title: First application of a microsphere-based immunoassay to the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs): quantification of Cry1Ab protein in genetically modified maize.
abstract: An innovative covalent microsphere immunoassay, based on the usage of fluorescent beads coupled to a specific antibody, was developed for the quantification of the endotoxin Cry1Ab present in MON810 and Bt11 genetically modified (GM) maize lines. In particular, a specific protocol was developed to assess the presence of Cry1Ab in a very broad range of GM maize concentrations, from 0.1 to 100% [weight of genetically modified organism (GMO)/weight]. Test linearity was achieved in the range of values from 0.1 to 3%, whereas fluorescence signal increased following a nonlinear model, reaching a plateau at 25%. The limits of detection and quantification were equal to 0.018 and 0.054%, respectively. The present study describes the first application of quantitative high-throughput immunoassays in GMO analysis.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and GMOs Unit, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, DG-Joint Research Centre, European Commission, I-2120 Ispra (Va), Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fantozzi
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ermolli
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scotti
authors.forename: Branko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balla
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Querci
authors.forename: Stephen R H
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Langrell
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van den Eede
mesh_terms: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D008863:Microspheres; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis