Abstract:

Objective: This study aimed to establish a rapid method for specific identification of Apostichopus japonicas
(A. japonicas) by TaqMan® probe real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Methods: Two sets of specific primers
and probes were designed based on the COX1 and NAD4 genes of A. japonicas. Twenty-one sea cucumber samples were
detected by RT-qPCR in three parallel repetitions for each sample. The average Ct value, standard deviation and coefficient
of variation were calculated to evaluate the repeatability of the proposed detection method. Results: All the coefficients of
variations obtained were under 2%, indicating the good repeatability and stability of this method. This is an efficient and
handy method for rapid identification of A. japonicas, which overcomes the limitation of the conventional approach, and
combines the merits of high efficiency and low pollution of real-time PCR. Conclusion: This study would provide a valuable
reference for the identification and detection of A. japonicas.

Key words: real time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction, identification, Apostichopus japonicus