This paper (purchase required) reports a simple screening method for vegetable oil adulterants (corn, sesame, soy, sunflower, almond, and hazelnut) in olive oil. It is based on a multispecies DNA sensor that can be read with the naked eye. It is the first report of a DNA sensor for olive oil adulteration detection with other plant oils. The researchers have identified unique nucleotide variations which enable the discrimination of the seven plant species. Following a single PCR step, a 20 minute multiplex plant-discrimination reaction is performed, and the products are applied directly to the sensing device. The plant species are visualized as red spots using functionalized gold nanoparticles as reporters. The spot position reveals the identity of the plant species. The authors report that <5–10% of adulterant was detected with good reproducibility and specificity.
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