A strategy for the quality control in Polyrhachis dives: Identification and quantification of specific peptides using untargeted and targeted mass spectrometry approaches.

Polyrhachis dives (P. dives) is a traditional edible insect with high nutritional value and is the only ant species that is administered as medicine and food. Therefore, it is of great significance to identify the authenticity of the species. In the current study, peptidomics analysis combining untargeted MS with targeted MS was developed and applied for the identification of specific peptides in P. dives and the establishment of quality control. A total of 16 specific peptides were screened, and 7 specific peptides with satisfactory signal response were obtained by targeted mass spectrometry, which could be used to distinguish P. dives from other ant species and ensure the quality of edible ants. Subsequently, the 7 specific peptides were quantitatively analyzed, followed by clustering analysis and biological activity experiments to categorize them into distinct qualities, providing valuable references for further development of quality control methods for P. dives.