Comparative evaluation of the performance of two commercial kits for the detection of central nervous system tissue in meat

Abstract

The ScheBo Brainostic test, which detects neuron-specific enolase by Western blotting, and the r-Biopharm Ridascreen Risk Material ELISA test, which detects the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein, were evaluated using meats containing spinal cord and brain central nervous system (CNS) tissue from ovine and bovine species. The meats were pork, cooked pork sausage, raw minced lamb and cooked minced lamb. Spiking of the CNS tissue ranged from 0.01 to 5%. No false-positives were observed with either test using the manufacturers’ analytical protocols. The presence or absence of CNS tissue was correctly determined in 20 of 20 samples using the ScheBo Brainostic test and 18 of 20 samples using the Ridascreen tests. When results were placed in categories according to quantity of CNS tissue detected, 19 of 20 samples were classified correctly using the Brainostic test and 14 of 20 samples using the Ridascreen test. Both kits were considered appropriate for reporting the presence of 1% or more CNS tissue in meat products, but the ScheBo Brainostic test was more consistent at detecting the presence of CNS tissues below the 1% level. Overall, the format of the Ridascreen test was technically easier to use, and the data simpler to interpret.