Development of a species-specific PCR assay for authentication of Agkistrodon acutus based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene

Multiplex-PCR method application to identify duck blood and its adulterated varieties

This study applied and validated the Multiplex-PCR method to identify the authenticity of duck blood and four common adulterated animal blood varieties. To this end, the genomic DNAs of duck blood and its counterfeit products were extracted using an efficient high-throughput extraction method. Specific primers were designed using the cytochrome b gene. The reaction system and conditions of a multiplex (namely, Five-plex) PCR were optimized, and the proposed methodology was verified, proving its good specificity, repeatability, and sensitivity. The Five-plex PCR system detected nine duck blood samples sold in the local market, revealing the adulteration of duck blood products. The Multiplex-PCR system can accurately and quickly detect adulterated animal blood in duck blood products, effectively finding counterfeits and identifying the authenticity of genuine duck blood products.

Species Identification of Bovine Bone Marrow from Nonbovine Products Using Multiplex PCR Technology

Bovine bone marrow is traditionally regarded as a highly nutritious food that has been widely used as a medicinal and health food for several decades in China. A large number of adulterated and counterfeit bone marrows from pigs and donkeys have been used in place of bovine bone marrow in commercial products, which are almost identical morphologically between species. Therefore, we explored the feasibility of multiplex PCR technology to differentiate bovine bone marrows from different domestic animals. Three pairs of specific primers for bovine, pig, and donkey were designed according to the conserved sequence in mitochondrial cytochrome b. A modified method was used to extract the genomic DNA from common domestic animals’ bone marrows. The optimal reaction conditions for triple PCR were optimized. A three-fold PCR detection assay was successfully established to identify three species of bovine, pig, and donkey. Three primers have good specificity and high sensitivity. Additionally, the assay sensitivity test confirmed that the extracted DNA concentration was the lowest in bovine bone marrow at 10°pg/μL. The assay also showed 100% specificity. Rapid authentication of bovine bone marrow and differentiation from nonbovine products can be achieved using an improved SDS alkali denaturation method and species-specific PCR assay. Both species-specific PCR methods described in this study can be potentially applied for the quality evaluation of functional food and drug resources.