title: Quantitative PCR method for evaluating freshness of whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa).
abstract: We have developed a method for rapid quantification of fish spoilage bacteria based on quantitative PCR with degenerated oligonucleotides that hybridize on the torA gene coding for trimethylamine N-oxide reductase, one of the major bacterial enzymes in fish spoilage. To show the utility of this gene, we used a regular PCR with DNA extracts from whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) stored in ice. Quantitative PCR showed that the number of copies of the torA gene, i.e., the number of spoilage bacteria, increases with length of storage. This approach can therefore be used to evaluate freshness for the two fish species studied (whiting and plaice).
authors.affiliation: Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA), Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherches sur les Produits de la Pêche, Boulevard Bassin Napoléon, France. g.duflos@afssa.fr
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duflos
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Theraulaz
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mejean
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005432:Flounder / Q000378:metabolism*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D048388:Gadiformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating; C023186:trimethylamine dehydrogenase; C431671:tertiary amine N-oxide reductase