Agilent Technologies Inc. announced a system that speeds and simplifies the use of DNA to identify fish species in food products, making this technique feasible for routine verification of seafood labeling and detecting species substitutions.
The Agilent Fish Species Identification method matches samples to a species DNA database. The system uses an Agilent DNA Fish Species ID Ensemble with an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer lab-on-a-chip system, and specialized RFLP Decoder Software. The DNA analysis method is based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP). The method is accurate, and also reduces the time needed to confirm species in food. Routine DNA analysis now becomes feasible for use by seafood processors, distributors, large retailers, public interest organizations, and government agencies.
“We’re addressing a tremendous global need for a fast, simple and accurate way to confirm fish species throughout the commercial seafood supply chain,” said Mike McMullen, president, Agilent Chemical Analysis Group. “Consumers and regulators increasingly demand foods that are harvested sustainably, and are not adulterated with species of lesser value. We’re delivering a tool to increase everyone’s confidence that fish served as halibut served at their local restaurants is really halibut.”
The system works with fish that is fresh, frozen, dried, salted, or minced, and also works with fish fins. The RFLP Decoder Software contains experimentally-derived patterns from more than 50 species, and additional species also can be added by the user.
The easy-to-use PCR-RFLP method was developed by Campden BRI in the UK. The method’s simplicity is enhanced by packaged reagents, the automated lab-on-a-chip platform, and the easy-to-use RFLP pattern matching software. The system is currently available to early access users. Existing early-access users include a major European seafood products manufacturer as well as several universities and governmental organizations in the United States and Europe.
Agilent Technologies, www.agilent.com
