A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the identification of marker peptides of aquatic product allergens and quantitative detection of multiple allergens in meat products and seasonings was developed. The samples were prepared by protein extraction, protein purification, and trypsin hydrolysis. The proteins and peptides were identified using ProteinPilot by the data analysis of the ion spectrum of polypeptide fragments using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/Exactive-HRMS). The identification of 30 species-specific marker peptides in Penaeus vannamei, Eriocheir, Scylla serrata, Thunnus thynnus, and Atlantic salmon by comparison of the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) with the UniProt database was achieved. The verification and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) quantitative studies of these marker peptides were performed using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS) system. The proposed method showed a good linear relationship in the range of 5-250 mg/kg. The limits of quantitation and observed recoveries were in the range of 2-3.5 mg/kg and 88.7%-110.2%, respectively. This method presents various advantages such as good repeatability and high throughput, suitability for rapid screening, and quantitative analysis of seven aquatic allergens in meat products and seasonings.
Keywords: aquatic product allergen; liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); marker peptides; meat products; seasoning.