Detection of gluten-containing cereals in flours and “gluten-free” bakery products by polymerase chain reaction

A polymerase chain reaction-based method for the detection of gluten-containing cereals in flours and “gluten-free” bakery products was optimized and its intralaboratory validation was carried out. The optimized method involved DNA isolation by chaotropic solid-phase extraction and PCR with primers of Dahinden et al. [Dahinden I., von Büren M., Lüthy J., 2001. A quantitative competitive PCR system to detect contamination of wheat, barley and rye in gluten-free food for coeliac patients. European Food Research and Technology 212, 228–233]. Using purified DNA, intrinsic detection limit of 42 ± 12 pg was determined, which corresponds to 10° genome copies. By the analysis of a panel of 26 European wheat cultivars and flours from six non-gluten-containing plants, which are commonly used for the production of gluten-free bakery products, inclusivity of 100% and exclusivity of 100% were determined. By the analysis of model samples of soya flour and cakes, detection limit of 0.1% (w/w) of fine wheat flour was determined, which is suitable for the analysis of “gluten-free” food products, as it is approximately equivalent to the limit of 10 mg per 100 g for gluten stated by Codex Alimentarius. The method was successfully applied to four samples of flours and 13 brands of biscuits designated “gluten-free”, out of which two flours and one brand of biscuits were found positive for gluten-containing cereals. The method proved to be suitable for routine use, it was relatively straightforward and could be completed in one working day.