Sequence analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene to identify meat species

Abstract

In the present study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was used for identification of Cattle (Bos taurus), buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus) and pig (Sus scrofa) species in fresh and processed meat. The DNA was extracted from fresh and processed meat including autoclaved meat and meat emulsion followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of about 497 bp DNA fragments of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Then the amplified PCR fragments were sequenced and analysed to differentiate the species. No adverse effect of ingredients and processing conditions was observed on PCR amplification of DNA extracted from heat-treated meat and meat emulsion. The closely related species such as cattle and buffalo, sheep and goat were differentiated from each other by sequence analysis. Thus, PCR amplification and sequence analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene can be used as a tool for authentic identification of meat species.