Field validation of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-ToF) for the identification of dairy microorganisms critical for safety and quality

 

Team: Godden, S. (PI), Schoenfuss, T., Fink, R., Timmerman, J., Gebhart, C., Royster, E., Wells, S.

Funding Source: CVM Hatch Formula Funds

Project Time Frame: 2014-2016

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight analysis (MALDI-ToF) is an exciting new diagnostic method that may overcome limitations of current diagnostic techniques, including timeliness, expense and accuracy. The first objective is to develop and evaluate extraction methods to improve the MALDI-ToF method’s ability to detect Mycoplasma bovis as well as individual species of Bacillus and Paenibacillus of importance to udder health, food safety and food quality. The second objective is to complete a field validation study using 2,500 bacterial isolates derived from bovine mastitis samples and processed dairy foods. From this we will describe the diagnostic test characteristics of MALDI-ToF, as compared to 16S rDNA sequencing (gold standard) to identify 24 important dairy microorganisms critical to animal health, food safety and food quality. If the MALDI-ToF method proves to be accurate, then its adoption will strengthen the capacity, quality, and possibly the scope of diagnostic services performed by the VDL to support the MN dairy industry.