Regarding the prospective investigation of food authenticity and adulteration the aim of the present study was the development and validation of a real-time PCR assay to identify hemp (Cannabis sativa) which has gained increasing importance as a valuable food ingredient. The assay targets a specific spacer DNA sequence in Cannabis sativa chloroplasts and detects 1.5 pg hemp DNA, which is equivalent to 18 copies/µL. Corresponding to the very low LOD (0.00031 ng/µL) the method allows the detection of hemp even in the infinitesimal concentration of contaminants. Due to a SNP in position 603, hemp can be identified unequivocally and discriminated from its closest relative hops (Humulus lupulus). The PCR method shows no cross-reactivity with 39 of 46 tested plant species. Low cross-reactivity with mulberry, stinging nettle, lavender, cornflower, wine, figs and hops can be neglected, because the Δ Ct-values are > 14, and the obtained Ct-values are beyond the cut-off for a positive assessment (Ct-values ≤ 33). Moreover, the suitability of the method to identify hemp as a food ingredient was proved by analysing diverse food products such as chocolate or cookies.

关于食品真实性和掺假的前瞻性调查，本研究的目的是开发和验证实时 PCR 检测方法，以识别作为一种有价值的食品成分越来越重要的大麻（大麻）。该检测以大麻叶绿体中的特定间隔区 DNA 序列为目标，检测到 1.5 pg 大麻 DNA，相当于 18 个拷贝/μL。对应于非常低的 LOD (0.00031 ng/µL)，该方法即使在污染物浓度极低的情况下也能检测到大麻。由于位置 603 的 SNP，可以明确地识别出大麻并从其最近的相对跃点 ( Humulus lupulus) 中区分出来. PCR 方法显示与 46 个测试植物物种中的 39 个没有交叉反应。与桑树、荨麻、薰衣草、矢车菊、葡萄酒、无花果和啤酒花的低交叉反应性可以忽略不计，因为 Δ Ct 值 > 14，并且获得的 Ct 值超出了阳性评估的临界值（ Ct 值≤ 33)。此外，通过分析巧克力或饼干等各种食品，证明了该方法适用于将大麻识别为食品成分的方法。