Rapid quality control of black truffles using Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry and Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

This work is the first to describe the application of Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry for rapid and simple quality control of black truffles. Multivariate analyses (PCA and LDA) of mass spectra provided highly efficient models for the discrimination of four truffle species, namely Tuber melanosporum VITTAD., Tuber aestivum VITTAD., Tuber uncinatum CHATIN and Tuber indicum COOKE ET MASSEE. Full-cross validations showed prediction ac-curacies up to 99%. Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry was used as a reference method and the results of both methods were compared to each other. Multivariate models of the chromatograms also showed excellent results with prediction accuracies of 100%. In a direct comparison of methods, Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry showed minimally lower prediction accuracies, but was significantly faster, more robust and easier to use, making it an excellent choice for rapid quality control of black truffles.