Fish species substitution is a major global fraud problem. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is widely appreciated, especially smoked or as fillets, and is a high value fish in many export markets, and thus vulnerable to substitution. Chinese researchers have developed a real-time DNA assay based on isothermal amplification (LAMP-real time fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification) of a specific section of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, which is sensitive, and more rapid than normal PCR thermocycling. The assay was specific to Atlantic salmon without any cross-reactivity with 11 non-targeted salmonoid species. It was tested on 30 commercial salmon products collected in local markets in Nanjing, and only six were found to contain Atlantic salmon.
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