title: Kernel compositions of glyphosate-tolerant and corn rootworm-protected MON 88017 sweet corn and insect-protected MON 89034 sweet corn are equivalent to that of conventional sweet corn (Zea mays).
abstract: Monsanto Co. has developed two sweet corn hybrids, MON 88017 and MON 89034, that contain biotechnology-derived (biotech) traits designed to enhance sustainability and improve agronomic practices. MON 88017 confers benefits of glyphosate tolerance and protection against corn rootworm. MON 89034 provides protection against European corn borer and other lepidopteran insect pests. The purpose of this assessment was to compare the kernel compositions of MON 88017 and MON 89034 sweet corn with that of a conventional control that has a genetic background similar to the biotech sweet corn but does not express the biotechnology-derived traits. The sweet corn samples were grown at five replicated sites in the United States during the 2010 growing season and the conventional hybrid and 17 reference hybrids were grown concurrently to provide an estimate of natural variability for all assessed components. The compositional analysis included proximates, fibers, amino acids, sugars, vitamins, minerals, and selected metabolites. Results highlighted that MON 88017 and MON 89034 sweet corns were compositionally equivalent to the conventional control and that levels of the components essential to the desired properties of sweet corn, such as sugars and vitamins, were more affected by growing environment than the biotech traits. In summary, the benefits of biotech traits can be incorporated into sweet corn with no adverse effects on nutritional quality.
authors.affiliation: Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, United States.
authors.forename: Kassie L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.affiliation: Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, United States.
authors.forename: Adam R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Festa
authors.affiliation: Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, United States.
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.affiliation: Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, United States.
authors.forename: George G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Harrigan
authors.affiliation: Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, United States.
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000032:analysis; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D000097797:Glyphosate
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D005998:Glycine; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins; D000097797:Glyphosate
keywords: biotechnology; crop composition; glyphosate tolerant; insect protected; sweet corn (Zea mays)