A novel real-time polymerase chain reaction method for the detection of macadamia nuts in food

A real-time PCR-based method for the detection of macadamia nuts (fruits of Macadamia integrifolia or M. tetraphylla or their hybrids) in food products is described. The method consists of DNA isolation by chaotropic solid phase extraction and subsequent PCR with macadamia-specific primers and a TaqMan fluorescent probe. The primers and the probe were targeted to the gene encoding for vicilin precursor. The method was positive for M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla and negative for 16 other plant species used in food industry, including peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachio nuts, cashew nuts, Brazil nuts, and chestnuts. The DNA-based detection limit of the method was 1.45 pg. Using a series of model samples with defined macadamia nut contents, a practical detection limit of 0.02% (w/w) macadamia nuts was determined. Practical applicability of the PCR method was tested by the analysis of 14 confectionery samples. For all of the samples, results conforming to the labeling were obtained. The presented PCR method is useful for relatively fast, highly selective, and moderately sensitive detection of macadamia nuts in food samples.