Identification of species origin of cooked meats using antisera to testicular antigens

Abstract

The immunological methods of detect ion of adulteration of meats have been reviewed upto date and lacunae were identified. It was decided to identify the presence of species-specific antigens in the testicular proteins of the food animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat. The antigens were extracted by cold saline, boiled and ethanol precipitated. Both kind of, the antigens were used to immunize rabbits, as well as phylogenetically closely related food animals. Well recognised and simple tests like DID, IE, CIE and RIE were used using standard procedures. newlineThe results of the study showed that the antisera raised against native and heated antigens in rabbits showed cross reactions between meat extracts of the homologous and heterologous hosts. To make them monospecific, glutaraldehyde treated immuno adsorbent was developed, which proved highly useful for the identification of the specific antigens. These sera could detect upto 10 to 20% level of adulteration in fresh and cooked samples respectively, newline newline