A new real-time PCR method for rapid and specific detection of ling (Molva molva).
Seafood fraud - often involving substitution of one species by another - has attracted much attention as it is prevalent worldwide. Whilst DNA analysis has helped to combat this type of fraud some of the methods currently in use are time-consuming and require sophisticated equipment or highly-trained personnel. This work describes the development of a new, real-time PCR TaqMan assay for the detection of ling (Molva molva) in seafood products. For this purpose, specific primers and a minor groove binding (MGB) TaqMan probe were designed to amplify the 81bp region on the cyt b gene. Efficiency, specificity and cross-reactivity assays showed statistically significant differences between the average Ct value obtained for Molva molva DNA (19.45±0.65) and the average Ct for non-target species DNA (38.3±2.8), even with closely related species such as Molva dypterygia (34.9±0.09). The proposed methodology has been validated with 31 commercial samples.
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, E-36208 Vigo, Spain. Electronic address: ledicia.t@gmail.com.
Ledicia
L
Taboada
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, E-36208 Vigo, Spain. Electronic address: asanchez@iim.csic.es.
Ana
A
Sánchez
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, E-36208 Vigo, Spain. Electronic address: carmen@iim.csic.es.
Carmen G
CG
Sotelo
D000818:Animals; D048388:Gadiformes / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis*
Fraud; Ling; Molva molva; Real-time PCR; Seafood authentication