Rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Shigella sonnei in foods by solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract

A novel approach for rapid identification of three foodborne pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Shigella sonnei in foods by solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was established. After cultivation 24, 18 and 20 h for Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Shigella sonnei, respectively, the microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) were extracted with a SPME device equipped with divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) coated fibers. The DB-1701P column was applied for separation of MVOCs. A total of 17, 13 and 14 volatile organic compounds were identified as characteristic MVOCs of Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Shigella sonnei, respectively. Similarity of the MVOC chromatographic fingerprints for the bacteria were calculated and compared, and the results showed that the established method is stable, reproducible, accurate and has the potential to identify the three bacteria in food samples.

Keywords: Chromatographic fingerprint; Food; Foodborne pathogen; Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; Microbial volatile organic compounds; Similarity match; Solid phase microextraction.