Objective: To identify the original species of fish maw sold in Guangzhou market by DNA barcoding technology.
Methods: Mitochondrial cytochrome C subunit I (CO I) gene fragment of eleven fish maw samples were amplified and sequenced with the self-designed primers. UPGMA phylogenetic tree were constructed for clustering analysis. The species origin of each sample was identified with the identification engine provided in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD).
Results: The self-designed primers were effective in fish maw CO I amplification and sequencing, with success rates both of 100%. BOLD identification and UPGMA clustering analysis indicated the fish maw samples were derived from five fish species of three families.
Conclusion: DNA barcoding combined with BOLD identification system can accurately identify the species origin of commercial fish maw.