In this study (open access) researchers developed and validated new new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems for detection of rapeseed in small samples of highly processed vegetable oils oils.
They designed primerss targeting the rapeseed acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase; BnACCg8) gene, and optimised the PCR conditions after genomic DNA extraction from ground seeds and 700 µL aliquots of edible oils. DNA was isolated using two commercial kits, and PCR products were assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis.
They report that Uniplex PCRs demonstrated species specificity, producing 147-bp and 174-bp amplicons only in rapeseed DNA, with no amplification in soybean, sunflower, or maize. PCR bands from oils were weak or absent but implementing a double-PCR approach increased detection sensitivity in oils by approximately fivefold. Strong, expected-size amplicons were obtained from all oil extracts, confirming reliable detection of rapeseed in both cold-pressed and refined varieties, regardless of extraction method.
They conclude that this approach offers a sensitive, rapeseed-specific molecular tool for verifying the botanical origin of edible oils. It is suitable for routine authenticity testing and quality control of vegetable oils.
