Identification of European Hake species (Merluccius merluccius) using real-time PCR.
A rapid and precise method for identifying European hake (Merluccius merluccius) based on TaqMan technology is presented. The method can be applied to fresh, frozen, and processed fish products to detect the fraudulent or unintentional mislabeling of this species. Specific primers and a minor groove binding (MGB) TaqMan probe were designed for this purpose based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region. Combinations of primers and probe concentrations that gave the lowest Ct value and the highest final fluorescence value were selected to carry out efficiency, specificity, and cross-reactivity assays. The method was successfully tested on 31 commercial hake samples. A Ct value of about 16 was obtained when Merluccius merluccius was present; however, the fluorescence signal was not detected most of the time (Ct value 40) or presented significantly higher Ct values (38.2 +/- 0.96) for the nonhake species.
Sánchez
A
A
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, Vigo 36208, Spain. asanchez@iim.csic.es
Quinteiro
J
J
Rey-Mendez
M
M
Perez-Martín
R I
RI
Sotelo
C G
CG
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005515:Food Labeling; D005607:Fraud / Q000517:prevention & control; D005628:Frozen Foods / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D048388:Gadiformes / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D013045:Species Specificity
D004247:DNA