Novel reference gene, PKABA1, used in a duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection and quantitation of wheat- and barley-derived DNA

We report the development of a duplex real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the simultaneous detection and quantification of wheat- and barley-derived DNA. We used a single primer pair to amplify the single-copy gene PKABA1 from wheat and barley, using minor-groove-binding probes to distinguish between the two cereals. The assay was fully specific, and different wheat and barley cultivars exhibited similar Ct values, indicating stability across cultivars with respect to allelic and copy number composition. The limits of detection were 5 and 10 PCR-forming units for wheat and barley, respectively, making the duplex assay as sensitive as other singleplex reference gene systems published. We were able to detect both wheat and barley simultaneously in real food samples, and the duplex assay is considered to be suitable as an endogenous reference gene system for the detection and quantification of wheat and barley in genetically modified organisms (GMO) and other food and feed analyses.     

实时荧光PCR检测Ⅱ型猪链球菌方法的建立

建立了一种检测Ⅱ型猪链球菌(Streptococcus suis serotype 2)的实时荧光PCR(real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction)方法。用Primer Express2.0和Oligo6.0设计针对Ⅱ型猪链球菌荚膜抗原基因簇中cps2I基因的引物和Taqman荧光探针。通过常规PCR方法扩增得到81 bp DNA片段，克隆到pMD18-T载体，测序表明得到的序列为目的基因片段。在Lightcycler荧光PCR仪上对Ⅱ型猪链球菌的扩增曲线表明，该实时荧光PCR具有良好的特异性，可成功地扩增Ⅱ型猪链球菌，而参考猪链球菌(S.suis)、大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli )、沙门氏菌(Salmonella)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureu)、志贺氏菌(Shigella)、单增李斯特氏菌(Listeria monocytoge)和空白对照都是阴性；该检测方法可达到检测10个细菌的灵敏度，反应过程仅需30 min完成；在两个不同时间检测同一浓度的菌液，每次做20个重复，2次检测所得的Ct (threshold，阈循环)值之间无统计学差异(P > 0.05)，方法稳定性好。该实时荧光PCR检测Ⅱ型猪链球菌的方法可用于出入境检疫和动物防疫监督部门的疫情监测。     

Real-time PCR技术用于中国大菱鲆虹彩病毒的组织敏感性检测及病毒流行情况调查

中国大菱鲆虹彩病毒(turbot reddish body iridovirus, TRBIV)是一种感染养殖大菱鲆的鱼类虹彩病毒,它可以引起大菱鲆病毒性红体病并导致养殖大菱鲆大量死亡。本研究利用TRBIV主要衣壳蛋白基因序列设计的一对引物,结合内嵌式核酸染料SYBR Green І,建立了TRBIV特异的Real-time PCR检测方法。实验结果表明,该对引物具有较高的灵敏度和较强的特异性,能够检测相当于102数量级的TRBIV基因组拷贝,而不与健康大菱鲆组织DNA、淋巴囊肿病毒DNA发生交叉反应。最后,应用建立的Real-time PCR检测方法,开展了TRBIV的组织敏感性检测和病毒流行情况调查。结果发现,大菱鲆的脾脏、肾脏、脑、鳃、心脏、肝脏、消化道、血液等组织中均可检测到TRBIV的存在,其中脾和肾是TRBIV的最主要的靶器官,每毫克组织的病毒含量分别高达5.23106个和2.18106个。分子流行病学调查结果显示,在山东半岛的多个大菱鲆养殖场中均存在TRBIV的感染和流行。     

Exploitation of the chloroplast trnL (UAA) intron polymorphisms for the authentication of plant oils by means of a lab-on-a-chip capillary electrophoresis system

Methods to discriminate plant oils facilitate the detection of either deliberate or accidental adulteration. To this direction, the variability in length among plant species of the chloroplast trnL intron was exploited for the authentication of edible and cosmetic plant oils, with an extra emphasis on olive oil. The methodology was based on the combinatorial use of a PCR assay with a capillary electrophoresis system such as the lab-on-a-chip technology. Application of the assay on DNA extracted from different oil producing plant species, including olive oil and sesame oil, indicated the ability of the trnL intron to be used as an analytical target. Furthermore, this assay could be used for the detection of adulteration of olive oil with various other plant oils, with the exception of avocado and sesame oil.     

三重巢式PCR技术检测抗草甘膦转基因大豆深加工产品

实验以7种具有代表性的含有大豆成分的深加工产品(卵磷脂、大豆蛋白质粉、巧克力饮品、婴儿米粉、大豆粗油、大豆精炼油和大豆色拉油)作为样品进行定性检测，第一轮三重PCR均未能扩增出任何大豆成分，其灵敏度为0.5％。第二轮三重PCR可以扩增出除大豆精炼油和色拉油以外的所有深加工产品的内源基因Lectin、35S-CTP和EPSPS-NOS基因，其检测灵敏度达到0.005％，结果提示三重巢式PCR检测方法适用于大豆深加工产品的定性检测。     

Detection of castor contamination by real-time polymerase chain reaction

Due to the potential for intentional contamination of food with crude preparations containing ricin, a real-time PCR method was developed for the detection of castor plant material in ground beef. One primer pair was identified and confirmed to be castor-specific and efficient for amplification of ricin in DNA extracts from castor or beef matrices. Of three different DNA extraction protocols compared, the hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method yielded the highest quality of DNA for QPCR assay. The detection limit for castor contamination in ground beef samples was <0.001% (<10 microg of castor acetone powder per gram of beef, corresponding to 0.5 microg of ricin), indicating excellent sensitivity for the assay, well below the threshold for oral toxicity.     

Characteristic hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones for detecting gamma-irradiated sesame seeds after steaming, roasting, and oil extraction

Hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones in sesame seeds ( Sesamum indicum L.) irradiated at 0.5-4 kGy were used to determine the effect of subsequent steaming, roasting, and oil extraction from the roasted samples on the changes in their concentrations. The concentrations of radiation-induced hydrocarbons increased almost linearly (R(2) = 0.8671-0.9953) with the applied dose. The hydrocarbons, 1,7-hexadecadiene and 8-heptadecene, were detected only in the irradiated samples before and after three types of treatments at doses > or =0.5 kGy, but they were not detected in non-irradiated samples before and after treatment. These two hydrocarbons could be used as markers to identify irradiated sesame seeds. The concentrations of the three detected 2-alkylcyclobutanones, 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB), 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone (2-TCB), and 2-(5'-tetradecenyl)cyclobutanone (2-TeCB), linearly increased with the irradiation dose. These compounds could be detected at doses > or =0.5 kGy but not in non-irradiated samples. The three types of treatments had no significant effect on the levels of 2-alkylcyclobutanones.     

Sensitive PCR analysis of animal tissue samples for fragments of endogenous and transgenic plant DNA

An optimized DNA extraction protocol for animal tissues coupled with sensitive PCR methods was used to determine whether trace levels of feed-derived DNA fragments, plant and/or transgenic, are detectable in animal tissue samples including dairy milk and samples of muscle (meat) from chickens, swine, and beef steers. Assays were developed to detect DNA fragments of both the high copy number chloroplast-encoded maize rubisco gene (rbcL) and single copy nuclear-encoded transgenic elements (p35S and a MON 810-specific gene fragment). The specificities of the two rbcL PCR assays and two transgenic DNA PCR assays were established by testing against a range of conventional plant species and genetically modified maize crops. The sensitivities of the two rbcL PCR assays (resulting in 173 and 500 bp amplicons) were similar, detecting as little as 0.08 and 0.02 genomic equivalents, respectively. The sensitivities of the p35S and MON 810 PCR assays were approximately 5 and 10 genomic equivalents for 123 bp and 149 bp amplicons, respectively, which were considerably less than the sensitivity of the rbcL assays in terms of plant cell equivalents, but approximately similar when the higher numbers of copies of the chloroplast genome per cell are taken into account. The 173 bp rbcL assay detected the target plant chloroplast DNA fragment in 5%, 15%, and 53% of the muscle samples from beef steers, broiler chickens, and swine, respectively, and in 86% of the milk samples from dairy cows. Reanalysis of new aliquots of 31 of the pork samples that were positive in the 173 bp rbcL PCR showed that 58% of these samples were reproducibly positive in this same PCR assay. The 500 bp rbcL assay detected DNA fragments in 43% of the swine muscle samples and 79% of the milk samples. By comparison, no statistically significant detections of transgenic DNA fragments by the p35S PCR assay occurred with any of these animal tissue samples.     

Development of a real-time PCR for the detection of lupine DNA (lupinus species) in foods

Lupine flour, protein, and fiber have become common ingredients in food products. The association of lupine-related allergic incidents with peanut allergy is a cause for concern as the latter may bring about severe reactions. In this study, a hybridization probe-based real-time PCR assay for the detection of lupine DNA in foods was developed. Particular attention was paid to the specificity of the method, which was verified by analysis of DNA extracts from more than 50 potential food ingredients such as legumes, cereals, seeds, nuts, spices, fruits, and meat. The limit of detection of the method was determined as 0.1 mg/kg. The successful detection of the presence/absence of lupine DNA in 20 samples proved the suitability of the assay for the analysis of frequently encountered food matrices.     

猪附红细胞体荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立及应用

摘要: 根据GenBank已登录的猪附红细胞体（M.suis）推测的功能性蛋白基因ORF2序列设计引物和TaqMan荧光探针,以定量的10倍系列稀释含M.suis部分ORF2基因的T载体重组质粒（pGEX-T/M.suis）为标准品,进行荧光定量PCR扩增并制作了标准曲线,经对荧光定量PCR的反应条件进行优化,建立了M.suis的TaqMan荧光定量PCR检测方法（Taqman FQ-PCR）;对所建立的FQ-PCR检测方法进行了敏感性、特异性和重复性实验,并对疑似M.suis感染临床抗凝全血样品进行了检测应用。结果显示：标准曲线的曲线循环阈值与模板浓度有良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.998;所建立的FQ-PCR方法检测灵敏度可达10个拷贝/μL,比对照常规PCR灵敏度高100倍;FQ-PCR方法特异性高,对pGEX-T/M.suis重组质粒扩增呈现阳性反应曲线,而对8个对照细菌、病毒和寄生虫DNA扩增曲线均呈现阴性反应;对不同浓度的pGEX-T/M.suis重组质粒分别重复扩增2次,重复结果良好;用该方法对24份临床疑似M.suis感染样品进行了应用检测,结果有20份样品为阳性,阳性检出率高于常规PCR方法。     

Real-time quantitative PCR detection of genetically modified Maximizer maize and Roundup Ready soybean in some representative foods

A fast and quantitative method was developed to detect transgenic "Maximizer" maize "event 176" (Novartis) and "Roundup Ready" soybean (Monsanto) in food by real-time quantitative PCR. The use of the ABI Prism 7700 sequence detection system allowed the determination of the amplified product accumulation through a fluorogenic probe (TaqMan). Fluorescent dyes were chosen in such a way as to coamplify total and transgenic DNA in the same tube. Using real-time quantitative PCR, 2 pg of transgenic or total DNA per gram of starting sample was detected in 3 h after DNA extraction and the relative amounts of "Maximizer" maize and "Roundup Ready" soybean in some representative food products were quantified.     

Real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction detection and quantification of cow DNA in pure water buffalo mozzarella cheese: method validation and its application on commercial samples

Mozzarella cheese obtained from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) milk is a typical Italian product certificated by means of the European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Mozzarella cheese can also be obtained from bovine milk or bovine/buffalo milk mixtures, but in this case, it cannot be sold as PDO product, and its label must report the actual ingredients. However, bovine milk in PDO products was frequently detected in the past, suggesting fraudulent addition or accidental contamination. Several methods based on end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been profitably applied in a large number of tests to detect the presence of undeclared ingredients, also in dairy products. In the present study we report a real-time PCR method able to quantify bovine milk addition to pure buffalo cheese products. We validated a normalized procedure based on two targets: bovine mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) to detect and quantify the bovine DNA and nuclear growth hormone (GH) gene used as a universal reference marker. With the use of this real-time PCR assay, 64 commercial mozzarella di bufala cheese samples purchased at local supermarkets, dairy shops, or directly from cheese manufacturers were analyzed. The results obtained demonstrate that most of the commercial samples were contaminated with bovine milk. Therefore, this assay could be conveniently employed to carry out routine and accurate controls aimed not only to discourage any fraudulent behavior but also to reduce risks for consumer health.     

三种对虾病毒多重实时荧光PCR检测方法的建立

根据基因库中白斑综合征病毒（WSSV）、传染性皮下及造血器官坏死病毒（IHHNV）和桃拉综合征病毒（TSV）的基因序列,设计了WSSV 、IHHNV和TSV的三对特异性引物和三条用不同荧光基团标记的TaqMan探针。对反应条件和试剂浓度进行优化,建立了能够同时检测WSSV 、IHHNV和TSV的三重实时荧光PCR方法。该方法特异性好,对WSSV 、IHHNV和TSV的检测敏感性分别达到20000、20和20000个模板拷贝数;此外抗干扰能力强,对WSSV 、IHHNV和TSV不同模板浓度进行组合,仍可有效地同时检测这三个病毒。对保存的45份经常规PCR检测仅为WSSV 、IHHNV和TSV阳性的样品进行二重实时荧光PCR检测,结果都为阳性,其中2份为WSSV和IHHNV混合感染。本研究建立的三重实时荧光PCR方法用于WSSV、IHHNV和TSV的检测具有特异、敏感、快速、定量等优点。     

Quantitative detection of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) in cookies: ELISA versus real-time PCR

Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana) are used widely in the food industry, especially in confectionery, where they are used raw, roasted, or in a processed formulation (e.g., praline paste and hazelnut oil). Hazelnuts contain multiple allergenic proteins, which can induce an allergic reaction associated with symptoms ranging from mild irritation to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. To date, immunochemical (e.g., ELISA or dipstick) and PCR-based analyses are the only methods available that can be applied as routine tests. The aim of this study is to make a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of ELISA and real-time PCR in detecting and correctly quantifying hazelnut in food model systems. To this end, the performances of two commercial ELISAs were compared to those of two commercial and one in-house-developed real-time PCR assays. The results showed that although ELISA seemed to be more sensitive compared to real-time PCR, both detection techniques suffered from matrix effects and lacked robustness with regard to food processing. As these impacts were highly variable among the different evaluated assays (both ELISA and real-time PCR), no firm conclusion can be made as to which technique is suited best to detect hazelnut in (processed) food products. In this regard, the current lack of appropriate DNA calibrators to quantify an allergenic ingredient by means of real-time PCR is highlighted.     

Event-specific qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis for genetically modified canola T45

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods have been the main technical support for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). To date, GMO-specific PCR detection strategies have been developed basically at four different levels, such as screening-, gene-, construct-, and event-specific detection methods. Event-specific PCR detection method is the primary trend in GMO detection because of its high specificity based on the flanking sequence of exogenous integrant. GM canola, event T45, with tolerance to glufosinate ammonium is one of the commercial genetically modified (GM) canola events approved in China. In this study, the 5'-integration junction sequence between host plant DNA and the integrated gene construct of T45 canola was cloned and revealed by means of TAIL-PCR. Specific PCR primers and TaqMan probes were designed based upon the revealed sequence, and qualitative and quantitative TaqMan real-time PCR detection assays employing these primers and probe were developed. In qualitative PCR, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1% for T45 canola in 100 ng of genomic DNA. The quantitative PCR assay showed limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ) of 5 and 50 haploid genome copies, respectively. In addition, three mixed canola samples with known GM contents were detected employing the developed real-time PCR assay, and expected results were obtained. These results indicated that the developed event-specific PCR methods can be used for identification and quantification of T45 canola and its derivates.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in different Indian cereals, pulses, spices, vegetables, fruits, milk, butter, Deshi ghee, and edible oils.

A total of 244 samples of cereals (wheat flour, rice, and maize), pulses (arhar, moong, gram, lentil, and black gram), spices (turmeric, chili, coriander, and black pepper), vegetables (potato, onion, spinach, cabbage, brinjal, and tomato), fruits (mango, guava, apple, and grape), milk, butter, Deshi ghee, and edible oils (vegetable, mustard, groundnut, and sesame) collected from different cities of Northern Province (Utter Pradesh) were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography for the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues. Residues of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) were detected in about 85% of the total samples of cereals, spices, milk, butter, Deshi ghee, and edible oils analyzed in the present study. However, the residue levels were either very small (less than 0.06 ppm) or not detected at all in pulses, vegetables, and fruits as compared with very high concentrations in wheat flour (4.42 and 0.12 ppm), butter (1.19 and 4.85 ppm), mustard oil (1.26 and 2.42 ppm), Deshi ghee (1.10 and 3.84 ppm), vegetable oil (1.02 and 0.59 ppm), groundnut oil (0.51 and 1.49 ppm), and chili (0.48 and 1.92 ppm). The levels of HCH and DDT residues detected in rice, maize, turmeric, corlander, black pepper, and all the vegetables and fruits were also lower than those found in wheat flour, oil, and fat samples analyzed in the present study. These findings suggest that a restricted and controlled use of such persistent pesticides may be useful for decreasing their contamination levels in different food items.     

Detection and quantification of roundup ready soy in foods by conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction

Transgenic soybean line GTS-40-3-2, marketed under the trade name Roundup Ready (RR) soy, was developed by Monsanto (USA) to allow for the use of glyphosate, the active ingredient of the herbicide Roundup, as a weed control agent. RR soy was first approved in Canada for environmental release and for feed products in 1995 and later for food products in 1996 and is widely grown in Canada. Consumer concern issues have resulted in proposed labeling regulations in Canada for foods derived from genetically engineered crops. One requirement for labeling is the ability to detect and accurately quantify the amount of transgenic material present in foods. Two assays were evaluated. A conventional qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay to detect the presence of soy and RR soy and a real-time PCR to quantify the amount of RR soy present in samples that tested positive in the first assay. PCR controls consisted of certified RR soy reference material, single transgenic soybeans, and a processed food sample containing a known amount of RR soy. To test real-world applicability, a number of common grocery store food items that contain soy-based products were tested. For some samples, significant differences in amplification efficiencies during the quantitative PCR assays were observed compared to the controls, resulting in potentially large errors in quantification. A correction factor was used to try to compensate for these differences.     

Quantification of genetically modified soybean by quenching probe polymerase chain reaction

Quenching probe (QProbe) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a simple and cost-effective real-time PCR assay in comparison with other real-time PCR assays such as the TaqMan assay. We used QProbe-PCR to quantify genetically modified (GM) soybean (Roundup Ready soybean). We designed event-specific QProbes for Le1 (soy endogenous gene) and RRS (recombinant gene), and we quantified certified reference materials containing 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5% GM soybean. The TaqMan assay was also applied to the same samples, and the results were compared. The accuracy of QProbe-PCR was similar to that of TaqMan assay. When GM soybean content was 0.5% or more, the relative standard deviations of QProbe-PCR were less than 20%. QProbe-PCR is sensitive enough to monitor labeling systems and has acceptable levels of accuracy and precision.     

Detection and quantification of the nematophagous fungus Hirsutella minnesotensis in soil with real-time PCR

A real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify in soil the fungus Hirsutella minnesotensis, an important parasite of secondary-stage juvenile (J2) of the soybean cyst nematode. A primer pair 5′-GGGAGGCCCGGTGGA-3′ and 5′-TGATCCGAGGTCAACTTCTGAA-3′ and a TaqMan probe 5′-CGTCCGCCGTAAAACGCCCAAC-3′ were designed based on the sequence of the ITS region of the rRNA gene. The primers were highly species-specific. The PCR reaction system was very sensitive and able to detect as few as 4 conidia g^?1 soil. Regression analysis showed similar slopes and efficiency on DNA from pure culture (y = ?3.587x + 41.017, R² = 0.9971, E = 0.9055) and from Log conidia g^?1 soil (y = ?3.855x + 37.669, R² = 0.9139, E = 0.8172), indicating that the real-time PCR protocol can reliably quantify H. minnesotensis in the soil. The real-time PCR assay was applied to 20 soil samples from soybean fields, and compared with a parasitism assay. The real-time PCR assay detected H. minnesotensis in six of the soils, whereas the parasitism assay detected H. minnesotensis in the same six soils and three additional soils. The real-time PCR assay was weakly correlated (R² = 0.49) with the percentage of parasitized J2 in the six soils, indicating that different types of soil may interfere the efficiency of the real-time PCR assay, possibly due to the effect of soil types on efficacy of DNA extraction. The parasitism assay appeared to be more sensitive than real-time PCR in detecting presence of H. minnesotensis, but real-time PCR was much faster and less costly and provided a direct assessment of fungal biomass. Using the two assays in combination can obtain more complete information about the fungus in soil than either assay alone. Hirsutella parasitism was widespread and detected in 13 of the 20 field soils, indicating that these fungi may contribute to suppressiveness of soybean cyst nematode in nature and likely have high biological control potential for the nematode.     

Separation of food grade antioxidants (synthetic and natural) using mixed micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

A capillary electrophoretic method, for the determination of antioxidants present in food, has been developed using mixed micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. The buffer consists of sodium cholate (40 mM), sodium dodecyl sulfate (15 mM), 10% methanol, and 10 mM borate at pH 9.3. A separation was obtained for nine antioxidants (synthetic and natural) commonly found in food. High-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis were applied to the analysis of sesame oil and wine. Ascorbic acid was identified in wine.