In the USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service's laboratory proficiency test "Biotechnology Proficiency Program April 2021", 125 laboratories worldwide participated to demonstrate their proficiency in identifying and quantifying GMO plants.
Our two laboratories AGROLAB LUFA in Kiel (Germany) and AGROLAB Italia in Vincenza (Italy) successfully participated in this global laboratory proficiency test. Different GMO maize and GMO soybean events were to be correctly identified and quantified in one sample per crop type. Of the 125 participants, 113 submitted their results on time.
The maize sample contained different combinations and concentrations of the following GMO maize events: T25, MON810, GA21, NK603, TC1507, MON863, DAS-59122-7, MIR604, Event 3272, MON 88017, MON 89034 and MIR 162.
The soy sample contained different combinations and concentrations of the following GMO soy events: Roundup Ready™ soy (GTS 40-3-2), Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ soy (MON89788), LibertyLink™ (A2704-12) soy and Plenish™ soy (DP-305423).
In a GMO screening, the presence of certain DNA sequences (regulatory sequence) that are very frequently used in different GMOs was to be tested.
In a second step, the GMO plants mentioned above were specifically tested for and their content quantitatively determined. Since there is a declaration threshold of 0.9 % GMO plant content in Europe, an exact quantification is necessary. Using real-time PCR, both laboratories achieved outstandingly correct values for all parameters, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
The following summarises the results for the maize tests (Table 1) for the soybean detections (Table 2) of the participants who used DNA-based methods:
Table 1 |
Results (total) |
Thereof correct results |
AGROLAB LUFA |
AGROLAB Italia |
35S |
94 |
98,9% |
Correct |
Correct |
NOS |
91 |
96,7% |
Correct |
Correct |
FMV |
67 |
88,1% |
Correct |
Correct |
T25 |
55 |
87,3% |
Correct |
Correct |
MON 810 |
60 |
86,7% |
Correct |
Correct |
GA 21 |
37 |
89,2% |
Correct |
Correct |
NK 603 |
58 |
98,3% |
Correct |
Correct |
Herculex (TC1507) |
33 |
97,0% |
Correct |
Correct |
MON 863 |
33 |
97,0% |
not tested |
Correct |
Herculex RW (59122) |
30 |
96,7% |
Correct |
Correct |
MIR 604 |
56 |
96,4% |
Correct |
Correct |
Event 3272 |
28 |
96,4% |
not tested |
not tested |
MON 88017 |
34 |
91,2% |
Correct |
Correct |
MON 89034 |
35 |
85,7% |
Correct |
Correct |
MIR 162 |
35 |
97,1% |
Correct |
Correct |
Table 2 |
Results (total) |
Correct (total) % |
AGROLAB LUFA |
AGROLAB Italia |
35S |
73 |
98,6% |
Correct |
Correct |
NOS |
71 |
97,2% |
Correct |
Correct |
FMV |
60 |
96,7% |
Correct |
Correct |
Roundup Ready® |
28 |
92,9% |
Correct |
Correct |
A2704-12 (Liberty Link®) |
34 |
97,1% |
Correct |
Correct |
Roundup Ready® II |
31 |
100% |
Correct |
Correct |
DP305423 |
55 |
98,2% |
Correct |
Correct |
YOUR PLUS: In recent years, AGROLAB has continuously expanded its portfolio of qualitative and quantitative detections for genetic modifications and offers accredited GMO testing in plant raw materials, feed and food. Ask for an offer tailored to your needs.
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Authors: Dr. Frank Mörsberger, Anja Palisch