Genetically modified food products: peculiarities of genetic identification

Abstract

Our research goal was to perform a genetic analysis of food stuffs produced in Russia in order to determine whether genetically modified components, predominantly soya, occurred in them. We also set a task to draw up an optimal list of genetic modifiers for sausages and soya products; this list was to be applied as a tool for monitoring of undeclared GMO and for providing biological safety of food stuffs. We applied polymerase chain reaction in real-time mode to analyze certain food products (sausages and soya products); the analysis was to reveal genetically modified organisms. The task was to identify the following GMO genes: promoters (p35SCaMV, P-SSuAra, Ubi1, ract1, hsp70, TA29 tobacco promoter), terminators (nos3, T-E9, T-g7, T-OCS), reporter genes (nptll, qHptFP308, bar, pat_10-P), bio-pesticides Bacillus Thuringensis (Bt) or Cry-toxins (Cry1Ab/Ac), reporter gene of β-glucuronidase (GUS-gene). Analysis of some sausage samples allowed us to identify the following GMO