The development of genus‐specific and species‐specific real‐time PCR assays for the authentication of Patagonian toothfish and Antarctic toothfish in commercial seafood products

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The substitution or mislabeling of toothfish is an issue of significant concern for seafood authorities; it also reduces the effectiveness of marine conservation and management programs for its over-exploitation and illegal trafficking, boosting the need for identification methods. RESULTS: Two species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the identification of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) and a genus-specific real-time PCR assay for Dissostichus spp. identification were developed based on fragments of the 16S rRNA and COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) genes. These methods were confirmed to be rapid, simple, and sensitive (absolute sensitivity of 0.0002 ng ∼L −1 and relative sensitivity of 0.1 g kg −1 with good specificity). These methods can be applied to processed and commercial fish products.CONCLUSIONS: These approaches can be beneficial for protecting both consumers and producers from economic fraud and might also help protect toothfish from over-exploitation as well as combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fisheries.

Current State of Milk, Dairy Products, Meat and Meat Products, Eggs, Fish and Fishery Products Authentication and Chemometrics

“…On the other hand, for fish species identification, mtDNA can be used to elucidate the difference in nearly linked taxa and even species, and its aptitude to distinguish the geographical origin of the fish species [142]. According to the literature, for fish species identification, the commonest mitochondrial markers are: the COI (gene for cytochrome-coxidase subunit I) [143,144] and cytb (cytochrome b) [145]. Their incidence is expected in treated fish products based on the very high mtDNA copy number in the cell [146].…”

Enhancing the authenticity of animal by-products: harmonization of DNA extraction methods from novel ingredients

“…Most DNA-based techniques employed for species identification involve the targeted amplification of one or more DNA fragments using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This method is characterized by its rapidity, simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity ( Mafra et al, 2008 ; Doosti et al, 2014 ; Sajali et al, 2018 ; Yao et al, 2022 ).…”