A specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has been developed for the identification of goose (Anser anser), mule duck (Anas platyrhynchos x Cairina moschata), chicken (Gallus gallus), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) in foie gras. A forward common primer was designed on a conserved DNA sequence in the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA), and reverse primers were designed to hybridize on species-specific DNA sequences of each species considered. The different sizes of the species-specific amplicons, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, allowed clear identification of goose, mule duck, chicken, turkey, and swine in foie gras. Analysis of experimental mixtures demonstrated that the detection limit of the assay was approximately 1% for each species analyzed. This genetic marker can be very useful for the accurate identification of these species, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in foie gras.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the species identification of grouper (Epinephelus guaza), wreck fish (Polyprion americanus), and Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fillets. The assay was performed in two different formats, microtiter plates and immunostick tubes, and uses polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits against muscle-soluble proteins of grouper (anti-GSP), wreck fish (anti-WSP), and Nile perch (anti-PSP). The antibodies were made species-specific by blocking them with the heterologous soluble muscle proteins. Immunorecognition of polyclonal antibodies adsorbed to their specific fish samples was made with swine antirabbit immunoglobulins conjugated to the enzyme horseradish peroxidase. Subsequent enzymatic conversion of the substrate allowed unequivocal identification of the species studied.

Identification of fish species adulteration is important for consumer protection and the enforcement of food-labeling laws. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) generated against soluble muscle proteins from grouper (Epinephelus guaza) has been used in two indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) formats (microtiter plates and immunostick tubes) for the rapid authentication of grouper fillets. The 3D12 MAb was produced with the use of the hybridoma technique and tested against several commonly consumed fish species by ELISA. The 3D12 MAb specifically reacted with grouper samples and could be useful for the discrimination of grouper among other, less-valued, fish species sold in the marketplace.

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Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and PCR techniques have been developed for the detection of spoilage yeast species in dairy products. Polyclonal antibodies against live yeast cells (AY) were raised in rabbits by inoculation of a mixture of 10 yeast species frequently associated with dairy products spoilage. AY antibodies were used for the development of two ELISA formats (indirect and double-antibody sandwich ELISA) for the detection of yeast species in milk and yogurt. A PCR assay was also developed for yeast detection in dairy products, using primers designed to amplify a conserved 250-base pair fragment of the 18S rRNA of the yeast species. The results obtained in this work show that ELISA techniques using polyclonal antibodies against viable yeast cells are of limited value for the detection and enumeration of spoilage yeast species in dairy products. On the contrary, PCR amplification of a conserved region of the 18S rRNA of the yeast species allows the homogeneous detection of all the yeast species tested and, combined with an overnight enrichment of samples, could be used for the detection of low levels of viable spoilage yeast species in dairy products.