Determination of wheat quality by mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis

Multivariate analysis has been applied as support to proteome analysis in order to implement an easier and faster way of data handling based on separation by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The characterisation phase in proteome analysis by means of simple visual inspection is a demanding process and also insecure because subjectivity is the controlling element. Multivariate analysis offers, to a considerable extent, objectivity and must therefore be regarded as a neutral way to evaluate results obtained by proteome analysis. Proteome analysis of storage proteins from the wheat gluten complex based on two-dimensional electrophoresis and analysis of the N-terminal sequence has revealed a protein homologous to gamma-gliadins, tentatively associated with quality and within the molecular weight range 27-35 kDa. Further examinations of gliadin data based on mass spectrometry revealed that quality among wheat varieties could be determined by means of principal component analysis. Further examinations by interval partial least squares made it possible to encircle an overall optimal molecular weight interval from 31.5 to 33.7 kDa. The use of multivariate analysis on data from mass spectrometry has thus shown to be a promising technique to minimize the number of two-dimensional gels within the field of proteome analysis. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.