Abstract:
Detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and fruits is a vital issue for
all the subjects involved in food control and consumer’s right. As a consequence of the
growing number of GMOs imported to Egypt during the past few years, it has become an
important issue to screen food products with the purpose of determining the identity of the
daily consumed products. In this investigation, following the extraction of genomic DNA
from 25 samples different processed foods that are sold commercially in Egypt, qualitative
polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect genetically modified maize, soybean
and other plants. The recombinant DNA target sequences were detected with primers
highly specific for each investigated transgene such as CaMV35s gene and NOS terminator
while gel electrophoresis was performed to ensure the presence of a genetically modified
organisms in the commercial products. According to the PCR products, the results shown
that 13 out of 25 food samples were containing soybean and showed positive results with
CaMV35s promoter except sample 13 showed positive results with both NOS terminator
and CaMV35s promoter confirming that all these samples contain genetically modified
genes. Although, 4 samples out of 25 samples tested positive with CaMV35s promoter at
size 195bp for maize showing the presence of GMO. All of the positive samples were
detected with BT11 and Roundup for maize and soybean respectively. The fruits samples
number 9 and 25 were confirmed GMO due to the presence of CaMV35s promoter in both
samples. The results proved the presence of GM maize, soybean and fruit samples in Egypt
food products, strengthening the necessity for the development of a strong labeling system
and valid qualitative methods in routine analyses before the products are commercially
sold.