Screening and identification of edible insect species in commercial foods by LC-timsTOF MS

Abstract

Food authentication presents an ongoing challenge for analytical scientists, particularly with the growing incorporation of novel protein sources such as edible insects. In this study, three insect species currently 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 (LC-timsTOF MS). Characteristic amino acid sequences were identified 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, with the highest numbers observed for Acheta domesticus (684 characteristic and 651 specific markers). The developed 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 proposed method appears promising as a rapid, accurate, and reliable screening tool for the authentication of edible insect species in food matrices, providing valuable support for food safety, traceability, and regulatory compliance.