TY - JOUR
T1 - DNA-based authentication for insect-based feedstuffs
T2 - The case study of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens
AU - Filipa-Silva, Andreia
AU - Martins, Thaise
AU - Mota, Maria J.
AU - Almeida, André
AU - Murta, Daniel
AU - Valente, Luísa M.P.
AU - Gomes, Sónia
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025
PY - 2025/4
Y1 - 2025/4
N2 - The rising demand for new protein sources increases the risk of fraud, particularly through misleading labelling, that can pose biosecurity hazards, such as allergic reactions in sensitised individuals. Ensuring authenticity of insect-based feed and food items is a top priority within the European Union. Addressing this need, this study developed two qPCR assays for insect species-specific detection/quantification in commercial meals, hydrolysates, and various animal feed products. These methods differentiated and quantified Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) and Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), enabling the authentication of various commercial feed and food matrices. qPCR targeting cytochrome b gene of T. molitor and NADH dehydrogenase gene of H. illucens detected DNA concentrations as low as 2 pg/µL for T. molitor and 0.2 pg/µL for H. illucens, identifying these insects in mixtures down to 0.24 % of inclusion in aquaculture feed. Additionally, both qPCR assays share the same thermal cycling conditions, enabling to detect T. molitor and H. illucens in a single run. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that these methods have strong analytical performance, confirming their suitability across complex matrices in food and feed applications. The qPCR offers a rapid, cost-effective tool for verifying EFSA-authorized insects in EU supply chains, from production to consumption.
AB - The rising demand for new protein sources increases the risk of fraud, particularly through misleading labelling, that can pose biosecurity hazards, such as allergic reactions in sensitised individuals. Ensuring authenticity of insect-based feed and food items is a top priority within the European Union. Addressing this need, this study developed two qPCR assays for insect species-specific detection/quantification in commercial meals, hydrolysates, and various animal feed products. These methods differentiated and quantified Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) and Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), enabling the authentication of various commercial feed and food matrices. qPCR targeting cytochrome b gene of T. molitor and NADH dehydrogenase gene of H. illucens detected DNA concentrations as low as 2 pg/µL for T. molitor and 0.2 pg/µL for H. illucens, identifying these insects in mixtures down to 0.24 % of inclusion in aquaculture feed. Additionally, both qPCR assays share the same thermal cycling conditions, enabling to detect T. molitor and H. illucens in a single run. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that these methods have strong analytical performance, confirming their suitability across complex matrices in food and feed applications. The qPCR offers a rapid, cost-effective tool for verifying EFSA-authorized insects in EU supply chains, from production to consumption.
KW - Food Safety
KW - Hermetia illucens
KW - Insect Authentication
KW - Novel Protein Sources
KW - Real-time PCR
KW - Species Identification
KW - Tenebrio molitor
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85214350222&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jfca.2024.107175
DO - 10.1016/j.jfca.2024.107175
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85214350222
SN - 0889-1575
VL - 140
JO - Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
JF - Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
M1 - 107175
ER -