Screening of Characteristic Peptide Biomarkers for Edible Locust Allergens by LC-MS/MS

Abstract Driven by the concept of a comprehensive food perspective, edible insect proteins such as locust protein have attracted considerable attention. However, the allergic reactions they trigger have become a critical obstacle to industrialization, highlighting the need for accurate detection methods for locust allergenic proteins. In this study, the East Asian locust (Locusta orientalis) was used as the research material. After protein extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis, five optimal characteristic allergenic peptides were identified based on evaluations of specificity, stability, and N‑terminal composition. Meanwhile, Skyline software was applied to optimize MRM detection parameters, laying a foundation for the sensitive and accurate detection of locust allergens using liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS). The identified characteristic peptides can serve as core biomarkers for the quantitative detection of locust allergens in food. This work supports the development of food safety standards and the standardization of allergen labeling, thereby protecting the health and safety of allergic consumers.