Identification of commercial meats from Amazonas, Peru using PCR-RFLP of mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene

Abstract The use of analytical methodologies based on DNA (e.g. PCR-RFLP) to determine the authenticity of different types of meat products after the initial labeling is pivotal to avoid fraudulent practices due to the increased rates of meat consumption. Our PCR-RFLP of mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene using restriction enzymes (AluI and ApoI) aimed to confirm the accuracy of the meat species labeling, based on fresh and processed meat collected in central markets along the main cities in the Amazonas Region (Bagua, Bagua Grande, Chachapoyas, Luya, Pedro Ruiz, Rodriguez de Mendoza). Our analyses qualitatively identified and differentiated three commercial species of fresh meat (bovine, porcine, ovine) and also found the substitution of goat by sheep meat. Regarding processed meat, its composition was uncertain and further analyses should be addressed to determine the meat origin. Monitoring using DNA-based analytical methods of meat trade is suggested to determine fraudulent practices, such as species substitution in markets along regions of Peru.

摘要 基于DNA的分析方法（如聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性，PCR-RFLP）可在初始标签标注后，对各类肉制品的真实性进行鉴定，这对规避因肉类消费率攀升引发的欺诈行为至关重要。本研究采用限制性内切酶AluI与ApoI，对线粒体12S rRNA基因（mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene）开展聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析，旨在基于秘鲁亚马孙大区主要城市（巴瓜、大巴瓜、查查波亚斯、卢亚、佩德罗鲁伊斯、罗德里格斯德门多萨）的中心市场采集的新鲜与加工肉制品，验证肉类物种标签的准确性。本研究通过定性分析，鉴定并区分了三类商用新鲜肉类（牛、猪、羊），同时发现存在用绵羊肉替代山羊肉的欺诈行为。针对加工肉制品，其成分尚不明确，需开展进一步分析以确定其肉类来源。建议采用基于DNA的分析方法对肉类贸易开展监测，以排查秘鲁各区域市场中存在的物种替换等欺诈行为。