Nucleotide Testing

A nucleotide is a molecule that serves as the basic building block of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. It is composed of three parts: a five-carbon sugar molecule, a nitrogen-containing base, and a phosphate group. The sugar molecule can be either ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA. The nitrogen-containing bases used in DNA are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T), while in RNA, uracil (U) replaces thymine. The Nucleotide database is a collection of sequences from several sources, including GenBank, RefSeq, TPA, and PDB. ^{[1, 2].}

Nucleotide testing is a type of genetic testing that analyzes the DNA sequence of an individual's genes. It involves identifying the specific sequence of nucleotides (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine) that make up an individual's DNA. This type of testing can be used to identify genetic mutations or variations that may be associated with certain diseases or conditions. . ^[3].

 Dietary Source of Nucleotide ⁽⁴⁾

Nucleotides are found in many foods. However, most foods contain only small amounts of nucleotides. Some foods that are relatively high in nucleotides include:

• Organ meats, such as liver and kidney
• Certain fish and seafood, such as salmon, tuna, and sardines
• Mushrooms, especially shiitake mushrooms
• Yeast extract, such as Marmite or Vegemite
• Breast milk
• While nucleotide supplements are available, it is always recommended to speak with a healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplements, including nucleotide supplements, to determine if they are appropriate for your individual needs and health status. Additionally, it is important to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and to purchase supplements from a reputable source to ensure

Importance ^{(4, 5)}

Adulteration in Nucleotide ^{(6, 7)}

Adulteration in nucleotides can occur when food manufacturers or suppliers intentionally add low-quality or synthetic nucleotides to foods in order to increase their perceived value or to reduce costs. This can lead to a number of potential health hazards, as synthetic or low-quality nucleotides may not provide the same benefits as naturally occurring nucleotides. Some potential risks associated with adulterated nucleotides include:

Market overview ⁽⁹⁾

The market for nucleotides in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by a surge in demand and an increasing preference for dietary nucleotides. This has led to a projected market size of USD 550.10 Million in 2021, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.

Regulations and standards ⁽⁹⁾

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India recently issued a Direction under section 16 (5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which discussed the operationalization of various food products under FSS, such as Health supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Dietary Use, and Food for Medical Purposes, including Prebiotic and Probiotics. The previous Gazette was amended from FSS Regulation 2016 to the new FSS (Nutra) Regulations, 2022, to provide clear and concise information about these food products. Although the final draft publication may be delayed, Annexure 1 will be effective from April 1, 2022, along with Annexure 2 (Schedule as applicable) and Annexure 3 (list of additives). The New FSS regulation 2022 will supersede the FSS regulation for Nutraceuticals.

Labelling conditions are also included for each product category. Manufacturers must label their products with the word "Health supplement/Nutraceutical Food for special dietary use/Food for special medical purpose/Prebiotic food/probiotic food" and specify the recommended age group for use. Annexure I provides details on the scope, requirements, and labelling for each product category.

Eurofins role in testing nucleotides

Eurofins is a global leader in testing services for a wide range of industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and environmental testing. In the context of nucleotide testing, Eurofins provides a variety of services for the detection and analysis of nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. Eurofins offers a range of nucleotide testing services for various applications, including:

• DNA and RNA sequencing: Eurofins provides sequencing services for various applications, including whole genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and targeted sequencing.
• PCR testing: Eurofins offers PCR-based testing for the detection of nucleic acids in a wide range of samples, including food, water, and environmental samples.
• Microarray testing: Eurofins provides microarray-based testing for the detection of genetic variations, gene expression profiling, and genotyping.
• Next-generation sequencing: Eurofins offers next-generation sequencing (NGS) services for the analysis of DNA and RNA samples, including whole genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and targeted sequencing.

Overall, Eurofins plays an important role in nucleotide testing by providing reliable and accurate testing services to ensure the safety and quality of various products and services.

References

1. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Nucleotide
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nucleotide/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310460/
4. Dancey, C., Attree, E., & Brown, K. (2006). Nucleotide supplementation: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of IntestAidIB in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome [ISRCTN67764449]. Nutrition Journal, 5, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-5-16
5. https://www.novocib.com/Nucleotide_Analysis_Services.html
6. Van Buren CT, Kulkarni AD, Rudolph FB. The role of nucleotides in adult nutrition. J Nutr. 1994 Jan;124(1 Suppl):160S-164S. doi: 10.1093/jn/124.suppl_1.160S. PMID: 8283308.
7. Gao, Z., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Song, J., Chen, S., Ragupathy, S., Han, J., & Newmaster, S. G. (2017). Derivative Technology of DNA Barcoding (Nucleotide Signature and SNP Double Peak Methods) Detects Adulterants and Substitution in Chinese Patent Medicines. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-05892-y
8. https://www.reportsanddata.com/press-release/global-nucleotide-market
9. https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2022/11/63849e4f8ba75Direction_Nutra_28_11_2022.pdf

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