Gluten Analysis in Processed Foodstuffs by a Multi-Allergens and Grain-Specific UHPLC-MS/MS Method: One Method to Detect Them All

Celiac disease, a complex, long-term autoimmune disorder and gluten intolerance, is estimated to affect from 1 to 5% of the world's population. As a consequence, to protect gluten-sensitive consumers, the development of reliable analytical methods allowing the detection of gluten in various food products is needed. Currently, ELISA is probably the most widespread used methodology. The method based on the R5 antibody has received type I status in Codex Alimentarius. However, the ELISA method suffers from some limitations, especially concerning quantification of nonwheat gluten. As a consequence, the development of another complementary methodology such as LC-tandem MS (MS/MS) is considered to be essential. Furthermore, this method could also be used for the simultaneous detection of gluten with other allergens, which will constitute a great additional benefit for producers of "free-from" food products and/or having a management policy integrated for several allergies and/or intolerances. A multi-allergen and grain-specific ultra-HPLC coupled to MS/MS method allowing the identification and the discrimination of gluten from seven cereals, simultaneously with the detection and identification of 10 allergens in only one analysis, is thus described here. This method can be used for the analysis of a broad range of foodstuff matrices containing wheat and/or its derivatives, including cereals, flours, heat-treated and foodstuffs, but also more complex samples having undergone fermentation processes (such as beers).