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This work (open access) provides genetic marker information and proposes a standard method to support the regulatory classification of premium rice varieties including Basmati, Jasmine, Sushi and Risotto.  It builds on previous reference data sets provided by the same research group (including the University of Bangor, one of FAN’s Centre of Expertise laboratories).

Updated DNA fingerprinting was done for reference samples of 158 commercial rice varieties from 14 countries, collected since 2004. Most samples were obtained directly from the appropriate regulatory body in each jurisdiction, with provenance further substantiated by genetic cluster analysis.

DNA fingerprinting based on 10 SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers was introduced in the early 2000s for authenticity testing of Basmati rice. Subsequently the addition of 5 SSRs and the fragrance gene fgr have refined the method for routine use.

This new study evaluated the applicability of the 15-SSR method for authenticity testing of more diverse types of commercially relevant rice that are traded on an international scale. The extensive range of reference samples covered this commercial scope. Most varieties were found to have distinct marker profiles except for eight near isogenic lines and eight closely related traditional varieties. The fgr marker detected several non-fragrant varieties that were incorrectly labelled as Jasmine fragrant rice, one of which was listed as fragrant and tariff-exempt in the EU Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement.

To assess the authenticity of samples obtained from unofficial sources in the trade, UPGMA algorithm and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) were used for marker-based clustering of samples. Most of the unofficially sourced samples clustered according to their expected geographical and genetic origin, supporting their authenticity. The study supports the broader utility of this 15-SSR test, supplemented by the fgr marker, for global rice variety authentication.

The authors conclude that their proposed markers are ideal to underpin ond enforce industrial, legal and free trade agreement standards.

Photo by Rens D on Unsplash

Over 25 stakeholders from various cannabis industry sectors in Canada, USA and the EU, participated in the recent Cannabis Authenticity and Purity Standard (CAPS) Steering Committee Session, on June 23 2020, to hear more about the need for standardized safety and quality measures throughout the medicinal, edible, beverage, topical and recreational cannabis product supply chain.  

Cannabis and hemp are natural products increasingly consumed for their perceived health benefits by those seeking alternative nutrition and medicine to deal with common ailments such as chronic pain, anxiety, infections, and compromised immunity. In many jurisdictions where these products are legally available, government regulations tend to stipulate only the basic safety requirements. In most other established industry sectors, brands, retailers, and consumers demand far more than the minimum regulatory requirements and usually impose more rigorous safety and quality brand protection measures from their suppliers.

Steering Committee participants also interacted with presenters such as Roger Muse, a Vice President at the ANSI American National Accreditation Board (ANAB), who spoke about the value of third-party accreditation, standards, and testing methods specifically designed for the cannabis industry. “We are excited to be working with Purity-IQ whose CAPS third-party certification will combine requirements for ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation process together with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation. As a condition for doing business, the CAPS certification process will provide brands and specifiers with much needed safety and consistency assurances.”

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