Using DNA barcoding to examine mislabeling in tuna and swordfish

    

Michael P. Martin, Madison Sobonya, and Christopher A. Sheil

Advances in Biology Laboratory Education, 2024, Volume 44

https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v44.art33

Abstract

This two-part lab exercise allows students to evaluate the accuracy of food labeling by methods of DNA barcoding. Students extract, isolate, and amplify the DNA sequence for the cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 protein, from samples of sushi-grade tuna acquired from restaurants or grocery stores. DNA sequences from these tuna samples are analyzed with the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) to identify similar sequences that exist in the GenBank database. BLAST results are used to infer the identity and evaluate the accuracy of food labels for these tuna samples.

Keywords:  food mislabeling, tuna, COI, cytochrome oxidase

University of California, San Diego (2023)