Degradation and possible carry over of feed DNA monitored in pigs and poultry

摘要: A possible carry over of foreign food DNA into the body after consumption was examined. After feeding pigs with conventional and recombinant (Bt-) maize, different samples were investigated using DNA-extraction followed by PCR procedures to detect chloroplast genes length (199 bp 532 bp), a maize-specific gene (zein) specific transgene present in Bt-maize (cryIa). Initially, time-dependent degradation feed gastrointestinal tract analysed within juices from stomach three parts small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum). Subsequently, transfer residual as well fragments pig organs (blood, muscle, liver, spleen lymph nodes) The suitability introduced extraction procedure verified through amplification universal (ubiquitin) demonstrating successful analysis range 189–417 bp long DNA. Short (199 bp) could be successfully amplified intestinal up 12 h last feeding. In contrast, chloroplast-specific not found any organ so far. Specific maize (Bt-maize) never detected sample. field study examining supermarket poultry (leg, breast wing stomach) led frequent detections short fragment (199 bp). Furthermore, faint signals for zein these tissues. Additional examinations unhatched chicken embryos provided first indication that neither nor are endogenously wild-type genome. Therefore, transient forage most can suspected.