Identification of species-specific DNA in feedstuffs

Due to the menace of transmission of spongiform encephalopathies, feed components intended for ruminant nutrition must be checked for the presence of ruminant-derived materials. A sensitive method for the identification of bovine- and ovine- and also swine- and chicken-specific mitochondrial DNA sequences based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has been developed. The specificity of the primers for PCR has been tested using samples of DNA of other vertebrate species, which may also be present in rendering plant products intended for feed manufacture. The method allows the detection in concentrate mixtures of 0.01% of the target species derived material. The identity of a sample containing 0.1% of bovine, ovine, swine, and chicken meat-and-bone meal has further been confirmed by sequencing.     

Quantitative PCR detection of pork in raw and heated ground beef and pâté

Quantitative estimates are important to establish whether pork adulteration in ground beef and paté is accidental or intentional. A PCR procedure has been developed and evaluated to quantify pork in heated and nonheated meat and patés by densitometry using a specific and sensitive repetitive DNA element. Thirty, twenty-five, and twenty PCR cycles were carried out to find the best standard curve and correlation between pork content and band intensity. Twenty cycles showed the best results, quantifying degree contamination up to 1% pork in beef (heated and nonheated) and pork in duck paté with a minimum error. Finally, fraud was found in commercial patés.     

Direct and highly species-specific detection of pork meat and fat in meat products by PCR amplification of mitochondrial DNA

Highly species-specific primers for pork D-loop mtDNA have been designed. Use of these and restrictive PCR amplification conditions has improved a reliable and rapid method for detecting a PCR-amplified 531 bp band from pork. It has been proved useful for detecting both pork meat and fat in meat mixtures, including those dry-cured and heated by cooking. Absence of response in PCR-amplified samples or mixtures from bovine, ovine, chicken, and human was also demonstrated. Furthermore, wild boar and pork samples can be also easily distinguished by a simple AvaII restriction analysis.     

Establishment and application of a fluorescent polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for identifying porcine,caprine, and bovine meats

A method of fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was applied as an analytical and quantitative tool for meat identification. Following alignments of the nucleotide sequences, an oligonucleotide primer pair was designed to amplify the partial sequences within the 12S ribosomal RNA (12S rRNA) gene of mitochondrial DNA from porcine, caprine, and bovine meats. No fragment can be amplified from dog, cat, fish, duck, goose, turkey, and chicken DNA with the primer pair. Using fluorescence sensor capillary electrophoresis, the species-specific DNA fingerprints of pork, goat, and beef were generated by restriction enzyme digestion following a fluorescence-labeling PCR amplification. Species identification was conducted on the meat mixtures. The reliably semiquantitative levels were below 1% for binary mixtures of pork, goat, and beef. Cooking and autoclaving of meats did not influence the generation of the PCR-RFLP profiles or the analytical accuracy.     

Simultaneous detection of eight food allergens using optical thin-film biosensor chips

Food allergies are important food safety issues nowadays. To maintain the safety of people who experience allergic reactions, labeling is required in many countries and efficient and reliable detection methods are necessary. This paper reports a novel method for the rapid identification of food allergens through the use of a silicon-based optical thin-film biosensor chip with which color change results can be perceived by the naked eye without any extra equipment. The whole system can detect eight food allergens including soybean, wheat, peanut, cashew, shrimp, fish, beef, and chicken simultaneously. Sensitive and specific detection of the absolute detection limit of this method was 0.5 pg of cashew DNA, and the practical detection limit of 0.001%. The biosensor chip detection time was about 30 min after PCR amplification. The assay is proposed as a sensitive, specific, high-throughput, and ready-to-use analytical tool to detect the presence or confirm the absence of eight food allergens.     

Analysis of polyphenols using capillary zone electrophoresis and HPLC: detection of soy, lupin, and pea protein in meat products

The analysis of polyphenols, which are characteristic of certain legumes, enables a rapid and sensitive detection of legume proteins in meat products. Separation of specific isoflavones can be achieved by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), both coupled with a photodiode array detector (DAD). The use of CZE in the identification process is an appropriate means of rapid screening; the HPLC is less dependent on matrix effects and clearly more sensitive. Additives of soy protein isolates up to 0.1% could be detected in meat products, even in sausages heated to a high temperature or with hydrolyzed soy proteins. A solid-phase extraction procedure with polyamide cartridges has been developed to concentrate polyphenols. A similar detection of lupin protein is possible in principle. In the case of pea protein, a reliable detection was not possible depending on the coincidental appearance of polyphenols as indicating substances.     

Detection of ruminant meat and bone meals in animal feed by real-time polymerase chain reaction: result of an interlaboratory study

The commercialization of animal feeds infected by prions proved to be the main cause of transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Therefore, feed bans were enforced, initially for ruminant feeds, and later for all feeds for farmed animals. The development and validation of analytical methods for the species-specific detection of animal proteins in animal feed has been indicated in the TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies) Roadmap (European Commission. The TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy) roadmap. URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biosafety/bse/roadmap_en.pdf, 2005) as the main condition for lifting the extended feed ban. Methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) seem to be a promising solution for this aim. The main objective of this study was to determine the applicability of four different real-time PCR methods, developed by three National expert laboratories from the European Union (EU), for the detection and identification of cattle or ruminant species in typical compound feeds, fortified with meat and bone meals (MBM) from different animal species at different concentration levels. The MBM samples utilized in this study have been treated using the sterilization condition mandatory within the European Union (steam pressure sterilization at 133 degrees C, 3 bar, and 20 min), which is an additional challenge to the PCR methods evaluated in this study. The results indicate that the three labs applying their PCR methods were able to detect 0.1% of cattle MBM, either alone or in mixtures with different materials such as fishmeal, which demonstrates the improvement made by this technique, especially when compared with results from former interlaboratory studies.     

Evaluation of PCR-based beef sexing methods

Analysis of the sex of beef meat by fast and reliable molecular methods is an important measure to ensure correct allocation of export refunds, which are considerably higher for male beef meat. Two PCR-based beef sexing methods have been optimized and evaluated. The amelogenin-type method revealed excellent accuracy and robustness, whereas the bovine satellite/Y-chromosome duplex PCR procedure showed more ambiguous results. In addition, an interlaboratory comparison was organized to evaluate currently applied PCR-based sexing methods in European customs laboratories. From a total of 375 samples sent out, only 1 false result was reported (female identified as male). However, differences in the performances of the applied methods became apparent. The collected data contribute to specify technical requirements for a common European beef sexing methodology based on PCR.     

Homogeneity of meats prepared for analysis with a commercial food processor: collaborative study

The food processor was evaluated as an alternative to the food chopper and bowl cutter for preparing meat samples for analysis in AOAC procedure 24.001. Samples of 6 meat types--cooked sausage, pork sausage, canned ham, hamburger, water-added ham, and smoked ham--were distributed to 9 laboratories for preparation using a food processor. The resulting 54 samples were sent to a USDA-accredited laboratory for analysis in triplicate for moisture, protein, and fat. Standard deviations and their 95% confidence intervals calculated for the analytical results were compared with USDA Performance Standards. With few exceptions, the upper limits were lower than the Performance Standards and for the exceptions, the intervals included the Performance Standards. By these criteria, the food processor is as effective in preparing homogeneous samples as the preparation procedures used to set the Performance Standards. Collaborators found the processor faster to use and easier to clean than the food chopper. Use of the food processor has received interim approval as an alternative to the food chopper or bowl cutter in AOAC procedure 24.001 for preparing meat samples for analysis.     

基于气流与多点激光技术的牛肉新鲜度检测装置研发

为了提高气流-激光技术在冷鲜肉品质检测方面的预测性能,该研究根据牛肉黏弹性与其品质的相关性,基于气流与多点激光技术研发了牛肉新鲜度检测装置。该装置硬件系统主要包括气流控制模块、位移信息采集模块、载物台升降模块和气室。基于该检测装置获取不同新鲜度牛肉样本的黏弹性信息,采用S-G卷积平滑（Savitzky-Golay smooth, S-G）、一阶导数处理（First derivative, FD）、一阶导数处理结合S-G卷积平滑（Savitzky-Golay smoothing after the first derivative pre-processing, FD+S-G）对样品黏弹性信息进行预处理,并测定牛肉新鲜度指标挥发性盐基总氮（Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen, TVB-N）含量, 建立了牛肉TVB-N含量的较佳预测模型。模型验证集的相关系数与均方根误差分别为0.859和1.337 mg/100 g。基于QT应用程序开发框架设计完成了检测装置控制软件,并将预测模型植入软件内部,实现了该检测装置的一键式操作。为验证检测装置稳定性进行外部验证试验,结果表明该检测装置预测值与国标测量参考值间相关系数为0.887,均方根误差为1.385 mg/100 g。该检测装置基于黏弹性原理实现了牛肉新鲜度的无损检测,预测性能较好,可以为肉品新鲜度检测提供参考。     

DNA-based identification of spices: DNA isolation, whole genome amplification, and polymerase chain reaction

Usually spices are identified morphologically using simple methods like magnifying glasses or microscopic instruments. On the other hand, molecular biological methods like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enable an accurate and specific detection also in complex matrices. Generally, the origins of spices are plants with diverse genetic backgrounds and relationships. The processing methods used for the production of spices are complex and individual. Consequently, the development of a reliable DNA-based method for spice analysis is a challenging intention. However, once established, this method will be easily adapted to less difficult food matrices. In the current study, several alternative methods for the isolation of DNA from spices have been developed and evaluated in detail with regard to (i) its purity (photometric), (ii) yield (fluorimetric methods), and (iii) its amplifiability (PCR). Whole genome amplification methods were used to preamplify isolates to improve the ratio between amplifiable DNA and inhibiting substances. Specific primer sets were designed, and the PCR conditions were optimized to detect 18 spices selectively. Assays of self-made spice mixtures were performed to proof the applicability of the developed methods.     

Pea detection in food and feed samples by a real-time PCR method based on a specific legumin gene that allows diversity analysis

Real-time polymerase chain reaction is currently being used for the identification and quantification of plant and animal species as well as microorganisms in food or feed samples based on the amplification of specific sequences of low copy genes. We report here the development of a new real-time PCR method for the detection and quantification of the pea (Pisum sativum) based on the amplification of a specific region of the legS gene. The specificity was evaluated in a wide range of plant species (51 varieties of Pisum sp., and 32 other plant species and varieties taxonomically related or nonrelated). The method allows the detection and quantification of as low as 21.6 pg of DNA, which corresponds to 5 haploid genome copies. The system has been shown to be sensitive, reproducible and 100% specific for the rapid detection and quantification of pea DNA in processed food and feed samples, being therefore suitable for high-throughput analysis.     

Evaluation of post-polymerase chain reaction melting temperature analysis for meat species identification in mixed DNA samples

Real-time uniplex and duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays with a SYBR Green I post-PCR melting curve analysis were evaluated for the identification and quantification of bovine, porcine, horse, and wallaroo DNA in food products. Quantitative values were derived from threshold-cycle (C(t)) data obtained from serial dilutions of purified DNA. The limits of detection in uniplex reactions were 0.04 pg for porcine and wallaroo DNA and 0.4 pg for cattle and horse DNA. Species specificity of the PCR products was tested by the identification of peaks in DNA melting curves, measured as the decrease of SYBR Green I fluorescence at the dissociation temperature. The peaks could be distinguished above the background even at the lowest amount of template DNA detected by the C(t) method. The system was also tested in duplex reactions, by use of either single-species DNA or DNA admixtures containing different shares of two species. The minimum proportions of each DNA species allowing the resolution of T(m) peaks in the duplex reactions were 5% (cattle or wallaroo) in cattle/wallaroo mixtures, 5% porcine and 1% horse in porcine/horse mixtures, 60% porcine and 1% wallaroo in porcine/wallaroo mixtures, and 1% cattle and 5% horse in cattle/horse mixtures. A loss in the sensitivity of the method was observed for some DNA combinations in the duplex assay. In contrast, the results obtained from SYBR Green I uniplex and duplex reactions with single-species DNA were largely comparable to those obtained previously with species-specific TaqMan probes, showing the suitability of that simpler experimental approach for large-scale analytical applications.     

Development of USDA-FSIS method for isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from raw meat and poultry

A method was developed specifically to detect naturally occurring Listeria monocytogenes in meat because the traditional cold enrichment procedure was extremely slow and other procedures were ineffective. This method could identify beta-hemolytic Listeria colonies in 3-4 days. The use of a 2-stage enrichment, highly selective LPM agar, and a thin-layer horse blood agar plate for the detection of beta-hemolytic Listeria isolates are the important steps of this method. L. monocytogenes was recovered from 20 of 41 samples of frozen ground beef, 12 of 23 samples of pork sausage, and 7 of 22 samples of poultry. These results indicate that L. monocytogenes is common in raw meat and that this method is effective for its recovery.     

Liquid chromatographic identification of meats

Raw beef, pork, veal, lamb, chicken, turkey, and duck have been identified with a liquid chromatographic (LC) method. Meat samples are blended in water, and soluble proteins in the aqueous blends are separated by the LC method. Meat cuts and parts from same species had similar chromatographic profiles and differed only quantitatively. However, meat cuts or parts from different species resulted in different chromatographic profiles. The qualitative and quantitative chromatographic differences among meat species were used for their identification. The LC method applies only to fresh and frozen meats. It is simple, rapid, and reliable, and can be used for quantitative detection of meat species in unheated meat blends.     

Comparative analysis of meat samples prepared with food chopper and bowl cutter

Analyses of meat samples after preparation with either a bowl cutter or by the official procedure with a food chopper were compared for homogeneity of comminution and for differences in fat, moisture, and protein content. Cutting time in the bowl cutter was limited to minimize temperature rise in samples. Beef chuck, pork shoulder, and beef shank, cheek, and tongue were used in the study. Variances of replicate analysis data for the 5 meat types were pooled for either cutter or chopper treatment and for each analyzed component. Sample portions cut and mixed by using the bowl cutter were more homogeneous than those ground with a food chopper. Comparative accuracy was indicated by fat and moisture means: 5 were in good agreement and 5 differed significantly; 3 of 5 paired protein means differed significantly but were within 0.3% protein. Results on precision and accuracy as well as the simplicity and convenience of the bowl cutter procedure favor its use as an alternative to a food chopper for preparing meat samples for analysis.     

牛支原体的环介导等温扩增快速检测技术研究

牛支原体(Mycoplasma bovis是感染牛的一种重要的致病性病原体.本研究利用环介导等温扩增(loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP)技术建立了牛支原体的快速检测方法.该方法以牛支原体保守性基因uvrC为靶序列设计了5条特异引物,在58℃等温条件下,60 min即可完成反应.LAMP方法能检测出20 pg牛支原体DNA,较PCR方法高100倍,用牛鼻支原体(M.bovirhinis)、无乳支原体(M.agalactiae)、精氨酸支原体(M.ariginini)、牛副流感病毒(BPIV)、牛腺病毒(BADV)、牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒(IBRV)作特异性检测,两种方法均有很高的特异性.本研究还将荧光显色剂钙黄绿素(calcein)和Mn2+用于LAMP反应结果的可视化检测.临床鼻拭子样品煮沸后,可直接进行等温扩增,省去了DNA提取步骤.在对167个临床鼻拭子样本的检测中,LAMP方法检测结果阳性率(26.95％)高于PCR方法检测出阳性率(19.16％),这证明本研究所建立的方法,与PCR法比较更适于临床样品的检测.研究结果表明,LAMP方法具有操作简便、快速、高效、敏感、特异、经济等特点,适于基层实验室监测的广泛使用.     

Differential detection of shrimp and crab for food labeling using polymerase chain reaction

Shrimp and crab are well-known as allergenic ingredients. According to Japanese food allergy labeling regulations, shrimp species (including prawns, crayfishes, and lobsters) and crab species must be differentially declared when ≥10 ppm (total protein) of an allergenic ingredient is present. However, the commercial ELISA tests for the detection of crustacean proteins cannot differentiate between shrimp and crab. Therefore, two methods were developed to discriminate shrimp and crab: a shrimp-PCR method with postamplification digestion and a crab-PCR method that specifically amplifies a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. The sensitivity and specificity of both PCR methods were verified by experiments using DNA extracted from 15 shrimp species, 13 crab species, krill, mysid, mantis shrimp, other food samples (cephalopod, shellfish, and fish), incurred foods, and commercial food products. Both PCR methods could detect 5 pg of DNA extracted from target species and 50 ng of genomic DNA extracted from incurred foods containing 10 ppm (μg/g) total protein of shrimp or crab. The two PCR methods were considered to be specific enough to separately detect species belonging to shrimp and crab. Although false-positive and false-negative results were obtained from some nontarget crustacean species, the proposed PCR methods, when used in conjunction with ELISA tests, would be a useful tool for confirmation of the validity of food allergy labeling and management of processed food safety for allergic patients.     

狐狸肉源性成分快速检测方法的建立

为了规范食品安全标识,防止非食用性的狐狸肉添加到肉品中导致伦理、宗教等敏感问题,迫切需要建立狐狸肉源性成分鉴定方法。本研究以狐狸、牛、羊、猪、鸭、驴和鼠肉以及模拟掺假样本为研究对象,根据狐狸线粒体基因序列设计特异性交叉引物组合,Bst DNA聚合酶反应体系经63℃恒温扩增60 min,扩增产物经电泳检测和一次性核酸试纸条检测,显示结果一致,建立了交叉引物等温扩增技术与核酸试纸条检测结合的快速检测狐狸源性成分的方法。本研究建立的狐狸肉源性成分特异性的等温扩增体系,对单一狐狸源性DNA成分的灵敏度为10 ng·μL^-1,对狐狸肉与羊肉混合物中狐狸肉成分的检出比例为1%,可为肉制品市场现场检测提供简便、经济、快速有效的技术支持。     

A rapeseed-specific gene, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, can be used as a reference for qualitative and real-time quantitative PCR detection of transgenes from mixed food samples

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are very useful techniques for the detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food samples. These methods rely on the amplification of transgenic sequences and quantification of the transgenic DNA by comparison to an amplified reference gene. Reported here is the development of specific primers for the rapeseed (Brassica napus) BnACCg8 gene and PCR cycling conditions suitable for the use of this sequence as an endogenous reference gene in both qualitative and quantitative PCR assays. Both methods were assayed with 20 different rapeseed varieties, and identical amplification products were obtained with all of them. No amplification products were observed when DNA samples from other Brassica species, Arabidopsis thaliana, maize, and soybean were used as templates, which demonstrates that this system is specific for rapeseed. In real-time quantitative PCR analysis, the detection limit was as low as 1.25 pg of DNA, which indicates that this method is suitable for use in processed food samples which contain very low copies of target DNA.