Specificity of Various Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), ND5, D-Loop, and Cty-b DNA Primers in Detecting Pig (Sus scrofa) DNA Fragments

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is an accurate, simple and fast analytical method. This technique is widely used in the identification of meat adulteration and meat-based processed food products. Three Mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) primers NADH Dehydrogenase sub unit 5 (ND5), D-Loop, and Cytochrome b (Cyt-b) were tested for their specificity in detecting of pig (Sus scrofa) DNA fragments. DNA genome from 6 meat samples (pork, beef, goat, lamb, and chicken) was amplified by PCR technique using three pairs of primers (ND5, D-Loop, and Cyt-b) and sequenced. The results of amplification using the three primers produced specific DNA bands with the lengths of 232 bp, 951 bp, and 404 bp, respectively. Comparison results with ND5, D-Loop, and Cyt-b gene sequences resulted in similarity values of 100%, 97%, and 99%, respectively. These showed that the mt-DNA primers of ND5, D-Loop, and Cyt-b genes can be recommended as specific primers in detecting pig (Sus scrofa) DNA fragments.