Analysis of flour and food samples for cry9C from bioengineered corn.
StarLink corn is a variety of yellow corn that has been genetically modified by the insertion of an altered cry9C gene into the plant genome. resulting in expression of the insecticidal Cry9C protein. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved StarLink corn for use in animal feed but not in food intended for human consumption. Therefore, under the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, any food intended for human consumption in which the presence of StarLink corn is indicated by the presence of either the Cry9C protein or the cry9C gene would be considered adulterated. Extraction and PCR-based methods were used to detect the presence of the cry9C DNA initially in corn flour and corn meal, and then these methods were extended to the analysis of processed corn products, including taco shells, cereals, baby foods, party snacks, and chips, for the presence of this modified genetic material. In a survey of 63 products, the cry9C transgene was detected in 4 taco shells.
Orlandi
Palmer A
PA
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC 20204, USA.
Lampel
Keith A
KA
South
Paul K
PK
Assar
Samir K
SK
Carter
Laurenda
L
Levy
Dan D
DD
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005433:Flour; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D006801:Humans; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis