DETECTION OF BEEF, SHEEP, DEER, AND HORSE MEAT IN COOKED MEAT-PRODUCTS BY ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are described for the detection of mutton, beef, horse meat, and venison in cooked meat products. They represent an expansion of the species detection capabilities of previously described ELISAs for the detection of pork and poultry in cooked foods. These double antibody sandwich ELISAs recognize heat-resistant antigens In simple aqueous extracts of cooked meat products. Tests on laboratory-prepared and commercially cooked meat products accurately differentiated all tested meat components. However, some canned baby food meats and one canned meat product did not react in any of these ELISAs. Sensitivity of the assays was 0.13% or greater In tests of diluted cooked extract mixtures. No product ingredients were found that interfered with test performance.