| Modern proteomics tools allow for quick identification of proteins that may be present in aerosolized samples collected from snow crab processing. The coupling of electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has allowed for a rapid, 2--3 day, technique for the identification of these proteins. The protein bands are excised from gel slices, the protein present digested using trypsin and then analyzed using a MALDI-TOF MS instrument to produce a peptide mass fingerprint.;On-line database searching of the peptide mass fingerprints through Swiss-Prot or other database engines provide an efficient and effective means for protein identification, provided the protein has been sequenced. As well, unmatched peptide peaks can be analyzed through a post-translational modification database to help understand any chemical modifications that have occurred.;This combinational approach has produced a rapid technique for the screening of possible proteins aerosolized during commercial snow crab processing, some of which are allergens. Using the Swiss-Prot database, tropomyosin was identified in both lab-produced condensate and an air filter sample collected from a commercial snow crab processing plant. |
