Identification of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), grouper (Epinephelus guaza), and wreck fish (Polyprion americanus) fillets by PCR amplification of the 5S rDNA gene.

Nile perch (Lates niloticus), grouper (Epinephelus guaza), and wreck fish (Polyprion americanus) were differentiated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the nuclear 5S rDNA gene. The design of 3 species-specific primers complementary to the nontranscribed intergenic spacer region from the 5S rDNA molecule allowed amplification of clearly distinguishable gene fragments in each fish species. This approach is rapid and reliable and offers the potential to detect fraudulent or unintentional mislabeling of these species in routine seafood authentication analysis.