PCR and antibody methods: Research compares two cattle feed tests that detect bovine byproduct contaminants

Abstract

Preventing the spread of mad cow disease through contaminated cattle feed is a major concern of beef and dairy producers, regulators and con- sumers around the world. Routine testing of cattle feeds for the pres- ence of banned substances is a criti- cal control point in assuring animal health and food safety. We compared the results of two test procedures (a real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay and a commercially avail- able ruminant antibody detection kit) on five cattle rations spiked with bovine meat-and-bone meal, or with bovine dried blood. The real-time PCR consistently detected these contami- nants at lower levels in each of these diverse cattle rations.