Development of DNA Microarray for Species Identification of Eels (Anguilliformes and Myxiniformes) in Korean Fisheries Markets

Abstract

In Korea, eels are one of the most commercially valuable species and are prepared as a variety of dishes. Korean A. japonica is especially preferred by most consumers. However, the farming technology for this particular eel species has not been established yet, and the natural supply is insufficient because of environmental problems. As a result, the price of Korean A. japonica is expensive compared to other eel species because of the superior freshness and safety of the domestic product. Consequently, some importers and restaurant owners have profited significantly from selling imported eels to consumers as Korean A. japonica products. Hence, simpler, rapid and accurate techniques for eel species differentiation are needed. In this study, origin and species specific probes were designed by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene analysis and DNA microanay was developed for identifying different origins and species of eels. Using this technique, a total of 8 different eels were rapidly identified successfully.