According to the CPLL proteome sheriffs, not all aperitifs are created equal!

Area of Science:

• Food science
• Analytical chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Commercial beverages like "Amaro Branzi" often have secret ingredients.
• Verifying the authenticity and natural origin of such products is crucial for consumer protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the genuineness of "Amaro Branzi" by analyzing its proteome.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of Combinatorial Peptide Ligand Libraries (CPLLs) in identifying trace proteins in complex food matrices.

Main Methods:

• Proteome analysis of "Amaro Branzi" using CPLLs at pH 2.2 and 4.8.
• Mass spectrometry was employed to identify proteins captured by CPLLs after elution.
• Comparative proteomic analysis of the amaro against extracts of known ingredients: Angelica officinalis, Gentiana lutea, and orange peel.

Main Results:

• The proteome analysis confirmed the presence of proteins from honey, orange peel, G. lutea, and A. officinalis.
• A total of 93 unique gene products were identified, verifying the product's claimed ingredients.
• CPLLs successfully identified trace proteins, enhancing their signal by 3-4 orders of magnitude.

Conclusions:

• The genuineness of "Amaro Branzi" was fully confirmed through proteomic analysis.
• CPLL methodology is a powerful tool for detecting trace components and ensuring the authenticity of commercial beverages.
• This approach can help protect consumers from adulterated products.