Tracking Bacterial Spoilage in Cosmetics by a New Bioanalytical Approach: API-SPME-GC-MS to Monitor MVOCs

Abstract

The main goal of this work was the use of the powerful solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) technique to unequivocally identify microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) derived from the enzymatic activity produced during metabolic processes using analytical profile index (API) biochemical tests. Three bacteria were selected for this study: Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They were inoculated and incubated to both API components and real cosmetics, as well as to a mixture of them. Specific MVOCs were successfully identified as biomarkers for each one of the studied microorganisms: Indole and 2-nitrophenol as Escherichia coli markers, 2-undecanone and phenylethyl alcohol as Proteus mirabilis-specific markers, and 1-undecene and 2′-aminoacetophenone as Pseudomonas aeruginosa ones. In addition, a high number of MVOCs were identified as general markers of bacterial presence. The results revealed that the MVOCs’ formation is highly subtract dependent. Therefore, the ultimate and most challenging objective is to establish a relationship between the identified MVOCs and the original compound present in the substrate. This work establishes the design and development of this original approach, and its practical application to the control of microbial contamination in real cosmetic samples.

Meta-Analysis and Analytical Methods in Cosmetics Formulation: A Review

“…Beyond nail products, the use of API-SPME-GC-MS for the identification of microbial presence in cosmetics through microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) has recently been reported. These MVOCs, derived from enzymatic activity produced during metabolic processes, serve as biomarkers for the identification of studied bacteria, such as the following: Indole and 2-nitrophenol for Escherichia coli, 2-undecanone and phenylethyl alcohol for Proteus mirabilis, 1-undecene and 2 -aminoacetophenone for Pseudomonas aeruginosa., and at least three other MVOCs as general indicators of bacterial presence [71]. This analysis concluded that the use of SPME-GC-MS is a fast, robust, and highly valuable tool that complements API biochemical tests in the assessment of microbial contamination in cosmetics [71].…”

Recent Advances in Sample Preparation for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Analysis

“…It is well known that bacteria produce microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), which are formed during bacterial metabolic processes. This way, SPME employing commercial PDMS/DVB/CAR fibres has been employed to perform an in situ extraction and preconcentration of the MVOCs in a single step [ 133 , 134 ]. Afterwards, GC-MS has been employed as determination technique to unequivocally identify the MVOCs derived from the enzymatic activity, allowing the identification of several of them as specific markers for each one of the studied bacteria, as well as others as general indicators of bacteria presence.…”

Breaking the Mold: Towards Rapid and Cost-Effective Microbial Contamination Detection in Paints and Cosmetics Using ATP-Bioluminescence

“…In this context, direct epifluorescence filter techniques (DEFT) and bioluminescence ATP, next to modern molecular approaches using genomic and proteomic information, are increasingly being advocated as promising alternatives. The latter comprises polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), high-throughput next-generation DNA sequencing, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) or determination of biomarker volatile organic compounds (MVOC) by solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [5][6][7][8][9]. Matching with cultureindependent methods, we succeeded in employing qPCR and most-probable number techniques for detecting paint-spoiling bacteria in general and sulfate-reducing bacteria in particular in a previous investigation [10].…”