Subject: DNA/PCR, Heat Destruction Through Rendering

I'm hoping you may be able to put into lay terms a paper I have, Development 
of a polymerase chain reaction-based method to identify species-specific 
components in dog food," AJVR, Vol. 65, No 1, January 2004.  Scientist 
undertook a study on dry commercial dog food in order to ascertain the 
spiecies contained in the food.  "Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was 
performed in dog food samples by use of PCR primers specific for either, 
canine, feline, equine, bovine, porcine, ovine, or poultry mtDNA.  They were 
searching for species which may have been euthanized with pentobarbital found 
in the pet foods.  They ruled out horses, cattle, dogs, cats, with PCR primers 
indicating that the materials might have come from swine or sheep but the 
labels on the foods did not indicate that these animals were used in the 
foods.  The conclusion "Although the results of our study narrow the search 
for the source of pentobarbital, it does not define the source (ie, species) 
responsible."  Would the heat of rendering plus the processing and extruding 
of these dry foods degrade DNA from the product. 
My sincere thanks for any help you can provide. 

[The complete reference (and PubMed link) is : 

Myers MJ, Farrell DE, Heller DN, Yancy HF.
Development of a polymerase chain reaction-based method to identify species-
specific components in dog food.
Am J Vet Res. 2004 Jan;65(1):99-103.  
 - SM, Moderator]

Re: DNA/PCR, Heat Destruction Through Rendering