The College of Agriculture at the University of Basra organized a two-day specialized scientific course on "Using Modern Technologies to Detect Adulteration in Meat and Meat Products."

The course aimed to cover the most prominent methods used to detect meat adulteration and identify its animal sources, as part of its efforts to enhance scientific and health awareness among faculty members, researchers, and students.

The course included a theoretical component, featuring a detailed presentation of the most important physical, chemical, and molecular tests used to detect adulteration in meat and meat products. It highlighted the advantages and limitations of each method, as well as the main challenges associated with them in terms of accuracy, speed, and cost.

The course also addressed several zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans through meat or as a result of handling it in unsanitary conditions. These included Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, anthrax, brucellosis, and foot-and-mouth disease. The course explained their health risks and the importance of early diagnosis and adherence to preventive and control measures to limit their spread.

The practical component of the course included a field visit to the Genetic Engineering Laboratory, where participants learned about modern molecular techniques used to detect meat adulteration and determine its animal origins, particularly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. This helped bridge the gap between theory and practice and enhanced the participants' laboratory skills.

Media and Government Communication Division / College of Agriculture