Multitoxin biosensor-mass spectrometry analysis: a new approach for rapid,real-time, sensitive analysis of staphylococcal toxins in food

Biomolecular interaction analysis mass spectrometry (BIA-MS) was applied to detection of bacterial toxins in food samples. This two-step approach util izes surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to detect the binding of the toxin(s) to antibodies immobilized on a surface of a sensor chip. SPR detection is t hen followed by identification of the bound toxin(s) by matrix-assisted las er desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Staphylococcal e nterotoxin B (SEB) was readily detected in milk and mushroom samples at lev els of 1 ng/ml. In addition, non-specific binding of food components to the immobilized antibody and to the sensor chip surface was detected. To evalu ate the applicability of BIA-MS in the analysis of materials containing mul tiple toxic components, sample containing both SEE and toxic-shock syndrome toxin-l was analyzed. Both toxins were successfully and simultaneously det ected through the utilization of multiaffinity sensor chip surfaces. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.