Advanced DNA Methods for Food Authenticity
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 769
Special Issue Editors
Interests: food authenticity; species identification; DNA; LAMP; PCR; isothermal amplification
Interests: biosensors; point-of-care testing; food safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: biosensors; rapid identification; food authenticity; microfluidic chip
Interests: DNA; PCR; DNA sequencing; molecular evolution; DNA barcoding; molecular phylogenetics; population genetics; marine biology; teleosts; biomarker of environmental pollution; molecular marker; food traceability; molecular species identification; transposable elements; cell biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In recent years, food authenticity has emerged as a critical issue in the realm of food science and consumer protection. With the globalization of trade and the increasing complexity of food supply chains, concerns over the authenticity of food products have become more prominent, drawing widespread attention from various stakeholders. Food authenticity refers to the consistency between a food product and its claimed origin, composition, and production process. It encompasses various aspects such as the geographical source, raw materials used, manufacturing methods, and labeling of a food item. The importance of food authenticity cannot be overstated. It is not only about protecting the rights and health of consumers, but it is also about ensuring the sustainable development of the food industry. Therefore, it is urgent to strengthen the regulation and safeguarding of food authenticity.
Over the years, diverse analytical techniques and pillars of quality assurance, with unique advantages, have been developed to ensure food authenticity, mainly relying on protein and DNA. Protein-based techniques cannot always be effective, particularly for products undergoing drastic thermal treatments that could destroy the biochemical structure and alter the chemical properties of proteins. Instead, several advantages with DNA, such as high specificity, sensitivity, and reliable performance with highly processed products, have made DNA-based molecular identification the most frequently used technique. PCR is the standard method for DNA-based authenticity testing, and further advances in PCR assay technology have led to the development of more sensitive and less labor-intensive assays, such as RT-PCR and digital droplet PCR. Additionally, as an emerging technology, non-PCR based methods also allow convenient species identification (e.g. nanopore sequencing), the use of time-saving and less expensive approaches (e.g. isothermal amplifications), and precise and highly specific techniques (e.g. locked nucleic acid biosensors). In particular, the integration of DNA-based biosensors for onsite applications can offer a proactive, efficient, and cost-effective approach to ensure authenticity throughout the supply chain. To this end, it is imperative to gather all these advancements promptly and integrate them into a dedicated Special Issue. By disseminating these innovations to industrial risk-management systems, legislators, scholars, and other potential readers, we can enhance the progress towards developing precise and effective analytical methods that safeguard food quality and prevent food fraud.
This Special Issue calls for research and review papers in any of the following fields: novel PCR-based approaches for rapid and sensitive food authentication; isothermal amplification methods leveraged for onsite detection; electrochemical and optical DNA-based biosensors focused on food authentication; and other related novel analytic methods and techniques for food authentication.
Dr. Xiong Xiong
Dr. Yuanjian Liu
Dr. Yan Man
Dr. Anna Maria Pappalardo
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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Keywords
- food adulteration
- food fraud
- DNA
- biosensors
- isothermal amplification
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