Use of DNA Barcoding Combined with PCR-SFLP to Authenticate Species in Bison Meat Products

Abstract

American bison (Bison bison) meat is susceptible to species mislabeling due to its high value and similar appearance to meat from domestic cattle (Bos taurus). DNA barcoding is commonly used to identify animal species. However, as a result of the historical hybridization of American bison and domestic cattle, additional genetic testing is required for species confirmation. The objective of this study was to perform a market survey of bison meat products and verify the species using DNA barcoding combined with polymerase chain reaction-satellite fragment length polymorphism (PCR-SFLP). Bison products (n = 45) were purchased from a variety of retailers. Samples that were positive for domestic cattle with DNA barcoding were further analyzed with PCR-SFLP. DNA barcoding identified bison in 41 products, red deer (Cervus elaphus) in one product, and domestic cattle in three products. PCR-SFLP confirmed the identification of domestic cattle in two samples, while the third sample was identified as bison with ancestral cattle DNA. Overall, mislabeling was detected in 3 of the 45 samples (6.7%). This study revealed that additional DNA testing of species that have undergone historical hybridization provides improved identification results compared to DNA barcoding alone.

A systematic review of DNA‐based methods in authentication of game and less common meat species

“…(2018), and Scales et al. (2021) applied DNA barcoding techniques to screen various game meat products (burger patties, ground beef, hot dogs, sausages) purchased from stores, retail outlets, and online vendors. The general working principle used by this technique involves amplification of the ∼650‐bp fragment of the mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI).…”

“…He et al (2018) confirmed the cheapness and simplicity of the restriction fragment length assay in their work authenticating pigeon and quail meat products. PCR-SFLP (satellite fragment length polymorphism), another variant of PCR-RFLP, was used in a study that confirmed the presence of other species in bison meat products (Scales et al, 2021). This method was used to further increase the specificity of the DNA barcoding result that identified three samples of 45 tested products as domestic cattle.…”

“…PCR sequencing and DNA barcoding PCR sequencing and DNA barcoding are a molecular system of meat authentication that is particularly well suited for wild meat products whose biological origin is unknown. The authors (Dell et al, 2021;Kane & Hellberg, 2016;Naaum et al, 2018;Scales et al, 2021;Schilling et al, 2020) who applied these methods to verify game meat obtained their samples from hunters, local bushmeat vendors, grocery stores, and online stores. The product sequencing and barcoding techniques are similar, but the main difference is the target gene amplified.…”

“…The means used in the works studied were morphological verification, DNA sequencing, and acquisition of authentic samples from government/educational institutions. However, some studies validated their acquired samples with the research (Dell et al., 2021; Kane & Hellberg, 2016; Scales et al., 2021; Schilling et al., 2020).…”