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The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is commonly dysregulated in cancer. The goal of this thesis project was to assess the hypothesis of a strong correlation between PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activity and the response to targeted therapies, by using a protein quantitation technique called immuno-matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (iMALDI). The use of iMALDI as a clinical tool was demonstrated by automating an established iMALDI assay for quantifying plasma renin activity. The results from the automated method gave high correlation coefficients of ≥0.98 with a clinical LC-MS/MS method and could be performed significantly faster than with manual sample preparation. The 7.5-fold faster analysis compared to LC-MS/MS, reduction in human error, and higher throughput, demonstrated the suitability of this assay for clinical use. The automated iMALDI platform was then adapted for use with cancer cell lines and tissue analysis, targeting the kinases AKT1 and AKT2 as surrogate proteins for signaling pathway activity. Using minute amounts (10 µg/capture), AKT1 and AKT2 expression and phosphorylation stoichiometry (PS) were successfully quantified via their C-terminal tryptic peptides, which encompassed key phosphorylation sites. After assay optimization, the assays were analytically validated for linear range, accuracy, and interferences. In addition, PS cut-off values based on measurement errors were established for confident PS quantitation. The functionality of the assay was demonstrated with cell lines, and flash-frozen and FFPE tissue lysates, with, on average, lower AKT1/AKT2 measurements obtained from FFPE samples. The developed assays were sensitive and precise enough to detect differences between matched normal and adjacent tumor tissues. To answer the hypothesis, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse-model tumors treated with Herceptin, Everolimus, a combination of both (E+H), or with no treatment, were assessed for molecular patterns linked to tumor response. One mouse from the E+H group showed a partial response, with elevated total and phosphorylated AKT1/AKT2. Unfortunately, overlapping values between treatment groups were obtained in this study, and the large within-group spread and the low number of biological replicates made it difficult to confirm a definite correlation between PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activity and response to treatment. A follow-up study with additional protein targets, a larger number of samples, and serial biopsies will be required to determine if there is, in fact, a correlation between PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activity and response to treatment. / Graduate / 2019-10-05

Submitted by TARCISIO TORRE LOURENÇO null (tarcisiolourenco16@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-12-09T13:14:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Tarcísio com a ficha.pdf: 10339060 bytes, checksum: 23f48d3539cc446a8efd713c0a0b082d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-12-13T10:58:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lourenco_tt_me_bot.pdf: 10339060 bytes, checksum: 23f48d3539cc446a8efd713c0a0b082d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-13T10:58:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lourenco_tt_me_bot.pdf: 10339060 bytes, checksum: 23f48d3539cc446a8efd713c0a0b082d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-30 / O ciclo estral da vaca é composto por 2-3 ondas de crescimento folicular, no qual vários folículos são recrutados e iniciam um novo crescimento. Durante o período denominado desvio folicular, um folículo se torna dominante e os outros entram em atresia. Este processo envolve um mecanismo ainda não completamente compreendido, incluindo proteínas específico, como já estabelecido pela expressão gênica. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar as proteínas do fluído folicular a fim de identificar macromoléculas relacionadas ao desenvolvimento dos folículos de vacas zebuínas nã-gestantes. Foram colhidos os ovários de 25 vacas mestiças não-gestantes em um abatedouro. A presença do corpo lúteo foi anotada para cada ovário. O líquido folicular foi colhido utilizando-se a imersão do ovário em meio líquido e ultrassonografia. De acordo com a mensuração do diâmetro folicular, foram formados 3grupos, folículos pequenos (≤6,5mm, n=25), médios (>6,5mm a ≤9mm, n=9) e grandes (>9,0mm, n=11). Após 2 centrifugações (600xg/10 minutos e 15.000xg/30 minutos, 4ºC) o sobrenadante foi separado e utilizado para determinação da concentração de proteína total (método de Bradford). A eletroforese foi conduzida sob condições desnaturantes e redutoras, em gel de separação de poliacrilamidaà 12%. A concentração de progesterona e estradiol do líquido folicular foi determinada a fim de identificar os folículos saudáveis. As proteínas diferenciais identificadas pela eletroforese foram submetidas à espectrometria de massas e a ontologia gênica foi investigada nos bancos de dados disponíveis. Foram encontradas 45 bandas proteicas em 45 amostras de líquido folicular. A média da concentração ± desvio padrão da progesterona foi de 129,91 ± 186,43, considerando todos os folículos. Os resultados mostram que houve uma expressão diferenciada de proteínas nas diferentes categorias de folículos. / The estrous cycle of the cow consists of 2-3 follicular waves, in which several follicles are recruited and initiate growth. During the period called follicular deviation, one follicle becomes dominant and the other come into atresia.This process involves mechanisms not yet fully understood, including specific proteins as already determined by gene expression. As a result, the objective of this study was to characterize the proteins of the follicular fluid to identify macromolecules related to the development of follicles from Zebu cow. The ovaries of nonpregnant cows 25 were harvested. The presence of luteum body was noted for each ovary. Follicular fluid was collected using ultrasound. According to the measurement of follicular diameter was 3 separate groups, small follicles (≤6,5mm, n = 28), medium (> 6.5mm to ≤9mm, n = 7) and large (> 9,0mm, n = 11). After 2 centrifugations (600xg / 10 minutes, 15.000xg / 30 minutes, 4 ° C) the supernatant was separated and used for determination of total protein concentration (Bradford method). Electrophoresis was conducted under denaturing and reducing conditions on polyacrylamide separating gel at 12%. The concentration of progesterone and follicular fluid estradiol was determined to identify healthy follicles. The differential proteins identified by electrophoresis will be submitted for MALDI TOF MS / MS approach and gene ontology will be investigated in the databases available. They found 45 protein bands in electrophoresis in 45 follicular fluid samples. The mean ± standard deviation of progesterone concentration was 129.91 ± 186.43 considering all follicles. The results show that there was a differential expression of proteins in different categories of follicles.

La spectrométrie de masse MALDI est une technique devenue incontournable pour l’analyse des biomolécules et largement employée dans de nombreuses applications. Bien que les performances de cette source soient notoires, celles-ci restent encore limitées en particulier en termes de sensibilité ou encore de résolution spatiale pour des applications telles que l’imagerie MALDI MS. En effet, les rendements de production d’ions sont très faibles en MALDI et chutent encore lorsque la résolution spatiale est augmentée (diminution de l’aire irradiée). Ainsi, les objectifs de ces travaux de thèse ont été de développer et d’étudier deux systèmes permettant d’augmenter la sensibilité. La première partie de ces travaux a donc portée sur la réalisation d’un système permettant la désolvatation des agrégats formés dans le processus MALDI via l’utilisation d’un second faisceau laser interceptant la plume en expansion. Par utilisation d’un laser pulsé émettant à 1064 nm il a été ainsi possible de démontrer une augmentation d’un facteur 2 à 3 de l’intensité des signaux d’analyte. Dans une seconde partie, un système de masques de silicium permettant de réduire les dimensions de la zone irradiée (sans agir sur la focalisation du faisceau laser) a été développé. Les études réalisées pour différentes géométries de ces masques ont permis de démontrer d’une part l’efficacité de ces systèmes pour réduire l’aire de la zone irradiée en coupant le faisceau laser incident tout en maintenant l’intensité des signaux, et d’autre part que certaines géométries particulières permettaient d’obtenir un effet d’augmentation de la sensibilité et de la résolution spectrale. / MALDI Mass Spectrometry is an essential tool for biomolecules analysis and is largely employed in various applications. Albeit performances of this ion source are well known, there are still clear limitations in terms of sensitivity and spatial resolution for applications such as MALDI MS Imaging. Indeed, ion production yields are very low in MALDI and, moreover drop when spatial resolution is increased (decrease of irradiated area). Thus, objectives of this work were to develop and study two systems for improving sensitivity. First part of this work was dedicated to setup a system allowing desolvation of material clusters formed in the MALDI process by using a second laser to intercept the expanding plume. By using a pulsed laser emitting at 1064 nm, it was possible to demonstrate an increase of signal intensity by 2 to 3 folds. In a second part, Silicon mask systems allowing reduction of irradiated area (without involving any focusing of the laser beam) was developed. Studies of various geometries of the mask showed their efficiency to reduce irradiated area by cutting part of the laser beam while maintaining signal intensity. Moreover, for certain geometries it was demonstrated that masks could lead to an increase in sensitivity and spectral resolution.

Orientador: Marcos Nogueira Eberlin / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T11:19:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marques_LygiadeAzevedo_M.pdf: 2432568 bytes, checksum: 7bf6003b0fa0df13e1ba0f91d7ebf00b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Neste trabalho aplicamos técnicas avançadas de espectrometria de massas, (MALDI-TOF e ESI-MS) na análise de micotoxinas em alimentos e na tipificação e verificação de fraudes em perfumes. Aplicamos a técnica MALDI-TOF em análises de micotoxinas, e esta mostrou excelente desempenho nas análises de aflatoxinas e ocratoxina e vantagem sobre a técnica de escolha atual, o método ELISA. Esta vantagem é principalmente maior especificidade através de maior exatidão em medidas de massas e, portanto, maior confiabilidade. O Planejamento de experimento foi uma ferramenta valiosa para obtenção das melhores condições e estudo dos parâmetros de interferência. O limite de detecção encontrado para a técnica foi da ordem de 25 pg para aflatoxinas e de 1 ng para ocratoxina, com perspectiva de melhoria através de aumento da massa amostral em estudos futuros para adaptação da metodologia de extração na matriz de interesse à técnica MALDI-TOF. A técnica ESI-MS foi utilizada para a tipificação e detecção de perfumes proporcionando, através da análise de componentes principais (PCA), a diferenciação com segurança entre perfumes originais, falsos e inspirados, utilizando como indicadores componentes polares não majoritários característicos de cada categoria avaliada. Este estudo abre caminho para que esta técnica seja utilizada na avaliação de perfumes que estão sob suspeita de falsificação com auxilio de uma biblioteca de "fingerprint" de perfumes por ESI-MS. O emprego da técnica de MALDI-TOF também é uma opção vantajosa para o monitoramento da qualidade de grãos quanto a presença de toxinas indesejáveis, bem como ameaças de bioterrorismo. / Abstract: In this work we applied advanced mass spectrometry techniques (MALDI-TOF and ESI-MS) to micotoxin analysis in food and for the typification and detection of counterfeit perfumes. MALDI-TOF was applied to micotoxin analysis, which showed excellent performance for the analysis of aflatoxins and ochratoxin with advantage over the current technique of choice, the ELISA method. This advantage is mainly its greater specifity due the exactness of the measurements, therefore with higher reliability. The surface analysis was a valuable tool to attain the best conditions and study the interference of several parameters. The detection limit found for the technique was 25 pg for aflatoxins and 1 ng for ochratoxins, with perspective of improvement through increase of the sample mass in future studies for adaptation of the methodology of extration in the matrix of interest for the MALDI-TOF technique. The ESI-MS technique was used for typification and detection of counterfeit perfumes, providing, through principal component analysis (PCA), the characterization of original, counterfeit and inspired perfumes, using as minoritarian polar compounds as diagnostic ions of each perfume category evaluated. We envisage that the method can be used to establish a ESI-MS fingerprinting library of perfumes for comparison with those from samples under investigation, and that such a library could be updated constantly by the addition of ESI-MS of new perfumes even before they are commercially released. MALDI-TOF technique is also an advantageous option for the monitoring of crop quality relating to the presence of undesirable toxins, as well as bioterrorism threats by micotoxin poisoning. / Mestrado / Quimica Analitica / Mestre em Química

Ce mémoire de thèse décrit des développements de méthodes MALDI-MS pour la caractérisation de polymères synthétiques, ainsi que les études plus fondamentales menées pour rationaliser des résultats inattendus et contribuant à une meilleure compréhension du processus d’ionisation MALDI. Synthétisés par polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée, les polymères étudiés ont des terminaisons fragiles qui ne survivent pas à l’étape d’ionisation. Une approche multidimensionnelle, combinant la spectrométrie de masse (MS et MS/MS haute résolution) et la spectrométrie de mobilité ionique, a permis de caractériser les nouveaux bouts de chaînes générés en source dans le cas du polystyrène. Dans le cas du poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), un protocole expérimental plus spécifique a dû être développé pour s’affranchir de la propension des unités monomériques à interagir avec la matrice. Ces fortes interactions se manifestent par la détection de complexes P4VP/matrice au sein desquels la nature des liaisons (covalentes vs non covalentes) change en fonction de la pression régnant dans la source MALDI. Dans une source opérant à une pression relativement élevée, ces interactions sont à l’origine de l’incorporation d’une molécule de matrice au bout des chaînes de P4VP. Ce cas de MALDI réactif a été rationalisé par un modèle basé sur un couplage radicalaire. Dans cette source d’ionisation, la forte densité de la plume MALDI serait également à l’origine de la production atypique d’espèces doublement chargées à partir de polymères synthétiques de faible taille (Mn < 5 kDa). Ces résultats suggèrent que la cationisation des polymères synthétiques en MALDI résulte de transferts de charges en phase gazeuse. / This thesis manuscript describes methodological developments in MALDI-MS to characterize synthetic polymers, as well as associated fundamental studies carried out to rationalize unexpected results, allowing new insights in the MALDI process. Studied samples were synthesized by controlled radical polymerization and contained fragile end-groups that do not survive the ionization step. A multidimensional approach, combining high resolution mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS) with ion mobility spectrometry, allowed a full characterization of in-source newly formed terminations in the case of polystyrene. For poly(4-vinylpyridine), a more specific experimental protocol was required to overcome the propensity of monomeric units to interact with matrix molecules. These strong interactions were revealed by P4VP/matrix complexes in which the type of bonds (covalent vs non covalent) changes with the MALDI source pressure. Using a source operated at quite high pressure, a reactive MALDI phenomenon was evidenced to generate a new P4VP species in which one matrix molecule was incorporated in the chain end. A model involving a radical coupling process was proposed to account for the formation of these covalent adducts. The high density of the MALDI plume in such "high pressure" source would also be responsible for the unexpected formation of doubly charged species for small synthetic polymers (Mn < 5 kDa). These results are consistent with charge transfers in the gas phase as the process for cation adduction of synthetic polymers in MALDI.

L'Homme est continuellement exposé à de nombreuses molécules chimiques, notamment les polluants environnementaux, qui peuvent cibler le foie et moduler par la suite les pathologies hépatiques. Le chlordécone appartient à la famille des polluants organiques persistants. Interdit définitivement depuis 1993, il est toujours présent dans l'environnement des régions où il a été utilisé. Ce pesticide, présente une grande affinité vis-à-vis du foie, où il s'accumule et interagit avec d'autres substances toxiques pour amplifier leur hépatotoxicité. Nous avons évalué l'impact du chlordécone sur l'évolution des hépatites aigues et chroniques chez la souris. Dans une première étude, nous avons développé des modèles murins de co-exposition au chlordécone et à des hépatites aiguës de différentes étiologies. Trois types d'hépatite ont été étudiés, une hépatite alcoolique induite par une consommation importante d'alcool, une hépatite auto-immune, induite par la Concanavaline A (Con A), et une hépatite virale fulminante induite par le virus de l'hépatite murine (MHV3). Nous avons montré, pour la première fois, que le chlordécone sensibilise les foies de souris soumises à la toxicité de l'alcool et amplifie l'hépatite auto-immune induite par la Con A. Dans notre modèle, le chlordécone n'a pas eu d'effet sur l'hépatite induite par le virus MHV3, en revanche, il a favorisé l'entrée de ce virus dans les cerveaux des souris entrainant ainsi une mort plus précoce. Dans une deuxième étude, nous avons développé un modèle murin de co-exposition chronique au chlordécone et à un agent hépatotoxique, le tétrachlorure de carbone (CCl4). Nous avons montré, dans ce modèle, que le chlordécone potentialise la fibrose hépatique dans les hépatites chroniques murines. En conclusion, nos études sur le modèle murin, montrent bien un effet potentialisateur du chlordécone sur certains types d'hépatites aigues ainsi que sur l'évolution de la fibrose hépatique au cours d'hépatites chroniques. Enfin, la localisation du chlordécone dans le foie a pour la première fois était étudiée par l'imagerie MALDI ce qui permettra une meilleure compréhension de sa distribution au sein du tissu ainsi qu'une identification de ses cellules cibles. / Humans are constantly exposed, in their daily life, to many chemical molecules, particularly environmental pollutants that can target the liver and subsequently modulate liver diseases. Chlordecone is a persistent organic pollutant that has been prohibited permanently since 1993, but still contaminating area where it was used. This pesticide has a high affinity to the liver where it can accumulate and amplify the noxious action of hepatotoxic agents. We investigated the impact of chlordecone on acute and chronic hepatitis. In the first study, we developed three different models of mouse acute hepatitis; an alcoholic hepatitis induced by a high intake of alcohol, an auto-immune hepatitis induced by Concanavalin A (Con A) and a fulminant viral hepatitis induced by the murine virus (MHV3). We have shown that chlordecone enhances the susceptibility of mice liver to alcohol toxicity and potentiates the auto-immune hepatitis induced by Con A. In our experimental model, chlordecone has not shown any effect on MHV3 induced hepatitis but it has promoted the MHV3 invasion of mice brain leading to an early death. In our second study, we developed a mouse model of chronic co-exposure to chlordecone and to a hepatotoxic agent, the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). We have shown that chlordecone potentiates liver fibrosis in mouse chronic hepatitis. To conclude, our studies have shown that chlordecone enhances hepatotoxicity in some mouse models of acute hepatitis and potentiates liver fibrosis in mouse models of chronic hepatitis. Finally, the localization of chlordecone in the liver, by MALDI imaging, will enable a better understanding of its distribution within the tissue and will be a way to identify its target cells.

Dans le cadre de la qualité environnementale des matériaux, il est essentiel d'apporter la preuve que les matériaux à base de ciments adjuvantés ne relarguent pas ou peu de matières organiques lors de leur contact avec l'eau constituant une solution lixiviante. Les additifs organiques, tels que les agents de mouture et les superplastifiants, constituent deux classes d'adjuvants organiques utilisés de manière systématique dans la fabrication ou la formulation des matériaux cimentaires, notamment quand ils sont en contact avec l'eau potable (conduites et châteaux d'eau). Pour évaluer le piégeage de ces composés organiques par une pâte de ciment CEM I, cinq montages de lixiviation dynamique CTG-LEACHCRETE ont été mis en place et adaptés pour l'étude de pâtes de ciment formulées avec des adjuvants organiques. La seconde partie de ce travail a pour objectif de mettre au point des techniques analytiques sensibles pour la détection de traces des constituants du superplastifiant et de l'agent de mouture directement dans les produits de la lixiviation de pâtes de ciment (les lixiviats) grâce aux techniques de spectrométrie de masse MALDI-TOF et Py-THM-MS. Enfin, l'application du protocole global de "lixiviation dynamique couplée à la spectrométrie de masse" nous permet d'apprécier la présence des composés organiques suite à des essais de lixiviation de pâtes de ciment formulées avec de l'agent de mouture et du superplastifiant. Cette démarche nous a permis d'obtenir de nombreux résultats donnant des informations sur les mécanismes de piégeage des différents additifs organiques par une pâte de ciment / Evidence that materials used by the industry are not damageable for the environment has become a major issue. In cement industry, organic admixtures such as grinding aids or superplasticizers ar widely used. In particular, they constitute cementitious materials in concrete contacting water like in water pipes and water tower. It is therefore essential to test whether these organic coumpounds are enventually dissolved into water by leaching. In this aim, five different dynamic leaching tests were developed and applied to a CEM I cement paste formulated with organic admixtures. In paralell, highly sensitive analytical methods based on MALDI-TOF and Py-THM-MS mass spectrometry techniques were designed in order to detect traces of leached superplasticizers or grinding aids. The dynamic leaching tests coupled to mass spectrometry allowed us to detect the presence of organic compounds in the leachate, and to better understand the mechanisms involved in the trapping of additives into a cement paste

La découverte de nouveaux médicaments par le criblage biomoléculaire est au centre de la recherche pharmaceutique actuelle. La spectrométrie de masse, en tant que technique d’analyse fiable, reproductible, sensible, spécifique, compatible avec de nombreux types d’échantillons et permettant un débit d’analyse conséquent, trouve ainsi sa place dans les stratégies de recherche et développement de nouveaux médicaments. Le but de ce travail était de mettre en place et de valider une stratégie originale, impliquant la désorption/ionisation laser assistée par matrice couplée à la spectrométrie de masse (MALDI-MS) comme technique de détection, en vue du criblage de la liaison de composés à des cibles moléculaires applicable directement à des extraits de plantes. Le protocole que nous avons développé s’articule en trois étapes successives qui sont l’incubation des molécules à tester avec la cible moléculaire choisie (la tubuline ou la DHFR), l’élimination des composés non liés et enfin l’analyse par MALDI-TOFMS des composés liés. Notre démarche a fait l’objet d’une démarche de validation et les résultats pouvant être obtenus ont été discutés. Le débit pouvant être évalué à 60 échantillons en 1h50 à 3h30 soit de 18 à 32 échantillons à l’heure. Enfin, une démarche innovante nous a permis de prouver que notre approche pouvait être utile également en criblage secondaire. L’application de notre approche à des extraits bruts de plantes (Colchique d’Automne, Pervenche de Madagascar et Thé vert) à permis de mettre en évidence 20 molécules actives se liant à l’une ou l’autre des cibles moléculaires utilisées et d’évaluer l’affinité relative de l’une d’entre elles / Discovering new drugs by biomolecular screening is a central task of pharmaceutical research. Mass spectrometry, as a reliable, reproducible, sensitive and specific technique, compatible with a wide range of samples and offering an excellent throughput, shows its potential in different strategies of research and development. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a new strategy, involving matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) to screen the ability of different compounds, including plant extracts, to bind to two biological targets (tubulin and DHFR). The protocol is therefore divided into three main steps : an incubation of the compounds to be tested with target, an elimination of all unbound compounds and the MALDI-TOFMS detection of target-bound compounds. Our protocol was validated and the results that can be obtained were discussed. The throughput offered by this technique was evaluated as 60 samples in 1h50 to 3h30, or 18 to 32 samples per hour. Finally, we developed a new approach to perform a secondary screening of active compounds. The protocol was applied to screen crude plants extracts (colchicum autumnale, catharanthus roseus and green tea) and allowed to find 20 tubulin-binding or DHFR-binding molecules, and the relative affinity of one of these was also evaluated

Milk is an important nutritious component of our diet consumed by most humans on a daily basis. Microbiological spoilage affects its safe use and consumption, its organoleptic properties and is a major part of its quality control process. European Union legislation and the Hazard Analysis and the Critical Control Point (HACCP) system in the dairy industry are therefore in place to maintain both the safety and the quality of milk production in the dairy industry. A main limitation of currently used methods of milk spoilage detection in the dairy industry is the time-consuming and sometimes laborious turnover of results. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and high throughput (HT) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy metabolic fingerprinting techniques were investigated for their speed and accuracy in the enumeration of viable bacteria in fresh pasteurized cows' milk. Data analysis was performed using principal component-discriminant function analysis (PC-DFA) and partial least squares (PLS) multivariate statistical techniques. Accurate viable microbial loads were rapidly obtained after minimal sample preparation, especially when FTIR was combined with PLS, making it a promising technique for routine use by the dairy industry. FTIR and Raman spectroscopies in combination with multivariate techniques were also explored as rapid detection and enumeration techniques of S. aureus, a common milk pathogen, and Lactococcus lactis subsp cremoris, a common lactic acid bacterium (LAB) and potential antagonist of S. aureus, in ultra-heat treatment milk. In addition, the potential growth interaction between the two organisms was investigated. FTIR spectroscopy in combination with PLS and kernel PLS (KPLS) appeared to have the greatest potential with good discrimination and enumeration attributes for the two bacterial species even when in co-culture without previous separation. Furthermore, it was shown that the metabolic effect of L. cremoris predominates when in co-culture with S. aureus in milk but with minimal converse growth interaction between the two microorganisms and therefore potential implications in the manufacture of dairy products using LAB. The widespread and high consumption of milk make it a target for potential financial gain through adulteration with cheaper products reducing quality, breaking labeling and patent laws and potentially leading to dire health consequences. The time consuming and laborious nature of currently used analytical techniques in milk authentication enabled the study of FTIR spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) as rapid analytical techniques in quantification of milk adulteration, using binary and tertiary fresh whole cows', goats' and sheep's milk mixture samples. Chemometric data analysis was performed using PLS and KPLS multivariate analyses. Overall, results indicated that both techniques have excellent enumeration and detection attributes for use in milk adulteration with good prospects for potential use in the dairy industry.