Detection of Genetic Modification 'ac2' in Potato Foodstuffs

Radka Pribylova¹*, Petr Kralik¹, Ivo Pavlik¹ and Milan Bartos<sup>2

1</sup>Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
²Genex CZ, s.r.o., Vinicni 235, CZ-615 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Article history:
Received July 3, 2008
Accepted February 4, 2009

Key words:
GMO, Solanum tuberosum, PCR, antimicrobial peptide, food safety

Summary:
The genetic modification 'ac2' is based on the insertion and expression of ac2 gene, originally found in seeds of amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), into the genome of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). The purpose of the present study is to develop a PCR method for the detection of the mentioned genetically modified potatoes in various foodstuffs. The method was used to test twenty different potato-based products; none of them was positive for the genetic modification 'ac2'. The European Union legislation requires labelling of products made of or containing more than 0.9 % of genetically modified organisms. The genetic modification 'ac2' is not allowed on the European Union market. For that reason it is suitable to have detection methods, not only for the approved genetic modifications, but also for the 'unknown' ones, which could still occur in foodstuffs.

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