Identification of Proteins and Peptide Biomarkers for Detecting Banned Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) in Meat and Bone Meal by Mass Spectrometry
1. Identification of proteins and peptide biomarkers for detecting banned Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) in meat and bone meal by mass spectrometry
Meat and bone meals (MBM) have been widely used in animal feed being a convenient source for providing energy, protein, minerals, fats... However, the emergence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly called "mad cow disease", led to a set of legislative measures concerning the use of these MBM to limit the spread of BSE. Indeed, it has been found that this disease was most likely transmitted due to the use of MBM contaminated with a prion protein in cattle feed. Following a decrease in the number of cases of infected animals thanks to these bans, the European Commission is considering the possibility of relaxing the legislation.
Several methods of detection and identification of Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) exist to date: optical microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (official methods), the near infrared methods and immunological methods. However, these methods have limitations and the progressive release of the feed ban requires the development of new analytical methods able to determine the exact origin of PAPs.
This is why a peptidomic approach has been developed in order to define the taxonomic and tissue origin of PAPs.