A Fast, Naked-Eye Assay for Varietal Traceability in the Durum Wheat Production Chain.

Pier Paolo Pompa,Giorgio Tumino,Roberta Ghizzoni,Valeria Terzi,Paola Carnevali,Paola Cecere,Caterina Morcia,Giulia Cibecchini

doi:10.3390/foods9111691

Abstract

The development of a colorimetric mono-varietal discriminating assay, aimed at improving traceability and quality control checks of durum wheat products, is described. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified as a reliable marker for wheat varietal discrimination, and a rapid test for easy and clear identification of specific wheat varieties was developed. Notably, an approach based on the loop-mediated isothermal amplification reaction (LAMP) as an SNP discrimination tool, in combination with naked-eye visualization of the results, was designed and optimized. Our assay was proven to be effective in the detection of adulterated food products, including both substitution and mixing with different crop varieties.

Highlights

Food traceability currently has a key role in the agrifood sector, bringing many benefits to both industries and consumers, such as supply chain optimization, improvement in food safety and quality, and an increase in controls and in the consumers’ confidence
We aimed at developing a rapid assay for Aureo varietal discrimination based on a single single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) suitable for point of care (POC) settings
A preliminary genotyping study had the objective of identifying a set of SNPs capable of discriminating Aureo within a panel of 29 wheat varieties

Summary

Introduction

Food traceability currently has a key role in the agrifood sector, bringing many benefits to both industries and consumers, such as supply chain optimization, improvement in food safety and quality, and an increase in controls and in the consumers’ confidence. Mandatory traceability actions are flanked by voluntary ones, characterized by the identification of standards related, for example, to the valorization of traditional food products and local economy development [2] In this framework, the world leader in Italian pasta manufacturing has started a pilot study equipping its products with a digital passport, i.e., a QR code capturing the entire food journey from “field to fork” [3]. The world leader in Italian pasta manufacturing has started a pilot study equipping its products with a digital passport, i.e., a QR code capturing the entire food journey from “field to fork” [3] Such an approach can enhance transparency and safety, and creates a connection between the consumers and the regions where their food was produced.

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