Molecular Barcoding: A Tool to Guarantee Correct Seafood Labelling and Quality and Preserve the Conservation of Endangered Species

• Published in: Foods 2023-06, Vol.12 (12), p.2420
• Main Authors: Filonzi, Laura, Ardenghi, Alessia, Rontani, Pietro Maria, Voccia, Andrea, Ferrari, Claudio, Papa, Riccardo, Bellin, Nicolò, Nonnis Marzano, Francesco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adulterated products; Aquaculture; Bar codes; Clothing industry; Commercial fishing; Conservation; Consumers; Cytochrome; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA barcoding; Endangered & extinct species; Endangered species; Fish; Fish as food; Fish industry; Fish production; Fisheries; Fishery products; Fishing; Food; food fraud; Food industry; Food processing; Food quality; Food science; Fraud; Gene sequencing; Genes; genomics; Identification; Innovations; International economic relations; Labeling; mislabelling; mitochondria; Mitochondrial DNA; molecular barcoding; processed seafood; Production increases; Protection and preservation; Raw materials; Review; rRNA 16S; Seafood; species identification; Taxonomy; Threatened species; traceability; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods12122420

The recent increase in international fish trade leads to the need for improving the traceability of fishery products. In relation to this, consistent monitoring of the production chain focusing on technological developments, handling, processing and distribution via global networks is necessary. Molecular barcoding has therefore been suggested as the gold standard in seafood species traceability and labelling. This review describes the DNA barcoding methodology for preventing food fraud and adulteration in fish. In particular, attention has been focused on the application of molecular techniques to determine the identity and authenticity of fish products, to discriminate the presence of different species in processed seafood and to characterize raw materials undergoing food industry processes. In this regard, we herein present a large number of studies performed in different countries, showing the most reliable DNA barcodes for species identification based on both mitochondrial ( , , rDNA and rDNA) and nuclear genes. Results are discussed considering the advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques in relation to different scientific issues. Special regard has been dedicated to a dual approach referring to both the consumer's health and the conservation of threatened species, with a special focus on the feasibility of the different genetic and genomic approaches in relation to both scientific objectives and permissible costs to obtain reliable traceability.