Identification of meat species in processed meat products by using protein based laser induced breakdown spectroscopy assay.

The detection of meat fraud and mislabeling in processed meat products is a raising concern for consumers. The aim of this study was to develop and demonstrate the potential of protein-based laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) method to be used for the identification of beef, chicken, and pork in fermented sausage and salami products. In this respect, bulk protein and protein fractions rich in sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein of sausage and salami products were obtained and subjected to LIBS analysis. LIBS spectrum was evaluated with chemometric methods to classify meat species and determine adulteration ratio by using principal component analysis and partial least square analysis, respectively. Limit of detection values for chicken and pork adulteration in beef sausage were found as 3.68 and 3.83% for myofibrillar fraction, while those values in beef salami were found as 3.80 and 3.47% for sarcoplasmic fraction, respectively.

Protein based evaluation of meat species by using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Meat adulteration through partial substitution with cheaper species or mislabeling causes significant problems in terms of health, religious beliefs, economy, and product quality. Therefore, identification of meat species is crucial for monitoring and prevention of meat fraud. In the present study, protein based laser induced breakdown spectroscopy method was developed for the first time to identify three meat species (beef, chicken and pork) by using bulk proteins and protein fractions, namely actin and myosin. LIBS spectra were evaluated with principal component analysis for clustering pattern of meat species, and partial least square analysis was performed to determine adulteration ratio. In PLS analysis, limit of detection (LOD) values for beef adulteration with chicken and pork meat were calculated as 2.84% and 3.89% by using bulk proteins, respectively.