GM Soy – New upcoming modified soybeans require new test strategies
By Ulf Rathjens, Eurofins GeneScan GmbH, Germany
New genetically modified (GM) soybeans are being approved and commercialised. To detect these varieties new tests and strategies have to be used in the analysis of soy containing products.
The main GM crops that are being commercially cultivated are soy, cotton, corn and canola. The global planting of GM soy reached a total of 77%1 of the total area worldwide under soy cultivation in 2009. In the USA and Argentina the percentage of GM soy planting is above 90% and the average in Brazil has increased to over 70%.
Several different GM lines have been commercialised for the crops cotton, corn and canola, which is a different situation for soy where Roundup Ready™ soy had been the only GM soybean commercialised over past years. The development and commercialisation of new GM soybeans is increasing (see table).
The new modified soybeans that are being developed often do not contain the general screening elements that have been applied in the past, e.g. 35S Promoter and NOS Terminator. A general screening or a specific analysis for Roundup Ready™ soy is no longer sufficient and needs to be complemented by further screening elements or specific analysis.
Eurofins updates the analysis packages SoyScreen and SoyScreenPlus continuously to cover the commercialised and / or approved varieties. This ensures the detection of the important varieties, including those that do not contain the common screening elements. Eurofins offers a complete portfolio of qualitative and quantitative methods for the detection of GM soybeans. In complex sample types, e.g. mixed feed, the analytical strategies can be adapted to cover the requirements of the customer and to adhere to specific regulations, e.g. EU GM regulations, import regulations of Turkey.
Please contact us for more information about the global planting area in 2010.
Contact: ulfrathjens@eurofins.de or gmo@eurofinsus.com (USA) or comercial@eurofins.com.br (Brazil).