Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Detection of genetically modified foods by PCR technology

International Conference and Exhibition on Food Processing & Technology

November 22-24, 2012 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Nelly Datukishvili

Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

In recent years, global distribution of transgenic plants dramatically increased application of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production. The detection of genetically modified food is of crucial importance for food quality and safety assessment, labeling, consumer information and international trade. DNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most effective and precise technology for detecting and tracing GMOs in raw materials as well as in highly processed food. The aim of this study was to develop and optimize new PCR-based methods for effective screening of genetically engineered foods. The commonly used GMO regulatory elements, namely: cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline synthase (NOS) terminator were selected and several sets of oligonucleotide primers were designed for them using bioinformatic tools. The important GM plants such as soybean and maize were chosen as objects for the study and certified reference materials consisting of 0, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% Roundup Ready soybean (RRS) and maize Bt-176 were analyzed. The amplifiability of genomic DNAs was checked using plant-specific, species-specific and GMO-specific PCR. The PCR products were evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis. After optimization of the PCR conditions two pairs of new primers gave positive results. The PCR specific for 35S promoter generated 141 bp DNA fragment and PCR specific for NOS terminator gave 224 bp amplified product. The analysis of processed products of GM soybean and GM maize indicate that PCR methods developed are suitable for effective screening of genetically modified foods.

Biography :

Nelly Datukishvili obtained the doctoral degree in 1997 from the I.Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (Georgia). She worked in the area of molecular biology and biotechnology at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biological Physics (Tbilisi), Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology (Moscow), Agricultural Biotechnology Center (Godollo, Hungary), Gent Agricultural Research Centre (IVLO, Belgium). Since 2004 Dr. Datukishvili has initiated molecular study and analysis of genetically modified plants and foods in Georgia. Currently, she leads the GMO group, is an Assistant Professor and a manager of scientific projects. She has more than 30 publications and presentations