Development of a Robust, Accurate, and Automated Method for Species and Origin Identification in Processed Seafood

The accurate identification of seafood species and origin has become an extremely important topic in the food industry. Mislabeling a lower valued seafood product to represent a species of higher value constitute economic fraud. In addition, this mislabeling compromises proper geographic origin labeling and fishery management efforts. DNA barcoding for seafood species identification provides reliable species level discrimination in most cases and currently is the molecular technique recommended by FDA. While the principles of DNA barcoding are well documented, the current guidelines for each component of the process: DNA extraction, amplification purification, sequencing and bioinformatics; are labor intensive and are NOT currently robust or conducive to streamlining and automation. New technologies and techniques must be investigated and developed in order to streamline and automate the overall principles of DNA barcoding to meet both FDA's quality parameters for regulatory compliance testing and NOAA's project objectives for accurate, robust, fast seafood species and origin identification. In addition, current protocols for DNA barcoding are not sufficient for highly processed seafood. Applied Food Technologies (AFT) proposes to extensively investigate each component of DNA barcoding and develop robust, fast, streamlined and automated technique required to accomplish every goal of this solicitation.