Development of the Method for Authentication of the Genus Anguilla Sold on the Korean Fish Market and Current Status of Distribution

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify the mislabeling of Japanese eel (<i>Anguilla japonica</i>) sold on the fish markets in Korea and to develop a method for determining the authenticity of fresh and trimmed eels. Between January and December 2018, 31 test samples were collected from restaurants and fish markets in Seoul, South Korea, and the collected samples were analyzed. The results showed that over two-thirds of the samples tested were mislabeled. Molecular identification of 31 test samples revealed that 10 <i>Anguilla japonica</i>, 9 <i>Anguilla Anguilla</i>, 2 <i>Anguilla rostrate, 1 Anguilla marmorata</i>, 7 <i>Ophichthus remiger</i>, 1 <i>Brachysomophis crocodilinus</i>, and 1 <i>Conger myriaster</i>. We have developed the <i>Nde</i>ⅠPCR-RFLP assay for determining the authentication of fresh and trimmed eels sold on the fish markets in Korea, and this assay enables rapidly and accurately identify the genus <i>Anguilla</i>.