Development of a Simultaneous Analysis Method for Allergens in Food Using a Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

User Benefits

- Enables simultaneous analysis of seven specific ingredients (wheat, buckwheat, eggs, milk, peanuts, crustaceans (shrimp and crab)) and soy allergen, which is considered equivalent to specific ingredients. - Using this analytical method, it is possible to perform simultaneous analysis of food allergens in processed foods.

Introduction

Food allergies are known to be caused by excessive immune responses to specific proteins (allergens) in food and have become a pressing issue for public health and the food industry. To prevent health hazards caused by food allergies, strict regulations regarding food labeling have been enacted in many countries. In Japan, considering the extent and frequency of past health damages, labeling is mandatory for eight specified ingredients (wheat, buckwheat, eggs, milk, peanuts, shrimp, crab, and walnuts) in packaged processed foods, while labeling is recommended for 20 other ingredients that are considered equivalent to specific ingredients. Currently, ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) are widely used as detection methods, allowing for the detection of allergenic food ingredients through relatively simple operations. However, ELISA is known to carry the risk of false positives due to cross-reactivity with similar substances. Furthermore, simultaneous analysis using ELISA is limited, and when testing a wide range of food ingredients, it is necessary to conduct measurements in multiple steps using different measurement kits. Moreover, since PCR detects DNA rather than proteins, it is difficult to distinguish between milk and beef, and it is also challenging to detect egg whites, which do not contain DNA. Against this background, measurement methods for food allergens using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry are gaining attention due to their high selectivity and sensitivity, as well as the potential for simultaneous analysis of multiple allergens. This Application News introduces a method for the simultaneous analysis of seven specific ingredients (wheat, buckwheat, eggs, milk, peanuts, crustaceans (shrimp and crab)) and soy allergen, which is considered equivalent to specific ingredients, in processed foods using the Nexera X3 ultra-fast liquid chromatograph and the LCMS-8060NX triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

March 4, 2025 GMT