title: Development of a seven-target multiplex PCR for the simultaneous detection of transgenic soybean and maize in feeds and foods.
abstract: The detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed is an important issue for all the subjects involved in raw material control, food industry, and distribution. Because the number of GMOs authorized in the EU increased during the past few years, there is a need for methods that allow a rapid screening of products. In this paper, we propose a method for the simultaneous detection of four transgenic maize (MON810, Bt11, Bt 176, and GA21) and one transgenic soybean (Roundup Ready), which allows routine control analyses to be sped up. DNA was extracted either from maize and soybean seeds and leaves or reference materials, and the recombinant DNA target sequences were detected with 7 primer pairs, accurately designed to be highly specific for each investigated transgene. Cross and negative controls were performed to ensure the specificity of each primer pair. The method was validated on an interlaboratory ring test and good analytical parameters were obtained (LOD = 0.25%, Repeatability, (r) = 1; Reproducibility, (R) = 0.9). The method was then applied to a model biscuit made of transgenic materials baked for the purpose and to real samples such as feed and foodstuffs. On account of the high recognition specificity and the good detection limits, this multiplex PCR represents a fast and reliable screening method directly applicable in all the laboratories involved in raw material and food control.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Industriale, Università di Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germini
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salati
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forré
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Rosangela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marchelli
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fogher
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013025:Glycine max / Q000235:genetics*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant