Application of the Metabolomics Approach in Food Authentication

Abstract

The authentication of food products is essential for food quality and safety. Authenticity assessments are important to ensure that the ingredients or contents of food products are legitimate and safe to consume. The metabolomics approach is an essential technique that can be utilized for authentication purposes. This study aimed to summarize food authentication through the metabolomics approach, to study the existing analytical methods, instruments, and statistical methods applied in food authentication, and to review some selected food commodities authenticated using metabolomics-based methods. Various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, etc., were used to obtain previous research works relevant to the objectives. The review highlights the role of the metabolomics approach in food authenticity. The approach is technically implemented to ensure consumer protection through the strict inspection and enforcement of food labeling. Studies have shown that the study of metabolomics can ultimately detect adulterant(s) or ingredients that are added deliberately, thus compromising the authenticity or quality of food products. Overall, this review will provide information on the usefulness of metabolomics and the techniques associated with it in successful food authentication processes, which is currently a gap in research that can be further explored and improved.

Stepwise Approach for Tracing the Geographical Origins of the Manila Clam Ruditapes philippinarum Using Dual-Element Isotopes and Carbon Isotopes of Fatty Acids

“…These nitrogen isotope ratios were in the range of those from previous studies conducted in the Jeonnam regions (Hwayang, Dolsan, and Jinahae) [19]. The differences observed the in Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam regions suggested that the river discharge causing the inflow of different DIN concentrations by season might have produced the 15 N-enriched isotopic signature in clams [47].…”

“…The increasing demand for traceability has led to various studies that have presented scientific evidence for some techniques as well as for national policies [4,7]. For agricultural products, dairy products, and processed foods, such as oil and wine, reliable results have been reported for several approaches using stable isotopes, DNA, metabolomics, and microbiological information [14,15]. For example, stable isotope analysis (SIA) is an effective method for determining environmental information, habitat, and ecosystem-based diets [16,17].…”

“…For example, stable isotope analysis (SIA) is an effective method for determining environmental information, habitat, and ecosystem-based diets [16,17]. As a powerful method for providing information on sources, processes, and fluxes with ratios (e.g., 13 C/ 12 C, 15 N/ 14 N), SIA has been applied in diverse research fields, including those of ecology and environmental sciences. The use of stable isotopic values (C and N) in organisms can reveal the energy sources (organic sources) and their movement through the food web based on kinetic reactions (e.g., fractionation factor) [18,19].…”

The Metabolomics Approaches Based on LC-MS/MS for Analysis of Non-Halal Meats in Food Products: A Review

“…Metabolomics has been developed and applied in many research areas and is becoming the most active field of investigation among omics techniques because metabolomics could be used to represent phenotype. In recent years, the utilization of metabolomics in food science, and specifically in food authentication, has gradually increased to address some issues related to food adulterations, food origins, and food contamination [15].…”

Identification of sunflower, rapeseed, flaxseed and sesame seed oil metabolomic markers as a potential tool for oil authentication and detecting adulterations

“…Proper plant development depends on their presence and concentration. Metabolomics enabled the systematic study of metabolites and their interactions [ 15 ]. Metabolomics studies were successfully applied in pharmaceutical, biomedical, agricultural and nutritional sciences, including drug discovery, disease diagnosis and plant phenomena [ 16 ].…”