A simple polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for the differentiation of cephalopod mollusc families Loliginidae from Ommastrephidae, to avoid substitutions in fishery field

In order to provide a tool for the prevention of commercial frauds in fish products, a simple polymerase chain react ion-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method has been developed. This method allows to clearly differentiate molluscs belonging to the family Loliginidae from those belonging to the family Ommastrephidae. Cephalopods' 16S r-DNA was amplified with PCR using a "universal" primer pair, and the amplification product was digested with AsnI restriction enzyme. The resulting electrophoretic patterns of families Loliginidae and Ommastrephidae showed characteristic 200 bp band and 600 700 bp band, respectively. With this methodology, the analysed species belonging to the genus Loligo have also been differentiated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.