A Multiplex PCR Assay Mediated by Universal Primers for the Detection of Adulterated Meat in Mutton

This study aimed to establish a multiplex PCR detection system mediated by "universal primers," which would be able to determine whether mutton meat contained nonmutton ingredients from rats, foxes, and ducks. Based on the sequence variation of specific mitochondrial genes, nine different multiplex PCR primers were designed, and four kinds of meat products were rapidly identified by electrophoresis using an optimized multiplex PCR system based on the molecular weight differences of the amplified products. Multiplex PCR applications optimized for meat food source from food samples for testing was used to verify the accuracy of the identification method. The results showed that the primers in multiple PCR system mediated by universal primers could be used for the rapid identification of rat, fox, duck, and sheep meat in mutton products, and the detection sensitivity could reach 0.05 ng/μL. The identification of food samples validated the practical value of this method. Therefore, a multiplex PCR system mediated by universal primers was established, which can be used to quickly identify the origin of animal ingredients from rats, foxes, and ducks in mutton products.