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Development of a Robust, Accurate, and Automated Method for Species and Origin Identification in Processed Seafood

Award Information
Agency: Department of Commerce
Branch: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Contract: WC-133R-14-CN-0070
Agency Tracking Number: 14-1-012
Amount: $94,640.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 8.1
Solicitation Number: NOAA-2014-1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2014
Award Year: 2014
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2014-07-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2014-01-15
Small Business Information
12085 Research Drive
Alachua, FL 32615-
United States
DUNS: 965847382
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 LeeAnn Applewhite
 President
 (386) 418-3661
 lapplewhite@appliedfoodtechnologies.com
Business Contact
 LeeAnn Applewhite
Title: President
Phone: (386) 418-3661
Email: lapplewhite@appliedfoodtechnologies.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The accurate identification of seafood species and origin has become an extremely important topic in the food industry. Mislabeling a lower valued seafood product to represent a species of higher value constitute economic fraud. In addition, this mislabeling compromises proper geographic origin labeling and fishery management efforts.

DNA barcoding for seafood species identification provides reliable species level discrimination in most cases and currently is the molecular technique recommended by FDA. While the principles of DNA barcoding are well documented, the current guidelines for each component of the process: DNA extraction, amplification purification, sequencing and bioinformatics; are labor intensive and are NOT currently robust or conducive to streamlining and automation. New technologies and techniques must be investigated and developed in order to streamline and automate the overall principles of DNA barcoding to meet both FDA's quality parameters for regulatory compliance testing and NOAA's project objectives for accurate, robust, fast seafood species and origin identification. In addition, current protocols for DNA barcoding are not sufficient for highly processed seafood. Applied Food Technologies (AFT) proposes to extensively investigate each component of DNA barcoding and develop robust, fast, streamlined and automated technique required to accomplish every goal of this solicitation.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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