Visualization-Based Rapid Screening and Quantitative Analysis of Target Peptides for Meat Authentication.

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Increasing demand for meat products raises concerns about authenticity and safety.
• Fraudulent substitution of cheaper meats with inaccurate labeling is a significant issue.
• Accurate quantification of meat species is crucial for consumer protection and regulatory compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid screening and validation strategy for peptides using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).
• To establish reliable biomarkers for accurate pork quantification in meat products.
• To enhance the efficiency and robustness of meat authenticity verification.

Main Methods:

• Integration of hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) with parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) for peptide validation.
• Utilizing high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for quantitative analysis.
• Application of multivariate statistical analysis for data interpretation.

Main Results:

• Five species-specific peptides were validated as reliable biomarkers for pork quantification.
• Accurate quantification achieved in simulated meat products with recoveries of 78-128% and relative standard deviation (RSD) < 12%.
• The methodology successfully excluded 80% of non-quantitative peptides, improving screening efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The developed HRMS-based methodology offers a robust solution for rapid meat authenticity verification.
• Validated peptides serve as effective biomarkers for precise pork quantification.
• This approach significantly enhances food safety by combating fraudulent meat labeling.