Francisco J. Santaclara

Authentication of Anglerfish Species (Lophius spp) by Means of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Forensically Informative Nucleotide Sequencing (FINS) Methodologies

Lophius represents the most important genus of the family Lophiidae from a commercial point of view. The main marketing formats of the species included in this genus are tails and cheeks, making impossible the species identification on the basis of their morphological characters. In the present study, two methods based on the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences [forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS)] were developed to differentiate the seven species contained in the genus Lophius. In both cases, the molecular marker studied was the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI). The RFLP analysis of the PCR products digested with the endonuclease Mbo I generated species-specific restriction profiles, and the phylogenetic analysis showing a neighbor-joining tree with independent nodes was strongly supported for all of the studied species. These methods were applied to 40 commercial samples, allowing us to detect the samples incorrectly labeled. The fraudulent labeling ratio was higher in processed products (68.75%) than whole fish (31.25%). The species subjected to mislabeling were L. budegassa (68.75%), L. vomerinus (18.75%), and L. piscatorius (12.5%). Therefore, both methodologies can be independently used to authenticate the species belonging to the genus Lophius, being useful to check the fulfillment of labeling regulations of seafood products and to verify the correct traceability of commercial trade and the control of fisheries.

Development of a Method for the Genetic Identification of Flatfish Species on the Basis of Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

In the present study a method for genetic identification of flatfish species was developed. The technique is based on DNA sequencing of amplified DNA by PCR and subsequent phylogenetic analysis ( FINS). A phylogenetic tree using the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was constructed and the bootstrap values calculated. The mentioned technique allows the genetic identification of more than 50 flatfish species in fresh, frozen, and precooked products. This analytical system was validated and subsequently applied to 30 commercial samples, obtaining 13 that were incorrectly labeled (43%). Four of the mislabeled samples were whole fish (31%), and nine were fillets (69%). The species with the higher rate of incorrect labeling were Pleuronectes platessa (17%) and Solea solea (10%). Other species incorrectly labeled were Hipoglossus hipoglossus (7%), Reinharditus hippoglossoides, Limanda ferruginea, and Microstomus kitt (3% each species). Therefore, this molecular tool is appropriate to clarify questions related with the correct labeling of commercial products, the traceability of raw materials, and the control of imported flatfish, and also can be applied to questions linked to the control of fisheries.

Development of a method for the genetic identification of commercial bivalve species based on mitochondrial 18S rRNA sequences.

In this study a genetic methodology based on the amplification of an 18S rRNA fragment by PCR and phylogenetic analysis of the obtained DNA sequences was developed. This technique allows the genetic identification of more than 50 bivalve species in fresh, frozen, precooked and canned products. The developed method was applied to 30 commercial samples to check their labeling, showing that 12 samples were incorrectly labeled (40%). Therefore, the proposed methodology is appropriate to study questions related to the correct labeling and traceability of commercial products and the control of imported bivalves and fisheries in order to guarantee the protection of consumers rights and verify the transparency of the extractive and transforming industries.

Validation of a method for the detection of five species, serogroups, biotypes and virulence factors of Vibrio by multiplex PCR in fish and seafood.

In this work a sequential multiplex PCR system was designed and validated for the detection of most frequent foodborne pathogen Vibrio species in fish and seafood (Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio alginoliticus and Vibrio mimicus). The method proposed functions in a hierarchical way, being composed of an end-point multiplex PCR to detect the presence of DNA belonging to the studied species, followed by multiplex PCR and fragment analysis allowing the viability assessment of the detected strains. The final multiplex PCR step of the method may be applied if identification of the serogroup, biotype and/or virulence factor level is necessary. Forty samples of commercial fish and seafood products were used at the method validation stage. Sixty three marine organism samples obtained from various estuarine areas of Spain including shrimps, crabs, bivalve mollusks and fishes were screened for presence of Vibrio species and 2 mussel samples were found positive for V. parahaemolyticus. On the whole, the proposed method is robust and readily adaptable in routine molecular diagnostic laboratories, allowing monitoring and simultaneous detection of all these bacterial pathogens in seafood samples, reducing the expenses and time consumed by other analytical methods.

Validation of end-point and real-time PCR methods for the rapid detection of soy allergen in processed products

This work describes the development and validation of two PCR methods, end-point and real-time PCR, for the detection of soy protein in a wide rage of foodstuffs. These techniques are reliable and sensitive, allowing detection of trace amounts of soybean in processed products. TaqMan real-time PCR was the simpler and more rapid process, with a higher potential for automation and, therefore, currently the most suitable screening method. To verify correct operation of the proposed methodology, ELISA was used for quantitative determination of soy protein. In addition, 35 meat, fish and bakery processed products, which could potentially contain soy but was not declared on the label, were tested for the presence of soy DNA using the proposed methods. The methodologies will be valuable in issues regarding the presence of soy protein in processed products, especially in verifying labelling and security regulations to protect consumers rights.

Development of a multiplex PCR–ELISA method for the genetic authentication of Thunnus species and Katsuwonus pelamis in food products

In the present work a PCR-ELISA technique for the authentication of Thunnus species was developed. This method is composed by four systems that can be used in a hierarchical way allowing the identification of several scombroids species; or each individual system independently. The hierarchical strategy, proposes a first step, to assign one sample to the Thunnus genus. Next, if the result is positive, several tests can be applied to assign the sample to some particular species of the Thunnus genus. In the case that the result is negative (absence of Thunnus species), it is possible to verify if Katsuwonus pelamis is included in the sample. The method even allows the detection of mixtures of these species in relatively low amounts (up to 1%). Finally, this method was applied to 11 commercial samples to verify the labelling status of tuna products in the market, detecting that 18% were mislabelling.

Molecular detection of Xenostrobus securis and Mytillus galloprovincialis larvae in Galician Coast (Spain).

The mussel species Xenostrobus securis from New Zealand was detected in the Spanish coast recently, in the mouth of the Verdugo River into the Vigo Ria. In view of the great importance of the farm mussel sector in this region, the presence of this alien species greatly concerned producers and administration authorities, because of its potential medium- or long-term effects on the autochthonous species, Mytilus galloprovincialis, an important marine resource widely exploited in this location. The goal of this study was to develop a DNA-based technique to identify X. securis and M. galloprovincialis larvae in plankton samples, which would allow monitoring for the presence of X. securis in different points of the Vigo Ria. The techniques used were simplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and fragment analysis. The application of this system to planktonic samples could be an effective means to assess the presence of the alien species, allowing monitoring if its dispersion is increasing, or on the contrary, if its distribution is restricted to the mouth of the Verdugo River, where X. securis was first detected. In addition, the application of this system at different times could be useful to assess the presence of larvae of these two species in the plankton.

Developed of a method for the genetic identification of ling species (Genypterus spp.) in seafood products by FINS methodology

In the present work a method of authentication of Genypterus and their substitute species was developed, by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique followed by phylogenetic analysis (FINS, Forensically Informative Nucleotide Sequencing). The methodology developed allows the identification of all the studied species using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COXI) as molecular marker. Substitutions of the species belonging to Genypterus genera by other species with minor value can take place, since in a lot of seafood products , is not possible the assignation to a particular species based on morphological traits, because it are removed in the transformation process. In this work several methodological strategies were developed and all of them allow the authentication of the studied species in any kind of products, from fresh or frozen fish, to ready-cooked meal. Therefore, the proposed methodology can be used as a routine method to avoid the mislabelling in the marketing of Genypterus species. Also this methodological approximation is suitable to assess the correct seafood traceability of the products elaborated from the mentioned species.

Identification of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua), Ling (Molva molva), and Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) by PCR–ELISA Using Duplex PCR

Species-specific PCR-ELISA assays for the identification of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), and ling (Molva molva) in food products have been developed. The method, comprising a set of primers common to the first two species, a set of primers for M. molva, and a probe for each species, was designed using ND4 and cytochrome b genes as molecular markers. The sensitivity and selectivity were then determined for each assay. These assays were afterward used to analyze DNA extracted from commercial fish products. The presence of the target species was successfully detected in all analyzed samples, demonstrating the applicability of this method to the analysis of food products.

Development of a Real-Time PCR method for the identification of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

A Real Time-PCR method based on TaqMan technology for the identification of Scomber scombrus has been developed. A system of specific primers and a Minor Groove Binding (MGB) TaqMan probe based on sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b region was designed. The method was successfully tested in 81 specimens of S. scombrus and related species and validated in 26 different commercial samples. An average Threshold Cycle (Ct) value of 15.3 was obtained with S. scombrus DNA. With the other species tested fluorescence signal was not detected or Ct was significantly higher (P<0.001). The efficiency of the assay was estimated to be 92.41%, with 100% specificity, and no cross reactivity was detected with any other species. These results reveal that the developed method is a rapid and efficient tool to unequivocally identify S. scombrus and may aid in the prevention of fraud or mislabelling in mackerel products.