December 11, 2007

Spanish scientists develop genetic markers for meat traceability

Scientists from Barcelona, Spain developed genetic markers to confirm the breed and origin of meat from farm animals.

The Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and research company, Applied Biosystems, worked on an identity test that uses genetic markers to identify individual animals, thus making way for complete meat traceability.

The study validated 46 SNPs (genetic markers that are all single nucleotide polymorphisms), from a set of 120, for identifying pigs from five different purebred lines.

The SNPs were investigated in each DNA sample from hundreds of pigs using the SNPlex Genotyping System.

In each pig's sample, the pattern of SNPs enabled the scientists to identify individual pigs and their parentage for the five breeds.

The tests are considered beneficial for Spanish animal breeders and farmers who want to identify genetic markers associated with meat quality and flavour. They could also be used for traceability in sheep and other animals