Species Authentication of Catfish Using Protein and DNA Based Diagnostics

A.Imported fish of lesser value and quality are being substituted in the U.S. market for domestic channel catfish. Visually, the imported fillets can not be distinguished from U.S. channel catfish. B.Traditional protein banding techniques (isoelectric focusing) for species identification are not reliable on value-added or processed fish. C.Traditional authentication methods are time consuming and require sophisticated laboratory equipment. D.No rapid, on-site, accurate tests are available to authenticate U.S. channel catfish. A.The purpose of this study is to provide the catfish industry and regulators with diagnostic tools to authenticate fish imported, labeled and distributed as U.S. channel catfish. B.A DNA-based assay will provide a highly selective and accurate test for catfish authentication. The DNA-based test will not be negatively influenced by value-added or other processing techniques. C.An enzyme-linked immunoassay test kit will facilitate on-site surveillance and monitoring of imported and distributed fish. D.These diagnostic tools will help to ensure that consumers are not misled about the source, safety and quality of fish they purchase and consume in U.S. markets.