Differentiation of Cattle and Buffalo by PCR-RFLP method

Abstract

In view of the ever increasing frauds like killing of cows for meat purpose, substitution of meat and presence of unknown animal species in food, it has become necessary to identify the species of animals to protect people from health, economic, religious and legal aspects. Considering the need of identification of domestic animals, PCR based molecular techniques were used. The DNA from cattle and buffalo were isolated by alcohol-chloroform method and
subjected to PCR assay using species specific primers to observe the band pattern. The present study revealed that PCR assay could differentiate cattle and buffalo together. The PCR reaction for species specific primers with DNA extracted from blood as well as muscles samples of both the cattle and buffalo revealed bands at 603base pairs. Therefore the samples were subjected for PCR-RFLP method, wherein it revealed bands at 191 and 169 base pairs for buffalo samples while cattle showed band at 359 base pairs. Thus RFLP was found necessary to differentiate cattle and buffalo species.