice, wine, meat, and animal organs) using the TLX system with TurboFlow technology to minimize sample preparation, enhance analysis accuracy and reliability, and improve sample throughput.

Multiplexing capabilities of certain LC/MS systems such as the Thermo Scientific Transcend system allow up to four independent, parallel HPLC systems to run into a single MS, quadrupling the throughput of a traditional LC/MS. In addition, this unique multiplexing technology has attracted a great deal of interest because of its capability to run multiple methods simultaneously, one of the most important features desired by food safety and quality laboratories.

Online sample extraction utilizing turbulent flow chromatography coupled with LC/MS/MS and complementary techniques has gained popularity in the food safety arena. The objective of this technology is to provide automated, high-resolution, high-sensitivity, and high-specificity separation of target analytes from extremely complex food matrices, removing the need for manual sample preparation and increasing sample throughput. Turbulent flow chromatography also facilitates mass spectrometry detection and quantitative measurement and minimizes ion suppression and matrix effects. In addition, the multiplexing capability of the Aria TLX system can quadruple the throughput of a turbulent flow chromatography method, providing unmatched productivity and cost savings.

Dr. Shi is a senior scientist, Lafontaine is an applications chemist, Fink is a product manager, and Dr. Espourteille is manager, applications, at Thermo Fisher Scientific. For more information, contact Dr. Shi at [email protected] or at (508) 520-5575.

References

1. Soler C, Manes J, Pico Y. The role of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in pesticide residue determination in food. CRC CR Rev Anal Chem. 2008;38(2):93-117.
2. Yang C, Ghosh D. LC-MS/MS analysis of malachite green, leucomalachite green, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline in food samples using a TurboFlow method. Thermo Fisher Scientific Application Note 442. Available at: www.thermo.com/eThermo/CMA/PDFs/Articles/articlesFile_9061.pdf. Accessed August 2009.
3. Lafontaine C, Shi Y, Espourteille FA. Multi-class antibiotic screening of honey using online extraction with LC-MS/MS. Thermo Scientific Application Note 464. Available at: www.thermo.com/eThermo/CMA/PDFs/Articles/articlesFile_51570.pdf. Accessed August 4, 2009.
4. Hammel Y, Schoutsen F, Martins CPB. Analysis of (Fluoro)quinolones in honey with online sample extraction and LC-MS/MS. Thermo Fisher Scientific Application Note 465. Available at: www.thermo.com/eThermo/CMA/PDFs/Articles/articlesFile_51980.pdf. Accessed August 4, 2009.
5. Di Bussolo J, Rohm R. Comparing ESI and APCI sources to screen dairy-based foods for melamine by rapid on-line extraction with LC-MS/MS. Paper presented at: 57th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics; June 3, 2009; Philadelphia.