Qualitative detection of genetically modified material in crops and food products containing maize and soybean in Algeria

Distribution and degradation of DNA from non-genetically and genetically modified soybean (Roundup Ready): Impact of soybean protein concentrate and soybean protein isolate preparation

To improve genetically modified product labelling legislation and promote the development of genetically modified foods, the mass variations of genomic DNA and length distributions of DNA fragments in non-genetically and genetically modified soybean (Roundup Ready) and the variations in transgenic contents during soybean protein concentrate (SPC) and soybean protein isolate (SPI) preparation were monitored. The material masses throughout the process conformed to the law of mass conservation, and amounts of DNA recovered decreased with SPC and SPI preparation. The successive steps of ethanol extraction led to a decrease in the size distribution of the recovered DNA. For the LECTIN and CP4 EPSPS targets investigated, longer fragments (>800 bp) were more affected than smaller fragments (<200 bp), and both targets degraded slowly upon degradation into small fragments. DNA distribution and degradation thereby affected GMO quantification. After preparation procedures, the transgenic contents of SPC and SPI products were higher than that of raw soybean.

Monitoring and traceability of genetically modified soya bean event GTS 40-3-2 during soya bean protein concentrate and isolate preparation

To evaluate DNA fragmentation and GMO quantification during soya bean protein concentrate and isolate preparation, genetically modified soya bean event GTS 40-3-2 (Roundup ReadyTM soya bean, RRS) was blended with conventional soya beans at mass percentages of 0.9%, 2%, 3%, 5% and 10%. Qualitative PCR and real-time PCR were used to monitor the taxon-specific lectin and exogenous cp4 epsps target levels in all of the main products and by-products, which has practical significance for RRS labelling threshold and traceability. Along the preparation chain, the majority of DNA was distributed in main products, and the DNA degradation was noticed. From a holistic perspective, the lectin target degraded more than cp4 epsps target during both of the two soya bean proteins preparations. Therefore, the transgenic contents in the final protein products were higher than the actual mass percentages of RRS in raw materials. Our results are beneficial to the improvement of GMO labelling legislation and the protection of consumer rights.