Ling, Ka Ho. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-157). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iv / 摘要 --- p.vii / Table of content --- p.ix / List of figures --- p.xiii / List of tables --- p.xv / Abbreviations --- p.xvi / Chapter 1 --- Food authentication --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction and definition --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Importance of species identification in food authentication --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Methods for species identification in food authentication --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4 --- Legislation --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives --- p.19 / Chapter 2 --- Molecular authentication and antitussive bioassay of Stemona root (Baibu) and root of Asparagus filicinus (Xiao-baibu) --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusions --- p.44 / Chapter 3 --- Rapid detection of oilfish and escolar in fish steaks: a tool to prevent keriorrhea episodes --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.69 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusions --- p.75 / Chapter 4 --- Widespread adulteration of crocodile meat with python and water monitor meats --- p.76 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.89 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.96 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusions --- p.100 / Chapter 5 --- Authentication of dried and ready-to-eat hashima products --- p.101 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2 --- Source species of hashima --- p.103 / Chapter 5.3 --- Materials and methods --- p.106 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results --- p.116 / Chapter 5.5 --- Discussion --- p.119 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusions --- p.121 / Chapter 6 --- General conclusions --- p.122 / Chapter 6.1 --- Key findings --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2 --- Applications and implications --- p.123 / Chapter 7 --- References --- p.124