This paper (purchase required) describes the development of an easy-to-read point of use DNA test for beef, pork and chicken. It is based on a Nucleic Acid Lateral Flow Strip (LFS) coupled with multiplex PCR. The read-lines on the LFS develop within 10 minutes. The coloured lines are produced by triplex colour latex microsphere labels, enabling a different colour for each species. The authors report that, if the lines are read by a smartphone imager, the quantitation compares favourably with electrophoresis and detection limits of 0.1% w/w in adulterated meats can be achieved. Specificity analysis revealed no cross-reactivity with meat derived from beef, pork, chicken, duck, mutton, rabbit, goose, ostrich, camel and horse. The assay was successfully employed for adulteration identification in 28 commercial beef and lamb products.
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash (And, yes, this is a Covid LFD. Just for illustration.)
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