Towards a safer food chain: Recent advances in multi-technology based lipidomics application to food quality and safety

Abstract

Background

Lipidomics, as a specialized branch of metabolomics, has emerged as a robust approach for elucidating the properties of lipid molecules and ensuring food safety. Recent advancements in lipidomics have been significantly driven by the integration of multiple technologies, particularly the application of advanced mass spectrometry techniques. These innovations enable precise qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipid molecules, positioning lipidomics as a valuable tool for enhancing food chain security.

Scope and approach

This review paper comprehensively examines the structure and biological functional characteristics of lipids, and provides a systematic overview of recent advancements in lipidomics methodologies. It covers key aspects including lipid extraction, mass spectrometry-based detection, and data processing and analysis. These developments offer in-depth insights pertinent to food science research.

Key findings and conclusions

Multi-Technology Based lipidomics has proven to be an exceptionally promising strategy for safeguarding food quality and safety, which has demonstrated effectiveness in addressing practical challenges within the food industry, such as traceability of food origin, identification of food variety, and classification and grading. With advancements in lipid extraction techniques, mass spectrometry detection technologies, and analytical tools, this robust analytical platform offers sensitive and efficient evaluations of lipid molecules. This supports rapid and precise lipid identification, alongside comprehensive investigations into their functional roles in nutrition and health. These insights pave the way for enhanced quality and safety assurance across the food supply chain, while also deepening our understanding of the critical contributions of lipids to food quality and safety.