Detection of peanut using real-time polymerase chain reaction

Preliminary results are presented on a sensitive and robust assay for the identification of peanut in commercial products using real-time PCR technology. Peanut specific primers and probe, designed using the Arah 2 gene, were optimised for real-time PCR using an ABI PRISM 7700. Commercial extraction kits employing different technological strategies were assessed for the extraction of PCR quality peanut DNA template. The specificity of the primer and probe set was determined using a wide range of food items and the limit of detection and quantification calculated using dilutions of peanut DNA. The assay was used to detect spiked or trace level of peanut in commercial samples and was finally used to detect peanut in a biscuit prepared with 2 ppm of lightly roasted peanut powder.