Detection and Quantification of Genetically Modified Soybean in Some Food and Feed Products. A Case Study on Products Available on Romanian Market

Elena Rosculete, Elena Bonciu, Catalin Aurelian Rosculete and Elena Teleanu
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Elena Rosculete: Department of Terrestrial measurements, Management, Mechanization, University of Craiova, 13 A.I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Elena Bonciu: Department of Agricultural and Forestry Technology, University of Craiova, 13 A.I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Catalin Aurelian Rosculete: Department of Terrestrial measurements, Management, Mechanization, University of Craiova, 13 A.I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Elena Teleanu: Sanitary Veterinary Direction for Food Safety Prahova, 11 Corlatesti Street, 100532 Ploiesti, Romania

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to trace genetically modified soybean in food and feed products present on the Romanian market by using molecular extraction, identification and quantification methodologies. Nine samples (3 food samples, 5 soybean samples and 1 soybean meal) were analysed using the classical and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. DNA-genetically modified organism (GMO) was not detected in two of the three analysed samples (food products). However, it could be found in four samples ranging below the limit of 0.9%, and in three samples, above the limit of 0.9%. The results obtained through real-time PCR quantification show that DNA-RRS was detectable in different amounts in different samples: ranging between 0.27% and 9.36% in soy beans, and reaching 50.98% in soybean meal. The current research focuses on how products containing GMO above the limit (it is common knowledge that it is necessary to label the products containing more than 0.9% Genetically Modified DNA) are differentiated on the market with a view to labeling food and feed products in terms of the accidental presence of approved genetically modified plants. The benefits brought by genetic engineering in obtaining genetically modified organisms can be balanced with their public acceptance and with certain known or unknown risks that they can bring.

Keywords: detection; GMO; PCR; risks; quantification; soybean (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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