Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
06:34

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Published on: July 11, 2016

19.9K

Development and application of MALDI-TOF MS for identification of food spoilage fungi

Laura Quéro1, Victoria Girard2, Audrey Pawtowski3

  • 1Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, IBSAM, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France; BioMérieux, R&D Microbiologie, Route de Port Michaud, 38390 La Balme les Grottes, France.

Food Microbiology
|March 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) offers a rapid and accurate method for identifying food spoilage fungi. A new comprehensive spectral database achieved high identification rates, improving food safety and quality management.

Area of Science:

  • Food Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Filamentous fungi are major contributors to food spoilage, causing significant economic losses.
  • Accurate and rapid identification of spoilage fungi is crucial for food safety and quality control.
  • Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a promising technique for microbial identification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a comprehensive spectral database for identifying food spoilage molds using MALDI-TOF MS.
  • To evaluate the performance of the developed database for accurate fungal identification.

Main Methods:

  • A standardized extraction protocol was applied to 618 fungal strains from 136 species.
  • 6477 spectra were acquired and integrated into the VITEK MS database.
  • Database performance was assessed through cross-validation and testing with external isolates.

Main Results:

  • The developed database achieved approximately 95% correct identification to the species level via cross-validation.
  • Identification accuracy was independent of cultivation medium and incubation time.
  • External validation demonstrated 90% correct species-level identification for 52 species.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the most extensive database of food-relevant filamentous fungi to date.
  • MALDI-TOF MS with the developed database is a reliable alternative to conventional methods for identifying spoilage fungi.
  • This approach enhances rapid detection in food and industrial settings, improving food safety management.
Keywords:
Filamentous fungiFood spoilageIdentificationMALDI-TOF MS

More Related Videos

Rapid Identification of Gram Negative Bacteria from Blood Culture Broth Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry13:29

Rapid Identification of Gram Negative Bacteria from Blood Culture Broth Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: May 28, 2014

25.0K
Identification of RNA Fragments Resulting from Enzymatic Degradation using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry09:20

Identification of RNA Fragments Resulting from Enzymatic Degradation using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 11, 2022

3.8K

Related Concept Videos

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry01:19

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
6.6K
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
47.2K
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
1.7K
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
2.4K
Sustainable Development01:43

Sustainable Development

As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.
14.8K
Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry01:27

Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry

Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
1.4K