Application of DNA- and Protein-Based Detection Methods in Agricultural Biotechnology.

DNA- and protein-based detection methods are widely used tools for monitoring biotechnology-derived crops and their products globally. Agricultural biotechnology companies, food/feed suppliers and supply chains, diagnostic testing companies, and regulatory authorities heavily rely on these two technologies for product development, seed production, compliance, and contractual needs. The primary use of DNA- and protein-based detection methods is either to verify the presence or absence of genetically engineered (GE) materials or to quantify the amount of GE material present in a product. This review describes key parameters of DNA- and protein-based detection methods, and thorough assessment of their applications and their advantage and limitations in agricultural biotechnology are discussed in detail. The review highlights the principle and considerations of detection method selection, which will equip users to choose suitable technology and obtain reliable test results. The review also compares the compatibility of the two technologies in GE product testing using a case study.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) containing the bar gene is compositionally equivalent to the nontransgenic counterpart.

This publication presents an approach to assessing compositional equivalence between grain derived from glufosinate-tolerant rice grain, genetic event LLRICE62, and its nontransgenic counterpart. Rice was grown in the same manner as is common for commercial production, using either conventional weed control practices or glufosinate-ammonium herbicide. A two-season multisite trial design provided a robust data set to evaluate environmental effects between the sites. Statistical comparisons to test for equivalence were made between glufosinate-tolerant rice and a conventional counterpart variety. The key nutrients, carbohydrates, protein, iron, calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin, for which rice can be the principal dietary source, were investigated. The data demonstrate that rice containing the genetic locus LLRICE62 has the same nutritional value as its nontransgenic counterpart, and most results for nutritional components fall within the range of values reported for rice commodities in commerce.

Polymerase chain reaction technology as analytical tool in agricultural biotechnology.

The agricultural biotechnology industry applies polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology at numerous points in product development. Commodity and food companies as well as third-party diagnostic testing companies also rely on PCR technology for a number of purposes. The primary use of the technology is to verify the presence or absence of genetically modified (GM) material in a product or to quantify the amount of GM material present in a product. This article describes the fundamental elements of PCR analysis and its application to the testing of grains. The document highlights the many areas to which attention must be paid in order to produce reliable test results. These include sample preparation, method validation, choice of appropriate reference materials, and biological and instrumental sources of error. The article also discusses issues related to the analysis of different matrixes and the effect they may have on the accuracy of the PCR analytical results.