A multiplex PCR assay to detect mislabelling in fish products

ABSTRACT

Fish substitution in fish products is an important issue in fish markets, as it is a widespread practice. An authentication protocol for Rohu, Thaila and Tilapia was developed by multiplex PCR. Three species-specific and one degenerate common forward primer were designed using the Cytb gene of the mitochondrial genome. These primers for Labeo rohita, Labeo catla and Oreochromis niloticus showed the fragment size of 235 bp, 186 bp and 506 bp on the agarose gel, respectively. The primers for L. rohita and L. catla were sensitive to 0.1 ng of DNA template, while for O. niloticus this value was 1 ng of DNA template. A total of 230 commercial samples (160 fried and 70 processed fish products) were screened, where 60% mislabeling in fried and 30% mislabeling in processed fish were found. This multiplex PCR protocol could give useful insights for food inspection and enforcement of regulatory food control.

KEYWORDS:

• Labeo rohita
• Labeo catla
• Oreochromis niloticus
• multiplex PCR
• Cytb
• adulteration

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) Government College University, Lahore for funding this work through the project number (78/ORIC/23).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contributions

SS and MI developed experimental design. K and SAK collected samples and performed experiment. SS and MI did a formal data analysis. SS and K prepared the draft of manuscript. AW reviewed the final draft of the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during the study are included in the manuscript.

Ethical approval

It has been confirmed that the experimental samples of fish species and the collection of fish species were carried out with relevant institutional, national and international guidelines and legislation with appropriate permissions from competent authorities.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) Government College University, Lahore through the project number (78/ORIC/23).