Non-targeted screening of maple syrup based on LC-HRMS and FTIR: a proof-of-concept

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The company partner in this Engage Grant, Citadelle, is Quebec's largest cooperative of sugar maple growers and maple syrup producers active in maple syrup and maple product manufacturing, processing, and marketing. Maple syrup is produced by heat evaporation of sap collected from maple trees (Acer saccharum). While maple syrup is globally famous nowadays, its chemical composition has not been comprehensively described. Currently, defects in its quality may be identified through expert panel tasting or using indirect spectroscopy tools. To date though, no study has comprehensively identified the molecules responsible for quality defects in maple syrup. Citadelle has decided to take a proactive step with researchers to identify marker molecules associated with maple syrup taste defects and adulteration. This research would allow them to design future tools to monitor the quality of maple products. This first task, i.e. the detection and identification of "unknown" off-flavor chemicals, rely on a non-routine approach called non-targeted analysis. This Engage Grant application seeks to establish a collaboration between Citadelle and the applicant, Dr Bayen at McGill University. The objectives of this project are: (i) develop a method using HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS to establish the chemical profile (minor components) of maple syrup, (ii) establish the chemical profiles of a range of maple syrup samples with or without taste defects, or spiked with different types of adulterants, and identify potential markers to trace taste defects or adulteration, and (iii) test the capacity of ATR-FTIR to target specific molecules in maple syrup. Successful completion of the proof-of-concept project described in this application will lay the foundation for further collaboration between the applicant and Citadelle on the identification of markers for other defects and on the development of a prototype for quality monitoring for maple syrup.