Sequential use of real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques verifies adulteration of fermented sausages with chicken meat

OBJECTIVE: Detection of adulteration in processed meats is an important issue for some countries due to substitution of beef with a cheaper source of protein like poultry. In this study, the presence of chicken meat was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques to verify adulteration of fermented sausage samples. METHODS: A total of 60 commercial samples were collected from 20 establishments in three replicates including 10 fermented sausage manufacturers and 10 butchers to investigate the presence of chicken meat with the sequential use of real-time PCR and ELISA techniques. In addition, pH, moisture content, water activity and color values of the samples were determined. RESULTS: Both real-time PCR and ELISA showed agreement on the presence or absence of chicken meat in 55 out of 60 fermented sausage samples and chicken meat was identified with both methods in 16 samples. Five samples produced inconsistent results for the presence of chicken meat in the first run. Nevertheless, the presence of chicken meat was verified with both methods when these samples were analyzed for the second time. In addition, the average physico-chemical values of the fermented sausage samples tested positive for chicken meat were not significantly different from some of those fermented sausage samples tested negative for the chicken meat. CONCLUSION: The sequential use of real-time PCR and ELISA techniques in fermented sausages could be beneficial for the government testing programs to eliminate false negatives for detection of adulteration with chicken meat. Furthermore, consumers should not rely on some of the quality cues including color to predict the adulteration of fermented sausages with chicken meat since there were no statistical differences among some of the samples tested positive and negative for chicken meat.