GET OFFER LOGIN

Meat Species Analysis

  1. Meat Species Analysis
  2. Meat Species Analysis

Meat Species Analysis

Meat Type Determination

Meat is a rich source of amino acids and vitamins that our bodies cannot synthesize, particularly animal-derived proteins. It has been found that animal proteins contain higher amounts of essential amino acids compared to plant proteins. A deficiency in animal proteins negatively affects the immune system, nervous system, and other bodily functions.

Population growth has led to an increase in meat consumption and meat prices, paving the way for adulteration. To lower meat prices, meat products made by mixing different types of meat have been made available to low-income consumers. The adulteration has necessitated the implementation of species identification tests on meat and meat products sold in the market. Species identification analyses in meat and meat products are of great importance for food safety and quality control.


What are the different types of meat and meat products?

Meat is a food obtained from animals and is an important part of nutrition due to its high protein content. Here are some common types of meat and meat products:
  • Red meat: Beef, veal, lamb, and goat meat.
  • White meat: Meat from poultry such as chicken, turkey, and duck.
  • Seafood: Fish and shellfish (shrimp, oysters).
  • Processed Meat Products: Deli meats such as sausage, salami, and pastrami.
  • Ground Meat and Ready-to-Cook Meatballs: Products sold raw or processed.


What Are Counterfeiting and Adulteration in Meat Products?

Counterfeiting and adulteration practices, which are common in the food industry, are carried out to mislead consumers and make unfair profits at low cost. Common examples of counterfeiting and adulteration in meat products:
  • Use of Different Types of Meat: Mixing chicken or pork instead of beef.
  • Addition of Fat and Offal: Adding non-standard fat and organ tissue to minced meat or sausage.
  • Addition of Vegetable Protein: Increasing the protein content of meat products by adding soy protein.
  • Use of Colorants and Flavorings: Adding colorants or flavorings to make the product look fresher.
  • Misleading and Incomplete Labeling: Misleading consumers by providing incorrect or incomplete information about the type of meat.


Why is Meat Type Identification Performed?

Meat type identification is performed to determine which animal species the meat in meat and meat products belongs to. Here are the reasons for performing type identification analyses:
  • Ensuring Consumer Confidence: Ensuring that consumers trust the product information on the label.
  • Food Safety: Protecting individuals at risk of food allergies due to incorrect or incomplete information.
  • Religious Sensitivities: To ensure the consumption of food that is in line with religious beliefs, such as halal or kosher.
  • Legal Compliance and Fraud Detection: To prevent counterfeiting and adulteration and to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
  • Quality Control and Standards: To maintain product quality and ensure production standards.


Meat Species Identification Methods

  • PCR Method: Identifies the type of animal the meat comes from through DNA-based analysis.
  • ELISA Method: Determines the type of meat based on the antigen-antibody relationship of proteins.
  • Microscopic Analysis: Identifies the type of meat by examining tissue characteristics in products.
  • Chemical Analysis: Determines the type of meat by measuring components such as fat, protein, and collagen.
In our laboratories located across many regions of Turkey, we perform “Meat Species Identification” procedures on all raw, processed, cooked, and canned meat products with TÜRKAK accreditation.


Poultry Meat Search ELISA-TEK- Cooked Poultry Species Kit
Pig DNA Search Kit Method (Analytikjena, InnuDETECT Pork Assay), Kit Method (DNeasy Mericon Food Kit QIAGEN)
Sheep DNA Search Kit Method (Bosphore Species Identification Kit Sheep v1), Kit Method (Magrev Tissue Genomic DNA Extraction Kit, Anatolia geneworks)
Goat DNA Search Kit Method (Bosphore Species Identification Kit Goat v1), Kit Method (Magrev Tissue Genomic DNA Extraction Kit, Anatolia geneworks)
Chicken DNA Search Kit Method (KOGENEBIOTECH, PowerChek Chicken species Real-time PCR Kit with EPC), Kit Method (DNeasy Mericon Food Kit QIAGEN)
Cattle DNA Search Kit Method (Bosphore, Species Identification Kit Bovine), Kit Method (DNeasy Mericon Food Kit QIAGEN/Tissue Genomic DNA Extraction Kit)
Fish DNA Search Kit Method (Bosphore, Species Identification Kit Fish), Kit Method (DNeasy Mericon Food Kit QIAGEN/Tissue Genomic DNA Extraction Kit)
Horse DNA Search Kit Method (Bosphore, Species Identification Kit Horse), Kit Method (DNeasy Mericon Food Kit QIAGEN)
Donkey DNA Search Kit Method (Bosphore Species Identification Kit Horse-Donkey), Kit Method (DNeasy Mericon Food Kit QIAGEN)
6868