Rapid molecular typing method for the reliable detection of Asiatic black truffle (Tuber indicum) in commercialized products:: fruiting bodies and mycorrhizal seedlings

Although authorized for the French market, the Asiatic black truffle, Tuber indicum, may potentially be sold as I: melanosporum, the Perigord black truffle, due to difficulties in distinguishing between them by morphological criteria. A molecular method using a DNA extraction kit and specific primers based on the interspecific polymorphism of the internal transcript spacer DNA region has allowed us to amplify I: indicum samples (mycorrhizas, fresh, dried, and frozen ascocarps) and even to detect as little as 1% of Asiatic truffle in a mixture of ground ascocarps or mycorrhizas containing ir: melanosporum. Our process is specific, sensitive, convenient and quick, so it could be used for the rapid detection of I: indicum in non-cooked food products and commercialized mycorrhizal seedlings to avoid the ecological damage which would result from its accidental introduction.