PROteolysis TArgeting Chimaeras (PROTACs), initially developed for targeted protein degradation in drug discovery, are now emerging as promising tools in food science. By leveraging the ubiquitin-proteasome system, PROTACs enable selective and catalytic degradation of specific proteins, offering innovative solutions for food safety, allergen reduction, spoilage control, and nutritional enhancement. This review highlights their potential in eliminating anti-nutritional factors, neutralizing microbial toxins, and improving fermentation processes. PROTACs may also support advancements in smart packaging and food quality monitoring. Despite their promise, challenges remain, including the identification of food-safe ligases, compatibility with complex food matrices, scalable delivery formats, and regulatory acceptance. Interdisciplinary research involving synthetic biology and food-grade delivery systems will be essential to harness PROTACs for developing sustainable, health-promoting, and precision-targeted food innovations.
Singh et al. (Fri,) studied this question.