Detection of Genetic Modification 'ac2' in Potato Foodstuffs
Radka Pribylova1*, Petr Kralik1, Ivo Pavlik1 and Milan Bartos2
1Veterinary 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.
*Corresponding author: pribylova@vri.cz
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