Pre-selection of potential molecular markers for the geographic origin of dried beef by HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy

The complexity of meat composition and the requirement of high analytical rates to prevent frauds and, in general, to assess food quality are stimuli to find analytical methods able to detect appropriate indicators of a given quality. We present here an evaluation of 1D 1H HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy for the selection of potential molecular markers of one specific quality, geographic origin. Dried beef samples of certified origin were tested, and preliminary results on a limited sample set confirmed the good aptitude of this method for rapid food analysis, demonstrated earlier on dairy products. Fat content as well as specific metabolites, probably linked to feeding system, are shown to be good candidates for markers of origin. These results are in agreement with recent studies on the relative impact of genetic and dietary conditions on the metabolic profile of animal specimens. 1H HR-MAS is thus an interesting tool for pre-screening potential markers, that can complement standard chemical and biochemical analysis.