Real-time PCR High-resolution Melting Analysis for the Species Identification of Meat Products: Focusing on Food Safety and Detection of Meat Adulterations

Background: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis are currently considered as reliable techniques for the species identification of meat-based products and widely used to detect meat adulteration. Objectives: To examine the validity of real-time PCR and HRM analysis to identify meat species in meat-based products. Methods: Meat samples from five species (i.e., cattle, sheep, chicken, turkey, and wild pig) were purchased. Minced meat from the animal species of interest was prepared at the purities of 10%, and 20% and also were prepared as single and mixtures of two species. For molecular assessments, DNA samples were extracted from all the meat samples and subjected to real-time PCR by amplifying a mitochondrial cytochrome b specific for each species. Results: All the meat species studied in this research were successfully detected in the mixed meat samples when separately examined by real-time PCR. High-resolution melting analysis showed that all the meat species of interest were efficiently distinguished when examined simultaneously. Conclusions: The data presented here shows that the real-time PCR and HRM analysis are reliable methods for the identification of meat species used in meat products.