Identification of meat from yak and cattle using SNP markers with integrated allele-specific polymerase chain reaction-capillary electrophoresis method.

Correct species identification is necessary for meat product quality assurance. Genetic markers are useful tools to accurately determine the animal source of meat products. To better protect yak meat and its products, ten single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci from bovine meat-related genes and one positive control primer set were selected to discriminate meat sourced from yak or cattle. A multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis method was employed for SNP genotyping. The samples were identified as from yak or cattle based on the number of amplicons. Yak samples generally produced one to three amplicon peaks, and the cattle samples yielded five or more peaks in the electropherogram. This method could be useful to distinguish yak meat from cattle beef, and would protect consumers and yak meat producers.