A simple Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the differentiation of cephalopod mollusc families Loliginidae from Ommastrephidae, to avoid substitutions in the fishery field

In order to provide a tool for the prevention of commercial frauds in fish products, a simple polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method has been developed. This method allows to clearly differentiate molluscs belonging to the family Loliginidae from those belonging to the family Ommastrephidae. Cephalopods' 16S r-DNA was amplified with PCR using a "universal" primer pair, and the amplification product was digested with Asnl restriction enzyme. The resulting electrophoretic patterns of families Loliginidae and Ommastrephidae showed characteristic 200 bp band and 600-700 bp band, respectively. With this methodology, the analysed species belonging to the genus Loligo have also been differentiated.