Species Identification of Anisakis Parasites in Mae Klong Mackerel from Thailand Using DNA Barcoding

Abstract

Anisakis parasites significantly impact public health. Unlike most other fish-borne parasites, which are typically associated with freshwater seafood, Anisakids are primarily linked to marine fish. This parasite has also been detected in Mae Klong mackerel. However, the morphological similarities among members of the Anisakis genus make species-level identification through morphological methods challenging. Consequently, DNA barcoding was employed to confirm the species level of the Anisakis parasite found in Mae Klong mackerel. Our study determined that the Anisakis parasites from Maeklong mackerel were identified as A. typica, based on comparisons with published sequences in the GenBank database. The results of the phylogenetic tree analysis corroborated this identification, demonstrating a clear clustering of our samples with A. typica sequences from the database. Thus, we underscore the importance of safe consumption practices to mitigate the risk of Anisakis infections and emphasizes the need for public education on the dangers of consuming raw fish, advocating adherence to food safety guidelines, such as thorough cooking or appropriate freezing.