Methods of DNA isolation from poultry meal

Abstract

Legal regulations concerning BSE prevention stipulate a total ban on the addition of animal meals to the feed of animals whose meat is intended for consumption (Council Decision 2000/766/EC). Council Regulation 1774/2002/EC allows the use of animal meals in non-ruminant feeds on the condition that the meals contain no material originating from the same species as the animals fed. Poultry meals are an animal component whose use is allowed by the latter regulation. The standard method of animal component identification (using silica) was found to be effective for poultry and feather meals, but not for blood meal. Isolation of DNA from blood spots was unsuccessful. Only the use of a Sherlock kit enabled a PCR product to be obtained. The sensitivity of the identification method from poultry blood meal was shown to be 2%. Analysis of poultry meal, feather meal and blood meal contaminated with bovine meal shows that the methods used for isolating DNA were effective.