DNA Based Authenticity Kit

Portable DNA based authenticity kit, allowing rapid extraction of DNA profiles and their automated transformation on meaningful information regarding the verification of species and provenance of the food product.

The DNA based authenticity kit module comprises of portable DNA based molecular methods, allowing rapid extraction of DNA profiles and their automated transformation on meaningful information regarding the verification of species origin, provenance of the food product and protecting the final consumers from adulteration issues. The DNA based authenticity kit consists of 2 parts: hardware and software. The hardware part is the main device for the HRM analysis process, that contains the Maverick MQx8 qPCR instrument and the laptop that is attached to the device. The software part is the Anitoa (Anitoa Systems, LLC), which is the main analysis tool that receives, processes and reports data and results. The output of the tool will be harmonized and properly aligned with the critical tracking events of the product through the THEROS data management and harmonisation platform, whilst allowing the information to be available through the blockchain based traceability network. All data collected and provided will feed the THEROS rule-based verification engine that will validate with respect to species and origin and enable the execution of transactions only if the genetic signature of the product has not been altered/manipulated. The checkpoints where the DNA test will be applied are 3. The first point will be at the landing port where the mussel is offloaded by the producers (Verification point 1). The other DNA samples will be done in the transformation stages at the 2 processing companies. One of the products tested will be fresh product (Verification point 2) and the other cooked canned product (verification point 3). 

Key Components

DNA Extraction:

  • Sampling procedures are performed according to the standard procedures that are applied for GMO detection (based on ISO/FDIS 6498:2011). Four subsampling operations are implemented to reduce the subsampling errors, (Esbensen and Paasch-Mortensen, 2010): 1. Composite subsampling (or incrementing), 2. Comminution (particle size reduction), 3. Mixing/blending, 4. Representative mass reduction.

  • DNA is extracted from multiple samples of the product under investigation through the application of specific molecular methods to obtain genetic material (DNA).

  • The molecular methods of DNA extraction will be applied on cultivation sites and through different preparation stages (packaging, transportation, etc.) of the final product, all the way to the selling points of the products, in order to prevent any adulteration issues.

PCR & HRM Analysis:

  • PCR analysis is performed on a portable device that is connected to a laptop powered by a portable battery.

  • PCR analysis is based on a specific molecular method that allows the amplification of a specific gene of interest, in our case, the COI gene region for fresh/frozen samples and PAPM gene region for fresh/frozen and canned samples that will allow the rapid identification of the species origin, based on the nucleotide differences of the DNA sequences.

  • After the PCR analysis, HRM analysis is performed on the amplified DNA sequences based on their melting temperatures.

High Resolution Melting profiles& Melt temperatures:

  • High-resolution melting (HRM) profiles are generated, providing numerical data corresponding to melting temperatures.

  • Melting temperatures are specifically based on the amplified DNA sequences and can detect any DNA alterations specific to each organism.

  • Specific melting temperatures from each sample correspond to a specific species’ origin.

  • The software provides results in a csv/pdf file regarding the confidence values of the results.

Origin Verification provider:

  • Results are compared with a trusted source or database of species.

Interfaces

HRM profiles and melting temperatures are provided through the analysis performed by specialized software that reports the data in real time on the connected laptop along with the PCR and HRM analysis, that is performed by the portable device

Services

  • Based on the DNA analysis, the aim is to verify the origin of the species that is labelled on a specific product.

  • The amplified DNA sequences that are produced through the PCR, are subjected to HRM analysis that produces the HRM profiles and melting temperatures that correspond to specific species.

  • The data generated by HRM analysis are then analysed and compared to a database.

  • Specific adulteration detection methods based on specific molecular techniques are applied to the food products, ensuring the correct labelling of the final product that reaches the consumers.

Origin verification:

  • To verify based on the DNA analysis the origin of the species of a specific product.

Usage and applications

This module significantly enhances the monitoring capabilities for adulteration issues and mislabelling of the food products. The application of specialized and robust molecular methods will be applied to fresh products throughout the whole process of cultivation, packaging, transportation and selling points, ensuring that the final consumers are protected from adulteration events. The kit aims at increasing traceability and transparency for the producing and supply chain of the mussels’ products, providing the consumers with validated information regarding the species identity and the geographic origin of the products.

This module significantly enhances monitoring capabilities for adulteration issues and mislabeling of the food products. The application of specialized and robust molecular methods will be applied to fresh and canned products throughout the whole process of cultivation, packaging, transportation and selling points, ensuring that the final consumers are protected from adulteration events. The DNA based authenticity kit is suitable for stakeholders in the food sector who acquire accurate information on the origin of the food products. Also, it is suitable for certifications authorities as it facilitates a more accurate identification method of possible adulteration events based on specialized molecular techniques. The kit is suitable for stakeholders in the food sector who acquire accurate information on the origin of the food ingredients. Also, suitable for certifications authorities as it facilitates a more accurate identification method of possible adulterations based on specialized molecular techniques.