Species Determination and Quantitation in Mixtures Using MRM Mass Spectrometry of Peptides Applied to Meat AuthenticationYvonne Gunning 1, Andrew D. Watson 1, Neil M. Rigby 2, Mark Philo 1, Joshua K. Peazer 1,3, E. Kate Kemsley 1
1Analytical Sciences Unit, Institute of Food Research, 2Institute of Food Research, 3School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia
We present a protocol for identifying and quantifying the components in mixtures of species possessing similar proteins. Mass spectrometry detects peptides for identification, and gives relative quantitation by ratios of peak areas. As a tool food for fraud detection, the method can detect 1% horse in beef.