Metabolomics as a tool for authentication of edible insect-based food

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60461373%3A22330%2F24%3A43929211" target="_blank" >RIV/60461373:22330/24:43929211 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Metabolomics as a tool for authentication of edible insect-based food

Original language description

In the EU, edible insects are perceived as perspective novel food (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283), which can serve as an alternative to conventional animal protein. Currently, four species (Acheta domesticus, Tenebrio molitor, Locusta migratoria, and Alphitobius diaperinus) have been authorized in the EU for human consumption, and several others are in the process of authorization. To avoid potential fraudulent practices and to enable effective quality control, the availability of reliable methods for edible insect detection and identification of the species contained in the respective food product is essential. One of the promising approaches to addressing this challenge is the use of metabolomic analysis, which can potentially provide information about insect species as well as about breeding conditions such as used feed. In the presented study, UHPLC-HRMS/MS was employed to collect metabolomic data by analyzing various insect species. Using multivariate analysis (PCA and PLS-DA), authentic samples of species were separated based on their fingerprint, and possible markers of the studied species were found and tentatively identified based on the exact m/z, isotopic profile, and fragmentation pattern. Target screening of prospective markers was then performed on the insect-based products available on the market as an initial test of their applicability. The identified markers were, for example, dopamine-3-O-sulfate, a compound associated with cuticle sclerotization, which was detected as a marker of insects in the adult development stage. Flavonoid-O-glycosides were identified as markers of locusts. Altogether, 55 potential markers were selected to establish the HRMS/MS spectral library, which was then used in the subsequent target screening. The results of the target screening supported the suitability of markers for the authentication of real products on the market. The information obtained in this study will help to further develop methods for the authentication of insect-based foods, including the differentiation of individual insect species and their quantification.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10406 - Analytical chemistry

Project

<a href="/en/project/QK23020101" target="_blank" >QK23020101: The comprehensive laboratory strategy for identification of insect species intended for human consumption and the production of processed animal protein, authentication of insect-based foods.</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů