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Science Quickly

Chromosomes Combat Counterfeit Caviar

Science Quickly

Scientific American

Science

4.2639 Ratings

🗓️ 3 June 2017

⏱️ 2 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Researchers found unique genetic variants that differentiate costly beluga caviar from cheaper fakes that rip off consumers. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Understanding the human body is a team effort. That's where the Yachtel group comes in.

0:05.8

Researchers at Yachtolt have been delving into the secrets of probiotics for 90 years.

0:11.0

Yacold also partners with nature portfolio to advance gut microbiome science through the global grants for gut health, an investigator-led research program.

0:19.6

To learn more about Yachtolt, visit yawcp.co.j.jot.com.j, that's y-A-K-U-L-T-C-O.J-P.

0:28.4

When it comes to a guide for your gut, count on Yacol.

0:33.7

This is Scientific American's 60-second science. I'm Christopher in Taliatta.

0:39.1

Caviar is one of the world's priciest foods. It can cost thousands of dollars a pound.

0:44.4

And caviar from the beluga sturgeon is the most exclusive of all. But even the experts

0:49.2

have a hard time telling the eggs from two different species apart by appearance alone.

0:54.0

So scientists came up with a method that's more than meets the eye,

0:57.0

a genetic test that identifies variations in nuclear DNA that are unique to the beluga,

1:02.0

and its cousin the Stirlet.

1:04.0

The test can differentiate row of those two species from that of eight other species of sturgeon.

1:09.0

Best part, given Caviar's premium price, the test requires just a single egg.

1:15.0

The studies in the journal's scientific reports.

1:17.6

The researchers say that by definitively identifying the real stuff, the test could prop up its high price.

1:23.4

But the effort's not just of interest to the one percenters.

1:26.3

Genetic verification could also be used for conservation.

1:29.8

Bulugas are critically endangered.

1:31.9

And since they hybridize with other sturgeon species,

1:34.8

conservationists need to make sure that farm-raised fish

1:37.2

they plan to reintroduce into the wild are the real thing,

...

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