Genetic identification of black caviar based on microsatellite DNA analysis

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae) are producers of black caviar, which is sold world-wide. Black caviar differs widely in quality, availability, price and taste and for these reasons it is often the subject of commercial fraud. Identification of sturgeon species is frequently based on molecular methods such as analysis of nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA. In this study two fragments of microsatellite DNA: Afu-39 and Afu-68 were analyzed. In caviar samples, four alleles were observed in locus Afu-39, and six alleles in locus Afu-68. This paper describes the use of microsatellite DNA markers for species identification of black caviar.