In this study (open access), three insect species approved for human consumption in the European Union (Acheta domesticus, Locusta migratoria, Tenebrio molitor), along with six additional species with potential for legitimate or fraudulent use in the food industry (Blaptica dubia, Gryllus assimilis, Hermetia illucens, Schistocerca gregaria, Schelfordella tartara, Zophobas morio), were analysed using liquid chromatography – trapped ion mobility spectrometry – time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Reference samples were obtained directly from breeders and were cooked.
The authors identified characteristic amino acid sequences for each species and genus, enabling taxonomic differentiation. Depending on the insect species, 30–684 characteristic markers and 30–651 species-specific markers were identified.
As a proof of concept, the marker panel was subsequently applied to the screening of 60 commercial insect-based food products to verify their declared species composition. Insect species were successfully identified in all analysed products, including samples containing as little as 7% (w/w) of declared insect ingredient.
The authors conclude that the proposed method is promising as a rapid, accurate, and reliable screening tool for the authentication of edible insect species in food matrices.
Photo by Srihari Reddy Arumalla on Unsplash
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