A Double-Gene Metabarcoding Approach for the Authentication of Shrimp Surimi-Based Products.

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Molecular Biology
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Shrimp surimi-based products (SSPs) are prone to food fraud, often being misrepresented as fish surimi.
• Authenticating SSPs is crucial due to potential health risks and ethical concerns associated with undeclared ingredients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To employ a double-gene metabarcoding approach to authenticate SSPs available on Chinese e-commerce platforms.
• To identify instances of mislabeling and the types of undeclared animal species in SSPs.

Main Methods:

• DNA metabarcoding was used, targeting the 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA genes.
• Sequencing was performed on 24 SSP samples purchased from Chinese e-commerce platforms.
• Ingredient authenticity was assessed by comparing labeled ingredients with molecular identification results.

Main Results:

• A high mislabeling rate of 87.50% (21/24) was observed in the tested SSPs.
• Undeclared species, including various shrimp, fish (e.g., Gadus chalcogrammus, Evynnis tumifrons, Priacanthus arenatus), pork, chicken, and cephalopods, were detected.
• The study identified the substitution of shrimp with lower-cost fish and the presence of endangered fish species (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), indicating significant quality control issues and sustainability concerns.

Conclusions:

• Double-gene DNA metabarcoding is a highly effective method for authenticating ingredients in processed seafood products like SSPs.
• The findings highlight critical issues in the quality control and labeling of SSPs, necessitating improved regulatory oversight.
• The prevalence of mislabeling and the inclusion of vulnerable fish species underscore the need for greater transparency and sustainable sourcing in the seafood industry.