Use of DNA technologies for the examination of foodstuff

Abstract

An integral component of the management system in the field of food safety is the examination of food products, which is based mostly on physical, chemical, physico-chemical and biochemical methods of research. Progress in the mastery of DNA diagnostic methods has become an incentive for the development and introduction into laboratory practice of highly sensitive methods for assessing the safety and quality of foodstuff, based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In recent decades, the demand for molecular tools for food examination, authentication and traceability has increased significantly. This is due to the fact that legislation in the food sector is becoming increasingly strict, and market strategies are aimed at evaluating the food chain "from field to table" and ensuring that consumer choices match their expectations. An overview of proven and widely tested molecular approaches for the examination of food products is presented: PCR-RFLP method, RAPD-PCR, SSR-PCR, RTPCR. The potential and prospects of the latest technologies, such as SNP - single nucleotide polymorphisms, isothermal amplification, digital PCR, Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS), DNA metabarcoding, are also described. The specified methods are characterized by high productivity, speed and scaling, enabling the study of biological systems at a new qualitative level. Examples of successful use of the specified methods for examination of foodstuff of plant and animal origin, their authentication and traceability are given. A broad panel of molecular methods is a powerful tool to protect both producers and consumers, providing consumers with freedom of choice and increasing transparency in food production systems, enabling honest producers to properly promote their products. Key words: DNA-technologies, polymerase chain reaction, food safety, foodstuff examination.