Detection of Alphitobius diaperinus by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction With a Single-Copy Gene Target


  • Marien, A. , Sedefoglu, H. , Dubois, B. , Maljean, J. , Francis, F. , Berben, G. , Guillet, S. , Morin, J.F. , Fumière, O. & Debode, F. (2022). Detection of Alphitobius diaperinus by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction With a Single-Copy Gene Target. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Volume 9: (718806), https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.718806.
Type Journal Article
Year 2022
Title Detection of Alphitobius diaperinus by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction With a Single-Copy Gene Target
Journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Volume Volume 9
Issue 718806
Pages https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.718806
Date 09/03/2022
Type of article Research
Project/Service ref Quality and Authentication of Agricultural Products Unit
Endnote keywords insect, Alphitobius diaperinus, lesser mealworm, Coleoptera, detection, real-time PCR, cadherin, feed
Endnote Keywords insect, Alphitobius diaperinus, lesser mealworm, Coleoptera, detection, real-time PCR, cadherin, feed
Abstract Use of edible insects as an alternative source of proteins in food and feed is increasing. These last years, numerous companies in Europe have started producing insects for food and feed purposes. In the European Union, the use of edible insects for human consumption falls within Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2283 on novel foods. For feed, Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/893 authorizes seven insect species as processed animal proteins for aquaculture. Methods of authentication are required to check the conformity of the products. In this study, we propose a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the specific detection of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), one of the species included in the shortlist of authorized insects. The selected target is the cadherin gene with a single-copy (per haploid genome) illustrated by our experimental evidence. The PCR test amplified a 134-bp fragment of the cadherin gene. The qualitative method was assessed toward several performance criteria. Specificity was checked against 54 insect species next to other animal and plant species. The sensitivity, efficiency, robustness, and transferability of the PCR assay were also successfully tested. Finally, the applicability of the test was assessed on real-life processed samples (industrial meals) of A. diaperinus. The study also showed that there seems to be a huge confusion on the correct labeling of the marketed mealworms. We did not succeed to get Alphitobius laevigatus samples. They all appeared to belong to the A. diaperinus taxon.
Author address a.marien@cra.wallonie.be
Fichier
Lien https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.718806
Authors Marien, A., Sedefoglu, H., Dubois, B., Maljean, J., Francis, F., Berben, G., Guillet, S., Morin, J.F., Fumière, O., Debode, F.