Quality and safety of food product – Current assessment, issues, and metabolomics as a way forward
Peir Shinn Hew, Jinap Selamat, Nuzul Noorahya Jambari, Suganya Murugesu, Maimunah Sanny, Alfi Khatib, Rashidah Sukor
Abstract
Metabolomics, as one of the omics areas, has emerged as a powerful platform for characterising metabolites (i.e. having molecular weight below 1,000 Da) present in biological fluids, matrices, and organisms. In this review, the applications of metabolomics in food analyses and recent advancement on the combinations of existing metabolomics technologies with other approaches are discussed. Although the applications of metabolomics in assessing the safety and quality of foods are wide ranging and relatively extensively discussed, there is a paucity in information regarding the evaluation of foods in terms of food adulteration by metabolome profiles. More efforts are still needed before the envisioned applications of metabolomics can be realised in this area. To this end, future studies to address the relevant current gaps need to be further explored.