Monitoring of Bt11 and Bt176 genetically modified maize in food sold commercially in Brazil from 2005 to 2007.
BACKGROUND
The first genetically modified (GM) maize lines were approved for trading in Brazil after December 2007 and they were T25, MON810, Bt11, NK603 and GA21. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was employed to monitor the presence of Bt11 and nested PCR was used to detect the presence of Bt176 in 81 maize-derived products (maize flour, corn meal, maize flour flakes and polenta) that were sold in Brazilian market from 2005 to 2007, before the release of GM maize in Brazil.


RESULTS
The PCR detection limit for Bt11 was 10 g kg(-1) and for nested PCR of Bt176 it was 1 g kg(-1). All Brazilian samples analyzed showed no positive signal for these GM maize events.


CONCLUSIONS
Bt11 and Bt176 GM maize lines were not detected by specific PCR in 81 maize-derived food samples sold in Brazil from 2005 to 2007, before the commercial release of GM maize in Brazil. These Brazilian food industries were in compliance with the rules stipulated by the current legislation with respect to consumer requirements about GMO labeling.
Dinon
Andréia Z
AZ
Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88034-001 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Bosco
Kenia T
KT
Arisi
Ana Carolina M
AC
D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001938:Brazil; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D005433:Flour / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D005513:Food Inspection / Q000379:methods; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018744:DNA, Plant; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis; D000123:Acetyltransferases; C056243:phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase