Optimisation of a simple and reliable label-free methodology for the relative quantitation of raw pork meat proteins

Recent advances in proteomics have become an indispensable tool for a fast, precise and sensitive analysis of proteins in complex biological samples at both, qualitative and quantitative level. In this study, a label-free quantitative proteomic methodology has been optimised for the relative quantitation of proteins extracted from raw pork meat. So, after the separation of proteins by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and trypsin digestion, their identification and quantitation have been done using nanoliquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole/time-of-flight (Q/ToF) mass spectrometer. Relative quantitation has been based on the measurement of mass spectral peak intensities, which have been described that are correlated with protein abundances. The results obtained regarding linearity, robustness, repeatability and accuracy show that this procedure could be used as a fast, simple, and reliable method to quantify changes in protein abundance in meat samples.The research leading to these results received funding from the European Union 7th Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement 312090 (BACCHUS). This publication reflects only the author views and the Community is not liable for any use made of the information contained therein. JAEDOC-CSIC postdoctoral contract to L.M. is also acknowledged. FPI Scholarship BES-2011-046096 and grant AGL2010-16305 from MINECO (Spain) and FEDER funds are also acknowledged.Peer reviewe