Authentication of meat and commercial meat products from common pigeon (Columba livia) woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) and stock pigeon (Columba oenas) using a TaqMan® real-time PCR assay

A species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using TaqMan® probes has been developed for the identification of meat and meat products from common pigeon (Columba livia), woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) and stock pigeon (Columba oenas). The method combines the use of species-specific primers and TaqMan® probes that amplify small fragments (amplicons < 200 base pairs) of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene, and an endogenous control primer pair that amplifies a 141 bp fragment of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene from eukaryotic DNA. Analysis of experimental raw and heat-treated binary mixtures as well as of commercial meat products from the target species, demonstrated the suitability of the assay for the detection of the target DNAs. The PCR assay reported in this work could be useful in inspection programs to verify the correct labelling of raw and heat-treated pigeon meat products.

► A real-time PCR assay has been developed for the detection of pigeon species. ► The assay is based in the use of species-specific primers and TaqMan probes. ► The method has allowed the detection of pigeon species in meat mixtures. ► The PCR technique was also used to verify the correct labelling of pigeon meat products.