THE IDENTIFICATION OF CANNED TUNA SPECIES BY CHARACTERISATION OF THE NUCLEIC ACIDS

Objective

Present techniques for the identification of fish species, especially tunas are unable to identify fish that has been canned. The nucleic acid sequences of the fish offer a unique and stable foundation on which to base a method for the differentiation of closely related tuna species.
The objective is to develop DNA/RNA-based diagnostic techniques to identify individual tuna and bonito species in commercially canned products :
1. Collection, authentication and canning of individual tuna and bonito species
2. Extraction of DNA from canned samples and sequencing a variable region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in accordance with published methods.
3. Evaluation of other nucleic acid technologies
3.1. Probes for fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene
3.2. Restriction enzyme fragments of large molecular weight DNA
3.3. Sequencing of ribosomal RNA
3.4. Random primer amplified polymorphic DNA profiles
3.5. Restriction enzyme fragments of mitochondrial DNA
4. Selection and optimisation of the most appropriate technique
5. Validation of the technique and comparison with the best alternative technology.

Programme(s)

• FP3-AIR - Specific research and technological development and demonstration programme (EEC) in the field of agriculture and agro-industry, including fisheries, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 416 - Prenormative food research

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)

Address

135 Abbey Road
AB9 8DG Aberdeen
United Kingdom

Participants (3)

Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei

Germany

Address

Palmaille 9
22767 Hamburg

CSIC

Spain

Address

Serrano 117
28006 Vigo

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Spain

Address

Pazo De San Xerome
15705 Santiago De Compostela