Mass spectrometric approach for the analysis of food proteins

In the study of food proteins, the need for accurate protein structural analysis has been acknowledged because of the fact that nucleotide sequencing alone is of limited analytical value if not combined with relevant information regarding the specific protein expressed and the occurrence of phosphorylation, glycosylation and disulphide bridges, and with the modification induced by the technological treatment. Mass spectrometry, whether used alone or to complement the traditional molecular-based techniques has become fundamental to the structural analysis of proteins. It is, moreover, virtually irreplaceable in determining post-translational modifications as conventional methods cannot deliver reliable data. What lies at the root of this methodological breakthrough is the combination of high-resolution separation techniques such as two-dimensional electrophoresis or capillary reverse- phase high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric analysis, what is termed "proteomic" analysis. Thus, it appears appropriate to state that the new mass spectrometric techniques have been established as a valuable and efficient tool for protein and peptide analysis in complex mixtures, like those from food matrices, enabling us therefore to provide accurate information on molecular weight and also to put forth a structural assessment at a low-picomole level of material. Thus, a series of alternative approaches have been developed based on advanced mass spectrometric analysis in conjunction with classic protein chemistry in order to provide an in-depth view of food protein structure. This review outlines several of these novel methodologies as they apply to structural characterization of food products.