Work

Unlocking the Power of Metaproteomics: A Novel Tool for Enhancing Shorebird Conservation and Blue-Economy Management

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Metaproteomics, the large-scale analysis of proteins from environmental or host-associated samples, has emerged as a transformative tool for characterizing microbial communities and their functional roles. Unlike metagenomics or metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics directly captures phenotypic expression, linking molecular function to ecological and physiological outcomes. Beyond its established applications in human microbiome and dietary research, metaproteomics enables the precise identification of food-derived protein biomarkers, including the discrimination of tissue-specific origins. This level of resolution is not attainable through DNA-based approaches. Here, we applied metaproteomics for the first time to analyze the feces of shorebirds in the salt flats and salt marshes of Cadiz Bay, aiming to determine their diet with unprecedented resolution. Conventional methods, based on direct observation or fecal inspection, are labor-intensive and risk losing critical dietary information. By contrast, metaproteomics provides rapid, high-resolution insights, offering a robust alternative for ecological monitoring. Our results demonstrate the potential of this technique to transform natural area management, optimize conservation strategies for avian species, and support the sustainable development of the blue economy. This study highlights metaproteomics as an innovative, cross-sectoral approach capable of advancing both fundamental ecological research and practical conservation outcomes.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms27219508