Volume 59 (2009) Issue: 2009 No#2-3

Identification of animal species in heat treated muscle homogenates using the polymerase chain reaction

Author(s): Velebit B, Marković Brankica, Janković Vesna, Borović Branka, Vesković-Moračanin Slavica

Keywords:meat, animal species, identification, PCR

The possibility of identification of animal species in pasteurized and sterilized muscle homogenates was studied. Homogenates consisted of beef, pork and chicken meat, mixed in equal amounts. Nitrite salt and polyphosphates were also added. Heat treatment included pasteurization at temperatures of 80oC, 90oC and 100oC, while sterilization was performed at temperatures of 110oC and 121oC, respectively. Animal mitochondrial DNA was isolated from the samples and the target gene was subsequently amplified by PCR. The presence of species-specific bands indicated respective animal species in homogenates. The results showed that it was possible to identify the most common domestic animal species in heat treated muscle homogenates.