Individual traceability of bovine meat using molecular markers

Abstract

In response to the confidence crisis of consumers and their regular disinterest on bovine meat, within the framework of efforts that are now developed to improve and secure bovine traceability, our aim was the proposal and validation of a method of individual identification of bovine meat via microsatellite molecular markers. Several samples were taken in vivo and post mortem from young cattle of INRA experimental farms. The 11 loci genotype determination, then the two-bytwo comparison of these genotypes using an adequate statistical method, taking into account the microsatellite particularities, allowed us to propose some advises on the typing effort (marker number) necessary for assuring a perfect traceability on one hand, and on essential precautions to be taken in large scale implementation, i.e. sample management, on the other hand.