본 연구에서는 오징어류에 해당하는 대왕오징어, 오징어, 문어, 한치 및 이를 이용한 가공식품에 대해서 분자생물 학적 기법을 활용한 시험법을 검토하였다. 시료 중 원료 성분 확인을 위하여 오징어류 4종에 대해 최적의 종 특이 프라이머를 디자인하였으며, 시료로부터 직접 genomic DNA를 추출하여 PCR을 실시하였다. PCR 수행과정에서 반응을 저해하는 염 성분을 제거하기 위하여 증류수를 이용하여 3~4회 세척 후 PCR을 실시한 결과, Single PCR의 경우 대왕오징어(552 bp), 오징어(463 bp), 문어(247 bp), 한치(354 bp)에 해당하는 종 특이적인 증폭산물을 확인하였으며, Multiplex PCR 의 경우 서로 다른 종 사이의 교차반응없이 동시다발적으로 증폭이 일어남을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 이들 4종에 대해 PCR 민감도를 조사한 결과, 모두 약 0.1 ng/μl의 농도까지 검출이 가능함을 확인하였으며 multiplex PCR의 경우 약 0.25 ng/μl의 농도까지 검출이 가능함을 확인하였다. 이를 이용하여 오징어류가 함유된 수산물 가공식품 8건에 대해 적용성을 검토한 결과, 모든 시료에서 유효한 결과를 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구에서 제작된 오징어류 4종에 대한 종 특이적 프라이머는 생물 상태뿐만 아니라 수산물 가공식품에 대해서도 이를 판별할 수 있어 식품안전관리에 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

This study was aimed to develop a novel qualitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneous detection of genetically modified (GM) soy and maize within a single reaction. The specific primers designed to detect four respective GM events (A2704-12, MON88017, Bt11, and MON863) were included in the tetraplex PCR system. Each of PCR products for four GM events could be distinguished by agarose gel based on their different lengths. The specificity and reproducibility of this multiplex PCR were evaluated. This multiplex PCR consistently amplified only a fragment corresponding to a specific inserted gene in each of the four GM events and also amplified all four of the PCR products in the simulated GM mixture. These results indicate that this multiplex PCR method could be an effective qualitative detection method for screening GM soy and maize in a single reaction.

Background: Angelica gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba are commercially important in the herbal medicine market, and among them, A. gigas has the highest economic value and price. However, their similar morphological traits are often used for fraud. Despite their importance in herbal medicine, recognition of the differences between Angelica species is currently inadequate. Methods and Results: A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for direct detection and identification of A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba. The gene for the distinction of species was targeted at ITS in the nucleus and trnC-petN gene in chloroplasts. The optimized multiplex PCR in the present study utilized each Angelica species-specific primer pairs. Each primer pair yielded products of 229 base pairs (bp) for A. gigas, 53 bp for A. sinensis, 170 bp for A. acutiloba. Additionally non-specific PCR products were not detected in similar species by species-specific primers. Conclusions: In the present study, a multiplex-PCR assay, successfully assessed the authenticity of Angelica species (A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba). and whole genome amplification (WGA) was performed after DNA extraction to identify, the species in the product. The detection method of raw materials developed in the present study could be applied to herbal medicine and health functional food management.

'Angelicae Pubescentis Radix' (APR) is an important oriental medical preparation. In Korea, Aralia continentalis has been recognized as the source plant of APR. Aralia cordata, which is difficult to distinguish from A. continentalis, and Heracleum moellendorffii, which is frequently used in lieu of A. continentalis, are traded in Korean herbal markets. In contrast, in China, Angelica pubescens is recognized as the source plant of APR. In this study, we devised a method not only to discriminate A. contientalis from A. cordata, but also to discriminate both A. contientalis and A. cordata from H. moellendorffii and A. pubescens. Based on the discrepancy in the sequences of specific regions of ITS, we designed a Cont F/ Cont R primer set to amplify a 173 bp PCR band that appears only in A. continentalis. Additionally, we designed an Ara F/ Ara R primer set to amplify a 278 bp PCR band that appears in both A. continentalis and A. cordata. Using these primer sets and the ST R primer to confirm the PCR amplification results, we developed a simple multiplex PCR method for differentiating A. continentalis from A. cordata and to concurrently differentiate both A. continentalis and A. cordata from other APR herbs.