Development of Allele-specific PCR for Detectionand Differentiation of A1 and A2 Milk fromVarious Bovine Breeds

Abstract

Bovine milk is considered as one of the nutritious foods. Beta-casein is the most variant protein, which constitutes around 30% in the milk. A1 and A2 variants of Beta-casein have received lot of attention in health as well as research sectors. A1 milk is known to release a peptide called Betacasomorphin-7 (BCM-7) during gastrointestinal digestion. BCM-7 plays key role in the development of many health issues like human ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, schizophrenia, autism and Autistic Spectral Disorder (ASD). The present study has developed an allele specific PCR for detection and differentiation of A1 and A2 milk. DNA extraction from milk and allele-specific PCR amplification was standardized. Further, the developed assay was tested using various indigenous and exotic cow's milk samples and plausible results were obtained. Altogether, the assay will be an efficient way for screening and identifying A1, A2 homozygous and A1/A2 heterozygous milk.