Advances in detection technologies are essential for creating a safer and more transparent food system. Recently, digital PCR has arisen as a newsworthy alternative to real-time PCR for plant species detection in processed and complex foods. Thus, we conducted two case studies: The detection of sesame (Sesamum indicum) as an allergenic food and the identification and quantification of bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) in plant food supplements for botanical authentication purposes. In a commercial set of samples, nanoplate digital PCR (ndPCR) approaches exhibited optimal sensitivity, acceptable performance parameters and robustness. The present work demonstrates the applicability of ndPCR for the detection of allergenic food ingredients and botanical species in complex and processed matrices for the first time, emphasizing this technique as a novel sensitive and specific tool to verify labeling compliance. Here, I present our methods and results. 

About the speaker
Caterina Villa, Researcher
REQUIMTE-LAQV/FFUP
Caterina Villa has a bachelor's degree in Applied Biology (University of Minho, Braga, Portugal), a master's degree in Quality Control (Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Porto) and a doctoral degree in Sustainable Chemistry (Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto). Since 2013, Caterina Villa has been working on food research, namely food allergens, food quality and authentication, detection of GMOs and food as a source of bioactive compounds. Presently, she is a Junior Researcher at REQUIMTE-LAQV/FFUP. Her principal research focus is the development of strategies for the reduction of food allergenicity and the establishment of DNA-based methods for allergen detection in foods.
Date of recording:Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Duration:60 minutes
Categories
Webinar
Microbiology
Food Testing
dPCR
Microbiome