Authentication of Meat and Meat Products Using Triacylglycerols Profiling and by DNA Analysis

Abstract

Two alternative, complementary analytical strategies were successfully used to identify the most common meat species—beef, pork and chicken—in meat products. The first innovative high-throughput approach was based on triacylglycerols fingerprinting by direct analysis in real time coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART–HRMS). The second was the classic commonly used DNA analysis based on the use of nuclear or mitochondrial DNA in multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). The DART–HRMS method represents a rapid, high throughput screening method and was shown to have a good potential for the authentication of meat products. Nevertheless, it should be noted that due to a limited number of samples in this pilot study, we present here a proof of concept. More samples must be analyzed by DART–HRMS to build a robust classification model applicable for reliable authentication. To verify the DART–HRMS results, all samples were analyzed by PCRs. Good compliance in samples classification was documented. In routine practice under these conditions, screening based on DART–HRMS could be used for identification of suspect samples, which could be then examined and validated by accurate PCRs. In this way, saving of both labor and cost could be achieved. In the final phase, commercially available meat products from the Czech market were tested using this new strategy. Canned meats—typical Czech sausages and luncheon meats, all with declared content of beef, pork and chicken meat—were used. Compliance with the label declaration was confirmed and no adulteration was found.