Induction and detection of long-lasting peptide-specific antibody responses in pigs and beef cattle: a powerful technology for tracing meat processing chains from stock farmers to sales counters

A novel identification technology for livestock based on the principles of peptide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin immunisation is described allowing traceability of labelled animals and derived meat products throughout the complete production chain. Strong and long-lasting anti-peptide-immunoglobulin G responses were induced in pigs and beef cattle via immunisations with different peptide–KLH derivatives. Subsequently, anti-peptide antibodies are reproducibly detectable in serum and meat of pigs and cattle by means of ELISA. In respect of origin verification and compliance marking in quality meat programs, especially for pigs, the bioactive labelling technology meets all necessary requirements for greater transparency in the meat production chain.