The development of genus-specific and species-specific real-time PCR assays for the authentication of Patagonian toothfish and Antarctic toothfish in commercial seafood products.

BACKGROUND:The substitution or mislabeling of toothfish is an issue of significant concern for seafood authorities; it also reduces the effectiveness of marine conservation and management programs for its over-exploitation and illegal trafficking, boosting the need for identification methods. RESULTS:Two species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the identification of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) and a genus-specific real-time PCR assay for Dissostichus spp. identification were developed based on fragments of the 16S rRNA and COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) genes. These methods were confirmed to be rapid, simple, and sensitive (absolute sensitivity of 0.0002 ng μL-1 and relative sensitivity of 0.1 g kg-1 with good specificity). These methods can be applied to processed and commercial fish products. CONCLUSIONS:These approaches can be beneficial for protecting both consumers and producers from economic fraud and might also help protect toothfish from over-exploitation as well as combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fisheries. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.