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Visual Detection of Multiple Nucleic Acids in a Capillary Array
Published on: November 15, 2017
Rapid visual detection of DNA-traceable barcodes for food authentication using saltatory rolling circle amplification
Wenxiang Sun1, Kehan Liu1, Jiukai Zhang2
1Key Laboratory of the State Administration for Market Regulation (Food Authenticity Identification), Chinese Academy of Quality and Inspection & Testing, Beijing, 100176, China; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Abstract:
DNA-traceable barcodes have shown potential for food traceability and anti-counterfeiting; however, rapid and user-friendly detection methods are still needed for practical deployment. In this study, a rapid authentication strategy for a DNA-traceable barcode system was developed using saltatory rolling circle amplification (SRCA) combined with fluorescence-based visual detection. Under optimized conditions, the visual SRCA method achieved an empirical visual detection limit of 5.4 fg/μL recombinant plasmid DNA, representing a 1000-fold improvement in sensitivity compared to conventional PCR-capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CE) under the tested conditions. The applicability of the system was demonstrated using Citrus sinensis samples labeled with DNA-traceable barcodes. Notably, the DNA-traceable barcodes remained detectable after 90 days of storage, and Sanger sequencing confirmed complete sequence identity of the recovered barcode. Therefore, the developed SRCA-based visual assay, characterized by rapid operation, high sensitivity, and simple readout, provides a practical tool for detecting DNA-traceable barcodes and holds significant potential for food traceability and anti-counterfeiting applications.
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