A gold nanoparticle (AuNP) probe strategy for testing meat authenticity was developed, which relies on the colorimetric differentiation of a particular DNA sequence, due to the differential aggregation profiles exhibited by the AuNPs in the presence or absence of specific target hybridization. Gold nanoparticles were conjugated with thiolated oligonucleotides for specifically identifying a 69 bp fragment of the horse cytochrome b gene. In the presence of a complementary target preventing aggregation of the AuNPs when acid was added, the reaction mixtures retained the original pink colouration of the colloidal particles, whereas they turned purple in the opposite event. Fresh meatballs, prepared using pure bovine meat, were used as blanks, producing a purplish coloured solution with a peak at ≥570nm. Horse meat was used as positive control and the pink colour obtained after hybridization exhibited maximum absorption at 524 nm. Both the specificity and sensitivity of the tests performed were 100%. Visual observations and spectroscopic data indicated that the coloration produced by the AuNPs (positive-pink, negative-purple) was very stable, showing no change under normal laboratory conditions. The use of AuNPs for the colorimetric detection of DNA targets from undeclared species in meat products provides an inexpensive and easy-to-perform alternative to common molecular assays. The technology described here can be further developed to accommodate detection of many cases of adulteration and fraudulent practices.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.