Screening for Genetically Modified Plants (GMO) and Identification of Non-marker Events in Food and Feed

Introduction: Screening for the transgenic regulatory elements P-35S and T-NOS in food and feed samples has been the standard for testing presence or absence of genetic modified (GM) plants. Meanwhile, several GM plants have been designed, that do neither contain P-35S nor T-NOS, outdating this approach. BIOTECON Diagnostics’ new GMO screening strategy consists of a sophisticated combination of screening and identification assays for maximum coverage about the presence of GMOs. 

Purpose: BIOTECON Diagnostics has developed new real-time PCR GMO screening and identification assays, reducing time, effort and cost of analysis to a minimum.

Methods: The foodproof GMO Screening 1 and 2 LyoKits are targeting 8 different transgenic regulatory elements in total. Additionally, new three multiplex GMO Soya and Maize identification assays for the detection of events missing the commonly used regulatory sequences for screening have been developed. The foodproof Plant Detection LyoKit can be used to check for integrity of DNA and as a process control. The assays comply with ISO 21569 and the German Food Law § 64 LFGB for the detection of genetically modified DNA sequences. An internal amplification control is included.

Results: Specificity (Inclusivity/exclusivity) was verified against different modified and non-modified plants. 45 different matrices were tested successfully, including vegetable burger, soya products and fat. A new automated extraction protocol for the KingFisher Flex enables the analysis of matrices with low DNA content like soya lecithin. The assays showed to be robust enough for a sample volume variation between 20 and 30 µl. The absolute and relative limit of detection was determined.

Significance: The flexible GMO LyoKits screening and identification assays offer an easy and cost-effective approach for the analysis of genetically modified foods.