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PCR Based Diagnostic for Species Identification of Red Snapper and Other…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Agriculture 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
83649 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
2007-00482 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
APPLIED FOOD TECHNOLOGIES LLC
3610 NW 42ND TERRACE Gainesville, FL 32606-8110
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: PCR Based Diagnostic for Species Identification of Red Snapper and Other Commercial Snapper Species
Agency: USDA
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $334,866.00
 

Abstract:

Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, is one of the most economically important fish species in the Gulf of Mexico. While there are numerous species of snapper marketed worldwide, in the United States L. campechanus is known as the true red snapper and the only species that can legally be labeled simply "Red Snapper". Another snapper species, Lutjanus purpureus, which is harvested in the South Atlantic and Caribbean Sea, can be labeled red snapper but requires the port of landing in the label such as Caribbean red snapper to indicate that it is not L. campechanus. Due to the significant price difference between L. campechanus and all other snapper species, it is common practice for distributors and retailers to simply label the product "Red Snapper" regardless of the species or country of origin label. In addition, the continued demand for red snapper has contributed to flagrant over fishing of the species. Misidentification of snapper at harvest, results in misrepresentation of a given snapper species population and negates species management efforts. We are proposing the development of an efficient, commercially available, PCR-based diagnostic that will utilize specifically developed DNA markers and provide the level of reproducible discrimination needed to generate a useful snapper species identification method. The development of our assay will provide the industry as well as federal, state, and private labs with a valuable tool for validating the authenticity of red snapper and for managing conservation efforts.

Principal Investigator:

LeeAnn Applewhite
Chief Executive Officer
3523769762
aplsci@bellsouth.net

Business Contact:

LeeAnn Applewhite
Chief Executive Officer
3523769762
aplsci@bellsouth.net
Small Business Information at Submission:

APPLIED FOOD TECHNOLOGIES LLC
3610 NW 42ND TERRACE Gainesville, FL 32606

EIN/Tax ID: 020723379
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No