Species Determination in Meat: Analysis Methods for the Detection of Pork, Horse, Donkey and Poultry Meat

What are the Methods of Detection of Pork, Horse, Donkey and Poultry Meat?

Species Determination in Meat

In the food sector, many products, especially meat products, are adulterated. Adulteration, which can be defined as the production of food contrary to the legislation or permitted properties of the foodstuff, is applied to foods in many different ways.

• Use of the additive permitted to be used more than the amount specified as a limit
• Reducing costs by mixing high quality products with lower quality products
• Use of substances not indicated on the label

In addition to the adulteration practices mentioned above, there are many other methods that can be listed.

One of the adulteration practices, especially in meat products, is to reduce the quality and price by mixing different types of meat. The use of meat species that are not specified on the label or not permitted, the use of excessive amounts of different organs in the product can be counted. Demands for species determination analyzes in meat and meat products are increasing and should be tested in accredited laboratories. In this way, it can be prevented from deceiving the consumer and playing with their health.

Why Species Determination in Meat?

1. Ensuring Food Safety: Using the wrong types of meat can jeopardize public health.
2. Compliance with Religious Sensitivities: Analyzes are important because pork consumption is prohibited in Islamic and Jewish beliefs.
3. Prevention of Adulteration and Cheating: Tricks such as the use of cheap meats (donkey, horse meat) instead of more valuable meats are detected.
4. Consumer Confidence: Guarantees the accuracy of the content stated on product labels.
5. Legal Compliance: It checks compliance with food regulations and ensures that producers comply with the rules.

Methods Used for Species Determination in Meat

Demands for species determination analyzes in meat and meat products are increasing and should be tested in accredited laboratories. In this way, deceiving consumers and tampering with their health can be prevented. Species determination in meat becomes vital, especially when different species such as pork and horse meat are used without being specified on the label. Such analyses ensure that religious beliefs are respected as well as protecting consumer health. In order to increase reliability and prevent fraud in the food industry, sensitive analysis methods such as PCR and ELISA are used.

1. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Method
• DNA analysis determines precisely which species the meat belongs to.
• It is a reliable method especially for the detection of pork, horse and donkey meat.
2. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) Method
• A test based on protein antigens.
• Used to detect poultry meat or other animal proteins in meat products.
3. Microscopic Analysis
• Determines the animal species by examining the tissue structure in meat products.
• It is especially used in ready-made minced meat and delicatessen products.
4. Chemical Analysis
• Species determination is made based on fat, collagen and protein contents.
• It is also preferred for quality control in processed products.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Meat Species Determination . We also provide services in Food Counterfeiting and Adulteration Studies.

Contact us for more information.

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