In recent years, the risk of seafood adulteration has increased dramatically worldwide. The two main concerns regarding legal fishing regulations are the sustainability of resources (natural/artificial) and the protection of consumer health and rights. The aim of this research was to use the DNA barcoding technique to detect potential cases of seafood mislabelling and fraud in processed products sold on the Turkish market, and to verify whether the information consumers receive from food labels is accurate. Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 40 frozen fish samples, and a fragment of approximately 650 bp encoding Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified and sequenced from each DNA sample. With 98-100% nucleotide identity and 99-100% coverage in the GenBank database, all samples were correctly identified to species level. Of the 40 samples examined, eight were found to be misidentified. The results of this study revealed a worrying lack of standardisation in the packaging and labelling of processed and frozen seafood products sold in T & uuml;rkiye, highlighting the need for action and regulation against seafood fraud.
Cytochrome oxidase I DNA barcoding for species authentication in Turkish seafood products
Pappalardo A. M.;Calogero G. S.;Mancuso M.;Manganaro G.;Ferrito V.
2025-01-01
Abstract
In recent years, the risk of seafood adulteration has increased dramatically worldwide. The two main concerns regarding legal fishing regulations are the sustainability of resources (natural/artificial) and the protection of consumer health and rights. The aim of this research was to use the DNA barcoding technique to detect potential cases of seafood mislabelling and fraud in processed products sold on the Turkish market, and to verify whether the information consumers receive from food labels is accurate. Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 40 frozen fish samples, and a fragment of approximately 650 bp encoding Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified and sequenced from each DNA sample. With 98-100% nucleotide identity and 99-100% coverage in the GenBank database, all samples were correctly identified to species level. Of the 40 samples examined, eight were found to be misidentified. The results of this study revealed a worrying lack of standardisation in the packaging and labelling of processed and frozen seafood products sold in T & uuml;rkiye, highlighting the need for action and regulation against seafood fraud.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
