Detection and characterization of gelatin in confectionery products and capsulated dietary supplements using indirect ELISA†

Gelatin, a collagen derivative, is widely used as food supplement, as an ingredient in confectionery products, or to encapsulate nutritional supplements or pharmaceuticals. There are issues around gelatin relating to authenticity and potential mislabeling, which require the development of methods to detect the presence of gelatin and to determine its animal species origin in food products. Therefore, we have developed an immunological method using simultaneously four different carefully selected antibodies to detect and characterize, in a single test, gelatin from commercially processed products and capsule shells regardless of their animal origin. This method has been validated on industrial gelatin powders and empty capsules of known species origin, and then applied to confectionery products and encapsulated dietary supplements. If gelatin is present in the sample, a semi-quantification can be performed. This affordable and rapid method will increase the consumer confidence in the food products used.