Application of species-specific PCR for the identification of dried bonito product (Katsuobushi)

The species-specific PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method was developed to identify the species of dried bonito product (Katsuobushi) produced from Euthynnus pelamis, E. affinis, Auxis rochei, A. thazard, and Sarda orientalis. The 1141 bp complete mitochondrial cytochrome b genes of five bonito species and other five related Scombridae species were established, and then five pairs of species-specific primer were designed to amplify short length fragments among bonito species. The developed species-specific PCR method was successfully applied to authenticate species of commercial dried bonito products. Hence, this method really provided a useful and academic technique to identify the sources of bonito product.