Development, optimisation and validation of a non-targeted proteomics method for meat species identification
Abstract:
Defra project FA0166 (2019) developed and validated a non-targeted proteomics method for identifying meat species in food products, including highly processed The method uses protein extraction, enzymatic digestion, and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to detect species-specific peptide markers that uniquely identify different animal species. The project aimed to optimise sample preparation, analytical workflows, and data interpretation to create a robust multi-species proteomic screening tool suitable for food authenticity testing. The method was evaluated across a range of meat matrices, including raw and processed products. Validation assessed performance characteristics such as sensitivity, reproducibility, and robustness. Results showed that the proteomics approach could reliably identify multiple meat species in complex food matrices and detect species substitution at low levels (c. 1% w/w), consistent with UK enforcement thresholds for adulteration.
