Integrated biorecognition - mass spectrometry approaches

Samenvatting

The current monitoring strategy in the EU food safety systems consists of a two-tiered approach; first, screening using bioassays and then, confirmation using chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. However, shifts in socioeconomic, environmental, and ethical issues could increase the need for confirmatory analysis from official routine laboratories. To cope with the increased future demand, several alternative approaches were developed as part of this PhD research. The approaches combine modified versions of conventional screening and confirmation technologies used in food safety-related protocols. First, modified bioassays based on monoclonal antibodies were crafted to replace the conventional screening by providing a biorecognition-based isolation. Second, ambient ionization mass spectrometry is used in place of the cumbersome processes involved with chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Integrating biorecognition to ambient ionization mass spectrometry, leads to an increase in selectivity, making the techniques of potential use in future regulatory settings, providing easier, high-throughput approaches for improved food safety testing.