Genetically modified (GM) rice varieties containing traits such as tolerance to abiotic stress and resistance against pests and diseases continue to be developed. However, contamination incidents from unauthorized GM rice varieties have been encountered. To date, no GM rice crop has been authorized for consumption and/or commercialization in Korea. Therefore, to enhance safety management of unauthorized genetically modified organisms (GMOs), accurate and reliable detection methods are needed to identify GMOs in crops or products. In this study, we developed rapid detection methods for GM rice events (Bt63, KMD1, Kefeng6, Kefeng8, and LLRice62) using ultra-fast PCR system. Ultra-fast PCR is a state-of-the-art technology and decreases PCR run-times dramatically. However, the ultra-fast PCR is not widely used in GMO analysis. Thus, we designed a detection method for five events of GM rice and confirmed them by performing specificity, sensitivity, and applicability assays. All results demonstrate that the ultra-fast PCR system is a specific, sensitive, and reliable method to identify and monitor GM rice events. Additionally, it can be utilized as a rapid and simple method for GMO analysis in crops or processed products. This study can be used as a reference for future research on new analysis methods of unauthorized GMOs.

Genetically modified (GM) potatoes having resistance to insects and viral diseases, low reducing sugar contents, and black spots for high quality continue to be developed. However, no GM potato has been approved as food or feed in the Republic of Korea as the country adheres to a zero-tolerance policy to unauthorized genetically modified organisms (GMOs). When the self-sufficiency rate is low, a detection method to assess GMOs in crops or other products is necessary. Therefore, a rapid method for two GM potato events (SPS-Y9 and EH92-527-1) using an ultra-fast PCR (UF-PCR) system has been developed, and its specificity, sensitivity, and applicability were demonstrated. UF-PCR can decrease the runtime of PCR by more than half of that needed in conventional methods. However, UF-PCR is not a common method for GMO analysis. This rapid detection method may be useful for GMO analyses in field conditions.

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