Cloth-based hybridization array system for the detection and identification of ruminant species in animal feed

A cloth-based hybridization array system for the detection and identification of material derived from several ruminant species (cattle, sheep, goat, elk, and deer) in animal feeds has been developed. Primers targeting conserved mitochondrial DNA sequences amplified ruminant DNA in a universal PCR, and the digoxigenin-labeled amplicons were hybridized with an array of species-specific oligonucleotide capture probes on a polyester cloth support. The hybridized amplicons were detected on the cloth by sequential reactions with antidigoxigenin antibody-peroxidase conjugate and chromogenic substrate solution. This cloth-based hybridization array system provided sensitive and specific detection and identification of meat meal containing rendered cattle, sheep, goat, elk, and deer material blended in feeds.