Monitoring Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a Potential Novel Allergenic Food: Effect of Food Processing and Matrix

The consumption of insects has increased in western countries, raising concerns about their potential to induce food allergic reactions in sensitized/allergic individuals. This work intended to develop a real-time PCR approach for the detection/quantification of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a potential allergenic food in complex matrices. For this purpose, reference mixtures simulating the production of pork sausages and wheat biscuits containing known amounts of mealworm were used. Real-time PCR with TaqMan probe targeting the cytochrome b gene of T. molitor was able to detect up to 2 fg of insect DNA, and 1.0 and 0.1 mg/kg of mealworm flour in autoclaved sausages and baked biscuits, respectively. Generally, the method showed acceptable analytical performance parameters, confirming its suitability/applicability for a wide range of foods. However, real-time PCR data showed significant differences among food matrix and processing, highlighting the importance of using appropriate calibration models for quantitative analysis. Finally, the real-time PCR approach was successfully validated with blind mixtures and applied to commercial samples, demonstrating its efficacy and reliability in the quantification of mealworm in processed foodstuffs.

Automated summary

This study aimed to develop a real-time PCR approach for the detection and quantification of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a potential allergenic food in complex matrices. The method showed acceptable analytical performance parameters and was confirmed to be suitable for a wide range of foods. However, there were significant differences in real-time PCR data among food matrix and processing, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate calibration models for quantitative analysis. Finally, the real-time PCR approach was successfully validated and applied to commercial samples, demonstrating its efficacy and reliability in the quantification of mealworm in processed foodstuffs.