Detection of BT transgenic maize in foodstuffs

Different foodstuffs for humans and monogastric animals were analysed to detect CryIA (b) gene and quantify the CryIA(b) protein present in the transgenic maize used as an ingredient. Eight out of 32 foods obtained from the market showed to have been elaborated with transgenic Bt maize. Specific primers used to identify the transgenic event revealed that Mon810 was predominantly present in the foodstuffs. A commercial ELISA test allowed the quantification of the CryIA(b) protein in low processed foods, and found that 0.1 ppm was the highest value per gram of food. A Western blot carried out with immuno-purified polyclonal antibodies was capable of detecting both the intact or degraded CryIA(b) protein depending on the food assayed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.