High resolution melting analysis of a COI mini-barcode as a new approach for Penaeidae shrimp species discrimination

•HRM analysis targeting COI gene was developed for penaeid shrimp differentiation.•Five Penaeidae species were discriminated in distinct clusters.•The method was successfully applied to analyse processed seafood samples.•F. indicus and L. vannamei were the main species identified in the samples.•Results suggest adulterations based on the substitution of labelled species.

Penaeidae family includes shrimp species of high commercial value, sharing noticeable morphological similarities, which makes them potential targets of adulteration. Therefore, mechanisms for authentication and certification of such crustaceans, frequently included in processed foods, constitute a benefit for the food industry. Litopenaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon, Fenneropenaeus indicus, Metapenaeus affinis and Melicertus kerathurus are some of the most relevant penaeid shrimps, being their differentiation of high importance. This work intended to develop a new approach for the specific detection and differentiation of those five closely related shrimp species based on high resolution melting (HRM) analysis targeting a cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mini-barcode. The method enabled the differentiation of the five species with high levels of confidence (>99%), being successfully applied to analyse processed seafood samples. F. indicus and L. vannamei were the main identified species in the commercial products. When verifying labelling compliance, four samples suggest adulterations based on the complete or partial substitution of declared species. The proposed method proved to be a potential tool for the rapid and cost-effective differentiation of penaied shrimp species.