Sensitive and specific detection of pine nut (Pinus spp.) by real-time PCR in complex food products

The method displayed a very high efficiency and specificity for the genus Pinus. The intrinsic LOD was 1 pg of DNA, while the practical LOD evaluated on model foods was 0.1 ppm of pine nuts powder, the lowest ever registered for the detection of food allergens via real-time PCR. Finally, the declared presence/absence of pine nut in commercial foods was confirmed.