Meat Traceability Research Articles

Determination of the animal origin of meat and gelatin by MALDI-TOF-MS

Recent scandals in the agro-food industry highlight the necessity of increasing meat and food traceability to determine animal origin. This article presents two matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) methods that do not require complicated sample preparation. The first method concerns the determination of the origin of meat (pork, beef, horse, veal and chicken) from raw and processed meat used in culinary preparations. Samples were prepared in order to extract proteins, then analyzed with a linear MALDI-TOF-MS system. Mass spectra were computed by cluster analysis using Bruker Biotyper software. Samples representing different meat origins were efficiently separated into distinct mass spectra clusters. The second method concerns the determination of the origin of gelatin (pork or beef) in food preparations and galenic formulations. Here, gelatin was digested into peptides, themselves analyzed using a reflectron MALDI-TOF-MS system. Mass spectra enabled us to detect and distinguish pork from bovine gelatin, based on specific peak patterns. We were able to detect down to 1% of gelatin in spiked candies and detect down to 20% of pork gelatin in beef gelatin. Both techniques have potential for the systematic and routine traceability of meat and collagen.

High-resolution melting analysis: a promising molecular method for meat traceability

To find a promising molecular method for meat traceability, three methods of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection: RFLP-PCR analysis, high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis, and TaqMan probe analysis, have been compared in terms of accuracy, ease of use, throughput capability, and cost. We genotyped ten pork DNA samples across three SNPs. The results showed that the HRM genotyping method was the most accurate and easiest to use with the lowest cost, while TaqMan probe analysis provided similar results, but its cost was much higher.

Research of Fresh Meat Quality Tracing Technology and Traceability System Based on RFID

The principles, characteristics and advantages of RFID technology and the development are briefly discussed. Considering the features production, processing and circulation of fresh meat, a safety traceability system is designed based on RFID technology.

Vision-based method for tracking meat cuts in slaughterhouses

Meat traceability is important for linking process and quality parameters from the individual meat cuts back to the production data from the farmer that produced the animal. Current tracking systems rely on physical tagging, which is too intrusive for individual meat cuts in a slaughterhouse environment. In this article, we demonstrate a computer vision system for recognizing meat cuts at different points along a slaughterhouse production line. More specifically, we show that 211 pig loins can be identified correctly between two photo sessions. The pig loins undergo various perturbation scenarios (hanging, rough treatment and incorrect trimming) and our method is able to handle these perturbations gracefully. This study shows that the suggested vision-based approach to tracking is a promising alternative to the more intrusive methods currently available.

Communicating Food Safety, Authenticity and Consumer Choice. Field Experiences

The paper reviews patented and non-patented technologies, methods and solutions in the area of food traceability. It pays special attention to the communication of food safety, authenticity and consumer choice. Twenty eight recent patents are reviewed in the areas of (secure) identification, product freshness indicators, meat traceability, (secure) transport of information along the supply chain, country/region/place of origin, automated authentication, supply chain management systems, consumer interaction systems. In addition, solutions and pilot projects are described in the areas of Halal traceability, traceability of bird's nests, cold chain management, general food traceability and other areas.

Editorial: [Hot Topic: Technologies in Meat Traceability, Authenticity and Safety

Editorial: [Hot Topic: Technologies in Meat Traceability, Authenticity and Safety

A false single nucleotide polymorphism generated by gene duplication compromises meat traceability

Controlling meat traceability using SNPs is an effective method of ensuring food safety. We have analyzed several SNPs to create a panel for bovine genetic identification and traceability studies. One of these was the transversion g.329C>T (Genbank accession no. AJ496781) on the cytochrome P450 17A1 gene, which has been included in previously published panels. Using minisequencing reactions, we have tested 701 samples belonging to eight Spanish cattle breeds. Surprisingly, an excess of heterozygotes was detected, implying an extreme departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.001). By alignment analysis and sequencing, we detected that the g.329C>T SNP is a false positive polymorphism, which allows us to explain the inflated heterozygotic value. We recommend that this ambiguous SNP, as well as other polymorphisms located in this region, should not be used in identification, traceability or disease association studies. Annotation of these false SNPs should improve association studies and avoid misinterpretations.

The yield of dna in thermal terated deer meat

Residuals of DNA are one of the most important factors for detection, traceability and reverse authentication of deer meat. In this project we isolated DNA from deer processed meat and analysed by electrophoresis. Goal of the study was compute ratio between raw meat and several heat processed deer meat. Samples were prepared by five heat treatment techniques (pan roasted with temperature 180-240°C, fried with 156°C, braised with temperature 100-150°C, boiled in 100.2°C water and autoclaved in different time intervals). The highest amount of residual DNA 1927ng was obtained with two hours boiled sample. The lowest value 89.89ng was obtained with one hour braised sample. In technological adjustments highest amount of DNA and 1927ng, so the total yield of 192.7ng.-l was observed in the sample we cooked for two hours at boiling temperature.

Pig ham genetic traceability

Knowing meat product origin is an important factor to assure consumer safety. A definitive method to solve this question is to identify, through molecular genetics analysis, a sample collected from the alive animal and a sample collected on the processed product. The only way to assure the origin of meat and meat products is by the proved identity of both genotypes for each different analyzed loci. Identity test was utilized to achieve individual traceability of meat for cattle......

Molecular traceability of beef from synthetic Mexican bovine breeds

Traceability ensures a link between carcass, quarters or cuts of beef and the individual animal or the group of animals from which they are derived. Meat traceability is an essential tool for successful identification and recall of contaminated products from the market during a food crisis. Meat traceability is also extremely important for protection and value enhancement of good-quality brands. Molecular meat traceability would allow verification of conventional methods used for beef tracing in synthetic Mexican bovine breeds. We evaluated a set of 11 microsatellites for their ability to identify animals belonging to these synthetic breeds, Brangus and Charolais/Brahman (78 animals). Seven microsatellite markers allowed sample discrimination with a match probability, defined as the probability of finding two individuals sharing by chance the same genotypic profile, of 10(-8). The practical application of the marker set was evaluated by testing eight samples from carcasses and pieces of meat at the slaughterhouse and at the point of sale. The DNA profiles of the two samples obtained at these two different points in the production-commercialization chain always proved that they came from the same animal.

Analysis of 11 tetrameric STRs in wild boars for forensic purposes

STR profiling of animal species has a wide range of applications, including forensic identification, wildlife preservation, veterinary public health protection and food safety. We tested the efficacy of a multiplex PCR-based assay including 11 porcine-specific tetrameric STRs in a population sample of wild boars ( n = 142) originating from Piedmont (North West Italy). Multiple deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were observed, mostly due to a reduction in observed heterozygosity indicative of a high degree of inbreeding. A value of θ of 0.046 and an inbreeding coefficient of 0.089 were estimated. Combined power of discrimination and probability of exclusion values for the STR panel were 0.9999999999996 and 0.99989. In order to test the suitability of the method for meat traceability purposes, a domestic pig reference sample ( n = 412), consisting of commercial lines commonly used in the meat production process, was also typed. A Bayesian cluster analysis carried out using the observed genotypes, showed a percentage of correct subspecies assignment of individual samples of 0.974 for wild boars and 0.991 for pigs, thus demonstrating the usefulness of the multiplex STR-typing system for discrimination purposes.

Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of contaminants in emerging food safety issues and food traceability

This review presents an overview of the applicability of CE in the analysis of chemical and biological contaminants involved in emerging food safety issues. Additionally, CE-based genetic analyzers' usefulness as a unique tool in food traceability verification systems was presented. First, analytical approaches for the determination of melamine and specific food allergens in different foods were discussed. Second, natural toxin analysis by CE was updated from the last review reported in 2008. Finally, the analysis of prion proteins associated with the "mad cow" crises and the application of CE-based genetic analyzers for meat traceability were summarized.

Applying evolutionary prototyping model for eliciting system requirement of meat traceability at agribusiness level

Traceability has become an effective method of ensuring food safety and connecting stakeholders in the food chain. There is an increasing growth trend in developing IT-based traceability system in recent years. But implementing hastily traceability system is likely to fail to achieve its goal if the system requirement has not been well-defined according to the changing business environment. This paper adopted an evolutionary prototyping model and used longitudinal case study to elicit the traceability system requirement at the level of agribusiness. The results show that a traceability system can support not only information tracking at operational level, but also diagnostic analysis and strategic decision making at managerial level, Hence, system requirements can be categorized as fundamental, decisive and strategic levels. The evolutionary prototyping model can improve the effectiveness of requirement elicitation.

Effect of consanguinity on Argentinean Angus beef DNA traceability

Since the 1990s several authors have envisaged the use of DNA to certify meat origin. Two major parameters must be assessed before a DNA based traceability protocol can be implemented in the food chain: (i) the information content of a DNA marker set in a specific livestock breed or group of breeds; (ii) the minimum number of DNA markers needed to obtain a statistically acceptable match probability. The objective of the present work was to establish the effect of different levels of inbreeding in the matching efficiency, and the minimum number of microsatellite markers needed, in a DNA based meat traceability program, starting from an 11-microsatellite marker panel. Samples were obtained from beef production farms in South America, where animals are typically bred under pasture-based extensive conditions. Three groups of animals with different consanguinity rates were sampled. Exclusion power (Q) was higher than 0.999998 and match probability lower than 3.01E-08, for the whole set of markers within each group. Both values were affected by consanguinity. To reach a two mismatch criteria exclusion power (Q(2)) of 99.99, six markers were needed in unrelated animals whereas seven markers were needed in related animals. To reach Q(2)=99.9999, 8 and 10 microsatellite markers, respectively, were needed. In general, one or two more microsatellite markers were needed to identify consanguineous animals. This study proved the DNA marker set used to be suitable for the identification of the meat from all slaughtered animals in Argentina, per week, month, and year.

Analysis of Several Productive Development Policies in Uruguay

This paper reviews and assesses some of the Productive Development Policies currently being implemented in Uruguay. We have selected three horizontal and three vertical policies and consider them in light of the market and public failures they attempt to address and minimize. Horizontal policies comprise Innovation, Industrial Promotion and Directives for Industrial and Technological Development. Vertical policies include the analysis of Forestry Law, Meat Traceability and the Sustainable Production Project in the agricultural sector. Ke ywords: development policy, agricultural production, industrial development, Uruguay

Impact of reader antenna polarisation, distance, inlay design, conveyor speed, tag location and orientation on the coupling of UHF RFID as applied to modified atmosphere packaged meat

Undetected RFID tags make the potential benefits of RFID unattainable. This study aimed to determine the most significant factors that affect RFID and particularly its application to the traceability of meat. Experimental parameters included five RFID tag inlays, two levels of conveyor speeds, five variations of beef sample and an empty container, 12 tags per test sample, three distances and two types of reader antenna polarisations. Tag detection rates were determined in three replicates per combination of test parameters. A GLM ANOVA was carried out on tag detection rate. In decreasing order of significance in terms of the effect on mean tag detection rate were distance, sample, inlay design, conveyor speed and reader antenna polarisation. Interaction of these factors also proved significant, in decreasing order of importance were reader antenna * inlay, sample type * distance, inlay * distance, sample type * inlay, sample type * reader antenna, distance * speed, sample type * speed and finally sample type * distance * speed. Linearly polarised antenna preformed better overall at detecting tags, with 63% mean detection rate compared with circularly polarised antenna with 57% mean detection rate. Varying the tag inlay resulted in mean detection rates of between 62% and 88%. Ideal transponder location on package was reader antenna polarisation dependent, but generally tags facing reader antennas exhibited better detection rate. Results revealed that the under side of the package was the most un-detectable transponder location, considering the placement of reader antennas on top, left and right sides of the sample. Conveyor speed also proved significant with a variation from 0.5 to 1.0 m/s resulting in an average detection rate ranging from 62% to 57%, respectively. Circularly polarised antennas are believed to perform better in cases of random tag orientation on products. It can be concluded that RFID systems implementation in the meat supply chain requires a holistic approach where distances, polarisations, inlay type, meat composition and conveyor speed need to be considered.

Management of DNA Information Bank Using Typifix Method for Microsatellite Analysis and Snp Assays in Order to Ensure Safety Foods By Animal Filiations and Traceability for Farm Animal Biodiversity Under the New Circumstances of the Eco-Economy Paradigm

Molecular biology tests based on identification, amplification and characterization of nucleic acid revolutionized the pathology diagnostic, conservation of indigene animal genetic resources, gene assisted selection and food traceability from farm-to-fork and from fork-to-farm. The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) of each animal is different (with the exceptions of monozygotic twins and clones). Since the genome of each animal contains approximately three billion DNA units, the range for variation among the DNA sequences of animals is enormous, consequently DNA markers analysis allows assuring a traceability of 100% in the meat industry. A methodology using 17 ISAG (International Society for Animal Genetics) DNA microsatellite markers is proposed for meat traceability. The original methods - patented by Prof.Brem and his Agrobiogen team - that were used in Romania to reveal DNA polymorphism are described as their applicability in species identification and meat traceability. The objective it was analysis the DNA profile of pig with 10 microsatellite markers for meat identity control, of sheep for scrapie diagnostic and cattle for performants selection .

The Traceability of Pork Meat

The current paper is part of a complex study: “Designing an information system for monitoring the traceability of the pig meat production”. In the European Union (EU) product safety and product quality represent basic conditions for international trade. In order to fulfill those requirements, all actors across the supply chain must implement a system capable to tracking and tracing a particular unit located within the supply chain; this goal could be achieved implementing an association of a flow of information with the physical flow of goods. In the EU were developed and implemented some standards and protocols for Food Quality Assurance Schemes (QAS) elaborated by various groups and organizations .

Characterization of a SNPs panel for meat traceability in six cattle breeds

Development of DNA technologies makes today possible implementation of conventional beef traceability systems with molecular methods. In the recent past, microsatellites have been the most used marker for individual assignment, however single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is now replacing them. With the aim to provide a set of SNPs useful for bovine meat traceability we have tested 63 SNPs for the ability to identify single individuals in six European cattle breeds. Eighteen highly informative SNPs located in different genes, have been selected. By using this panel of SNPs the probability that one individual is incorrectly assigned ranges from 1.39 to 0.07 out of 1 million, depending on the breed.

Genetic traceability of meat using microsatellite markers

Traceability systems have become necessary, especially for beef products, to protect consumers' health. Aims of this study were to validate and to test a set of 12 microsatellite (STR) markers for the assessment of a genetic traceability system in six cattle breeds. The probability to find, by chance, two individuals sharing the same profile at the studied loci, was computed considering different number of STR, pooling the alleles in each breed, in the total population and in the dairy and beef population separately. Best results were then obtained considering match probabilities per breed. In this study, genotyping the five most polymorphic loci, the probability of finding two identical animals was approximately five in one million. Match probability values increased when the pooled marker sets were used, but were still satisfactory; moreover, use of the pooled marker sets will reduce the cost of analyses.