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Proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry: online and rapid determination of volatile organic compounds of microbial origin

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Abstract

Analytical tools for the identification and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by microbial cultures have countless applications in an industrial and research context which are still not fully exploited. The various techniques for VOC analysis generally arise from the application of different scientific and technological philosophies, favoring either sample throughput or chemical information. Proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) represents a valid compromise between the two aforementioned approaches, providing rapid and direct measurements along with highly informative analytical output. The present paper reviews the main applications of PTR-MS in the microbiological field, comprising food, environmental, and medical applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Quality and Nutrition, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), via E. Mach 1, 38010, San Michele all’Adige, TN, Italy

    Andrea Romano & Franco Biasioli

  2. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Foggia, via Napoli 25, 71122, Foggia, Italy

    Vittorio Capozzi & Giuseppe Spano

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  1. Andrea Romano
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  2. Vittorio Capozzi
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  3. Giuseppe Spano
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  4. Franco Biasioli
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Correspondence to Giuseppe Spano.

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Romano, A., Capozzi, V., Spano, G. et al. Proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry: online and rapid determination of volatile organic compounds of microbial origin. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 99, 3787–3795 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-6528-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-6528-y

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