Mass spectrometry determination of potential species-specific peptide markers in commercial seasoning cubes

Abstract

In recent years, issues related to food product authenticity have been alarming, particularly in meat-based products. Proteomic techniques in food authentication and their applications in determining quality and safety issues of ingredients have been progressively developed by researchers. The complexity of matrices in commercial seasoning cubes is one of the main concerns in developing a robust authentication method. Hence, the present study focuses on the development of a protein extraction method for commercial seasoning cubes and to determine potential species-specific peptide markers in commercial seasoning cubes. The efficacy of solvent extraction was determined using Bradford assays, while the electrophoretic profiles of commercial seasoning cubes were visualized via Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The determination of potential species-specific peptide markers in commercial seasoning cubes was carried out via Liquid Chromatography (LC)-Orbitrap Fusion-Mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis (Thermo Fisher Scientific). In this study, the urea-thiourea solvent was ideal in extracting protein from commercial seasoning cubes as it produces a homogenous solution upon mixing, suggesting the diffusibility of solutes that is essential for continuing analysis. Moreover, a bovine-specific peptide marker ‘VGGHAAEYGAEALER’ and two porcine-specific peptide markers; ‘VGGQAGAHGAEALER’ and ‘EAVLGLWGK’ were discovered. The methodology developed in this study was successful in identifying species-specific peptide markers in seasoning cubes and can be used as a reference for validating the authenticity of food products, especially commercial seasonings.