PCR-RFLP approaches to easily identify Pleuronectes platessa from other flatfishes: A rapid and efficient tool to control label information

Abstract

European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) is quite frequently substituted with other flatfish, especially with Yellow fin sole (Limanda aspera), which differs not only in meat quality but also particularly in its origin and manipulation chain. We propose an integrated approach of laboratory and in silico mtDNA PCR-RFLP procedures generating a set of restriction patterns easily resolvable in agarose gel, able to discriminate with certainty P. platessa from other 20 flatfish species. The herein proposed procedure is an economical and valid tool in detecting mislabelled seafoods.