Identification of the razor clam species Ensis arcuatus, E. siliqua, E. directus, E. macha, and Solen marginatus using PCR-RFLP analysis of the 5S rDNA region

J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Sep 5;55(18):7278-82. doi: 10.1021/jf0709855. Epub 2007 Aug 11.

Abstract

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 5S ribosomal DNA region has been applied to the establishment of DNA-based molecular markers for the identification of five razor clam species: Ensis arcuatus, E. siliqua, E. directus, E. macha, and Solen marginatus. PCR amplifications were carried out using a pair of universal primers from the coding region of 5S rDNA. S. marginatus was simply distinguished by the different size of the amplicons obtained. Species-specific restriction endonuclease patterns were found with the enzymes Hae III for E. arcuatus, E. siliqua, and E. directus, and Acs I for E. macha, and when two enzymes were combined, the four species were also identified. Thus, this work provides a simple, reliable, and rapid protocol for the accurate identification of Ensis and Solen species in fresh and canned products, which is very useful for traceability and to enforce labeling regulations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bivalvia / classification*
  • Bivalvia / genetics*
  • DNA, Ribosomal / analysis*
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Food Preservation
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 5S / genetics
  • Shellfish / classification*

Substances

  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 5S