PCR identification of beef, sheep, goat, and pork in raw and heat-treated meat mixtures

A PCR assay has been developed for the specific and qualitative detection of pork (Sus scrofa domesticus), beef (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), and goat (Capra hircus) in raw and heat-treated meat mixtures. A forward common primer was designed on a conserved DNA sequence in the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA), and reverse primers were designed to hybridize on species-specific DNA sequences of each species considered. The different sizes of the species-specific amplicons, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, allowed clear species identification. Analysis of experimental meat mixtures demonstrated that the detection limit of the assay was 1% (wt/wt) for each species analyzed. This assay can be useful for the accurate identification of these species, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in meat mixtures.     

Application of quantitative real-time PCR in the detection of prion-protein gene species-specific DNA sequences in animal meals and feedstuffs

This study describes a method for quantitative and species-specific detection of animal DNA from different species (cattle, sheep, goat, swine, and chicken) in animal feed and feed ingredients, including fish meals. A quantitative real-time PCR approach was carried out to characterize species-specific sequences based on the amplification of prion-protein sequence. Prion-protein species-specific primers and TaqMan probes were designed, and amplification protocols were optimized in order to discriminate the different species with short PCR amplicons. The real-time quantitative PCR approach was also compared to conventional species-specific PCR assays. The real-time quantitative assay allowed the detection of 10 pg of ruminant, swine, and poultry DNA extracted from meat samples processed at 130 degrees C for 40 min, 200 kPa. The origin of analyzed animal meals was characterized by the quantitative estimation of ruminant, swine, and poultry DNA. The TaqMan assay was used to quantify ruminant DNA in feedstuffs with 0.1% of meat and bone meal. In conclusion, the proposed molecular approach allowed the detection of species-specific DNA in animal meals and feedstuffs.     

Application of PCR and SYBR Green Q Rti-PCR Assays for the Identification and Quantification of Chicken Meat Under Different Cooking Conditions

Conventional and SYBR Green Q Rti-PCR assays using primers targeting the 12S rRNA of chicken mitochondrial genes were employed for the detection and quantification of chicken used in food stuffs. The assays were recruited to amplify different known concentrations of DNA in the mixtures. Different kinds of processed meats were prepared using various amounts of chicken that were heated at different temperatures in order to detect the chicken in the mixtures. The PCR amplification of DNA revealed that the assay can amplify the species-specific amplicons as little as 0.01 ng of DNA in PCR reactions. Different concentrations of raw chicken were detected based on the threshold cycle. The technique was able to detect from 5% to 90% ratios of the chicken materials in sausages. Analysis of the experimental meat mixtures revealed the usefulness of the assays in detecting and quantifying chicken mitochondrial DNA in the mixtures.     

Identification of meat species by TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay

In this study, a convenient, sensitive and specific real-time PCR assay was described for the species identification and their quantification in raw and cooked meat products. Specific primers and TaqMan probes were designed on the mitochondrial ND2, ND5 and ATP 6-8 genes for donkey, pork and horse, respectively, and the performance of the method was tested. In the results, no cross-reaction was observed between the donkey and pork species specific primer-probe systems and non-target species (bovine, ovine, chicken and turkey). Only one cross reaction was observed between the horse species specific primer-probe set and 100 ng pork DNA at the ct 33.01 level (corresponding to 0.01 ng horse DNA). The real-time quantitative assay used in this study allowed the detection of as little as 0.0001 ng template DNA from pure meat for each species investigated and experimental meat mixtures. In conclusion, it can be suggested that the TaqMan probe assay used in this research might be a rapid and sensitive method for the routine meat species identifications studies in raw or cooked meat products.     

Quantification of beef,pork, chicken and turkey proportions in sausages: use of matrix-adapted standards and comparison of single versus multiplex PCR in an interlaboratory trial

Quantitative PCR methods for the determination of beef, pork, chicken and turkey proportions in sausage were tested in an interlaboratory trial. Twelve different laboratories analysed six meat products each made of different compositions of beef, pork, chicken and turkey. Two kinds of calibrators were used: sausages of known proportions of meat and DNA from muscle tissue. Results generated using calibration sausages were more accurate than those resulting from the use of muscle tissue DNA. Regardless of the method used (either multiplex or single PCR), when using calibration sausages, it was always possible to quantify the proportions of meats in the unknown samples (in the range of 0.5–80%) with high precision and accuracy.     

Safety improvement and preservation of typical sensory qualities of traditional dry fermented sausages using autochthonous starter cultures

Traditional dry fermented sausages are manufactured without addition of starter cultures in small-scale processing units, their fermentation relying on indigenous microflora. Characterisation and control of these specific bacteria are essential for the sensory quality and the safety of the sausages. The aim of this study was to develop an autochthonous starter culture that improves safety while preserving the typical sensory characteristics of traditional sausages. An autochthonous starter composed of Lactobacillus sakei, Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus succinus isolated from a traditional fermented sausage was developed. These strains were tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics and their production of biogenic amines. This starter was evaluated in situ at the French traditional processing unit where the strains had been isolated. Effects of the autochthonous starter were assessed by analysing the microbial, physico-chemical, biochemical and sensory characteristics of the sausages. Inoculation with the chosen species was confirmed using known species-specific PCR assays for L. sakei and S. equorum and a species-specific PCR assay developed in this study for S. succinus. Strains were monitored by pulse-field gel electrophoresis typing. Addition of autochthonous microbial starter cultures improved safety compared with the traditional natural fermentation of sausages, by inhibiting the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, decreasing the level of biogenic amines and by limiting fatty acid and cholesterol oxidation. Moreover, autochthonous starter did not affect the typical sensory quality of the traditional sausages. This is the first time to our knowledge that selection, development and validation in situ of autochthonous starter cultures have been carried out, and also the first time that S. equorum together with S. succinus have been used as starter cultures for meat fermentation. Use of autochthonous starter cultures is an effective tool for limiting the formation of unsafe compounds in traditional sausage while preserving their original and specific sensory quality.     

PCR identification of ruminant tissue in raw and heat-treated meat meals

To control the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle through contaminated animal feedstuffs, screening of feed products is essential. We designed five pairs of primers to identify specifically raw and heat-treated tissue from cattle, sheep, goat, deer, and ruminants in general. A forward common primer was designed based on a conserved DNA sequence in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA-tRNA(val)-16S rRNA gene, and reverse primers were designed to hybridize with a species-specific DNA sequence for each species considered. All primers were developed to create a specific PCR product small enough (less than 200 bp) to be suitable for heat-treated material. To evaluate the effect of heat treatment, a severe sterilization condition (133 degrees C at 300 kPa for 20 min) was chosen. Species-specific amplicons were obtained from all types of heat-treated meat meals. Analysis of laboratory-contaminated vegetable meals revealed that the detection limit of the assay was 0.05% for each species analyzed. This PCR-based analysis can be used as a routine method for detecting banned animal-derived ingredients in raw and heat-treated feedstuffs.     

Species-specific expression of various proteins in meat tissue: Proteomic analysis of raw and cooked meat and meat products made from beef,pork and selected poultry species

The aim was to search for proteins differentiating the six species (cattle, pig, chicken, turkey, duck and goose) and relatively stable during the meat aging and only slightly degraded in ready-made products. The two-dimensional electrophoresis was used for analysis of the protein profiles from raw meat and frankfurters and sausages (15 products). The observed species-specific differences in protein expression in raw meat were retained in processed products after finishing the entire technological process. Regulatory proteins, metabolic enzymes, some myofibrillar and blood plasma proteins were identified, which were characterised by the electrophoretic mobility specific to the given species. Large differences in the primary structure were observed in serum albumin, apolipoprotein B, HSP27, H-FABP, ATP synthase, cytochrome bc-1 subunit 1 and alpha-ETF. Some of these proteins have potential to be used as markers in authentication of meat products.     

Optimization of multiplex PCR for the identification of animal species using mitochondrial genes in sausages

Detection of species fraud in meat products is very important in order to protect consumers from undesirable adulteration, as well as for the economic, religious and health aspects. The most important reason for verification of the labeling statements is to detect fraudulent substitution of expensive meat components with other cheaper animals or mislabeling. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR that could be used in the simultaneous identification of multiple meat species. In this study, ten sausages with a minimum beef content of 55 %, from ten different manufacturing companies, and five samples of cow, chicken, goat, camel and donkey raw meats, for the purpose of positive control, were collected from food markets in Tehran, Iran. Total DNA was extracted from each sausage and the raw meats. Primers were selected in different regions of mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA, cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase subunits 2) for identification of meat species. 12S rRNA and NADH dehydrogenase subunits 2 primers generated specific fragments of 183 and 145 bp length, for chicken and donkey, respectively. Three different specific primers were used for amplification of cytochrome b gene in goat, camel and cattle species and amplified species-specific DNA fragments of 157, 200 and 274 bp, respectively. The results proved that half of the specimens were contaminated with chicken meat, and this was greater than the proportion of beef stated on the label, while the other half only had chicken residuals, and no beef content. No contamination was found with goat, donkey or camel meats. These findings showed that molecular methods, such as multiplex PCR, is a potentially reliable, sensitive and accurate assay for the detection of adulterated meat species in mixed meat products.     

Differentiation of animal species in food by oligonucleotide microarray hybridization

Oligonucleotide microarray hybridization analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene DNA was applied to identify different animal species in meat and cheese food samples. A pair of universal primers binding to conserved regions of the vertebrate mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was used to amplify a 377 bp fragment with internal regions of high inter-species variability. PCR products of cattle, pig, chicken, turkey, sheep and goat were unequivocally identified by hybridization with species-specific probe sequences immobilized on an oligonucleotide microarray. In meat samples, 0.1% admixtures of beef or chicken meat were still detectable. By using this new PCR-based DNA chip hybridization for the analysis of 24 commercial food samples from routine control, the simultaneous species composition of mixtures with up to four different species could be determined in a single experiment. The results agreed well with those from the reference methods performed at the local food control authority, which are a combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), species-specific PCR and PCR–RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism). Thus, the DNA chip hybridization analysis of cytochrome b PCR products offers a new way for rapid and sensitive species differentiation in food.     

一种基于多重实时荧光聚合酶链式反应熔解曲线分析的肉及肉制品掺假鉴别方法

为实现肉及肉制品掺假快速鉴别,分别以猪、牛线粒体DNA的COXⅠ,绵羊、山羊、狗、狐狸、貉线粒体DNA的16S rRNA及鸡、鸭线粒体DNA的12S rRNA基因为靶位点,设计扩增产物熔解温度(T_m值)具有显著性差异的特异性引物,建立一种用于快速鉴别肉或肉制品中猪、牛、绵羊、山羊、鸡、鸭、狗、狐、貉9种源性成分的5重实时荧光聚合酶链式反应熔解曲线分析方法,通过特异性、灵敏度及市售样品的检测,对该方法进行检验和评价。结果表明:方法具有良好的特异性及灵敏度,单物种DNA检出限为0.001~1 ng,多物种混合DNA检出限均为0.1 ng,通过市售样品检测表明该方法可用于实际样品(包括生鲜样品和熟制样品)掺假的快速鉴别。     

Rapid detection of chicken and turkey in heated meat products using the polymerase chain reaction followed by amplicon visualisation with vistra green

A rapid and highly specific assay suitable for the routine detection of turkey and chicken in processed meat products has been developed. Based on PCR amplification of species-specific amplicons with rapid visualisation using vistra green, the assay may be completed within 5 h of receipt of sample. DNA was isolated from meat samples by the use of Wizard DNA isolation technology and followed by DNA amplification in the polymerase chain reaction using species specific primers, chicken forward (CF), chicken reverse (CR), turkey forward (TF) and turkey reverse (TR): the production of an amplicon was detected after the end of the PCR in less than 5 min using vistra green and a fluorescence plate reader. The presence of fluorescence denoted the presence of the target species in the sample.     

Comparative studies of a real-time PCR method and three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of central nervous system tissues in meat products

The removal of certain central nervous system (CNS) tissues (part of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk material) from the food chain is one of the highest priority tasks associated with avoiding contamination of the human food chain with the agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. A recently developed real-time PCR assay and three commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of CNS tissues in minced meat and three types of heat-treated sausages were evaluated. Bovine brain was used for spiking of internal reference material, and its detectability was examined during storage times of 12 months (for frozen minced meat and liver sausage) and 24 months (for sausages treated with medium and high heat). The real-time PCR method and both ELISA kits detected 0.1% CNS tissue in frozen minced meat and 0.1 or 1% CNS tissue in heat-treated meat products. The detectability of the amplified mRNA target region with the PCR assay was similar to the detectability of antigen by the ELISAs. Because the real-time PCR method also can be used to distinguish cattle, ovine, and caprine CNS tissues from porcine CNS tissues, it seems to be suitable as a routine diagnostic test for the sensitive and specific detection of CNS tissues in meat and meat products.     

A quick and simple method for the identification of meat species and meat products by PCR assay

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to identify six meats (cattle, pig, chicken, sheep, goat and horse) as raw materials for products. By mixing seven primers in appropriate ratios, species-specific DNA fragments could be identified by only one multiplex PCR. A forward primer was designed on a conserved DNA sequence in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and reverse primers on species-specific DNA sequences for each species. PCR primers were designed to give different length fragments from the six meats. The products showed species-specific DNA fragments of 157, 227, 274, 331, 398 and 439 bp from goat, chicken, cattle, sheep, pig and horse meats, respectively. Identification is possible by electrophoresis of PCR products. Cattle, pig, chicken, sheep and goat fragments were amplified from cooked meat heated at 100 or 120°C for 30 min, but horse DNA fragments could not be detected from the 120°C sample. Detection limits of the DNA samples were 0.25 ng for all meats.     

Development of a Species-Specific PCR Assay for Correct Labeling of Eight Squid Species from Loliginidae and Ommastrephidae Families (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

Squid is an important seafood resource in Asian and European countries. Due to the different nutritional and market values of various squid species, substitutions between species often occur for higher profits. In this study, a species-specific PCR assay was developed for genetic discrimination of eight commercially important squid species from each other, based on the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites exploited from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences. The introduction of additional mismatches both in the forward and reverse primers ensured absolute allele specificity despite a moderate annealing temperature. The eight squid species can be clearly discriminated from each other by simplex PCR, and the developed multiplex species-specific PCR assay can detect 1% of intentional adulteration of non-target squid species into target species down to the 0.1 ng level of template DNA without PCR optimization. Therefore, the present study provides a simple and reliable genetic assay for identification of squid origin either in single or mixed species, and the developed assay will be useful in correct labeling and quality control of squid products.     

应用多重PCR快速鉴定自然发酵肉制品中6 种葡萄球菌

肉葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus carnosus）、木糖葡萄球菌（S. xylosus）、腐生葡萄球菌（S. saprophyticus）、表皮葡萄球菌（S. epidermidis）、马胃葡萄球菌（S. equorum）和松鼠葡萄球菌（S. sciuri）是发酵肉制品中常见的葡萄球菌,为准确、快速地检测和鉴定这些菌种,建立6?种葡萄球菌的多重聚合酶链式反应（polymerase chain reaction,PCR）方法并进行验证。以上述菌种的gap、rpoB、SodA和SNc为靶基因,设计和筛选菌种特异性引物6?对,优化PCR体系,建立6?种葡萄球菌的多重PCR鉴定方法。实验结果显示多重PCR的基因组DNA检测灵敏度可达到4?pg,活菌检测灵敏度可达到2×102?CFU;采用建立的多重PCR方法对传统肉制品中分离的8?株葡萄球菌进行鉴定,结果与16S rDNA序列分析、生理生化鉴定结果一致。建立的多重PCR方法具有较高的种间特异性,可快速、准确地用于发酵肉制品中肉葡萄球菌、木糖葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌、马胃葡萄球菌、松鼠葡萄球菌和腐生葡萄球菌的检测和鉴定,具有较好的应用前景。     

微滴式数字聚合酶链式反应精准定量检测羊肉中掺杂猪肉

以羊和猪的单拷贝持家基因DNA复制蛋白A1为靶基因设计合成了适用于微滴式数字聚合酶链式反应的特异性引物和探针,通过理论推导获得了单位质量两种肉基因拷贝数之比的固定值,并进行了验证,据此将样品中羊肉和猪肉的拷贝数转换为相对质量分数,从而建立了羊肉中掺杂猪肉的精准定量检测方法。该方法可以很好地应用于羊肉中掺杂猪肉的含量检测,猪肉的最低定量限为1%,在5%~80%范围内绝对误差小于±1.30%,相对误差小于±10%,定量结果准确、重复性高,可以为肉类掺假的监管工作提供有力的技术参考。     

The practical analysis of food: The development of Sakalar quantification table of DNA (SQT-DNA)

Practical and highly sensitive Sakalar quantification table of DNA (SQT-DNA) has been developed for the detection% of species-specific DNA amount in food products. Cycle threshold (Ct) data were obtained from multiple curves of real-time qPCR. The statistical analysis was done to estimate the concentration of standard dilutions. Amplicon concentrations versus each Ct value were assessed by the predictions of targets at known concentrations. SQT-DNA was prepared by using the percentage versus each Ct values. The applicability of SQT-DNA to commercial foods was proved by using sausages containing varying ratios of beef, chicken, and soybean. The results showed that SQT-DNA can be used to directly quantify food DNA by a single PCR without the need to construct a standart curve in parallel with the samples every time the experiment is performed, and also quantification by SQT-DNA is as reliable as standard curve quantification for a wide range of DNA concentrations.