Monitoring results for the RRS in soybean curds distributed at Matsumoto-city and its suburbs from 2011 to 2012

Abstract

Many of Japanese consumers fear and avoid gene modified organisms (GMOs) although they don't know any technology, advantage and disadvantage of it. In addition, a lot of them don't know under 5% of contamination of GMOs to agricultural commodity is considered "unintended commingling" and allows to sign "Non-GMO" to products when they were treated under the identity preserved (IP) handling. In fact not exceeding 5% commingling of the Roundup Ready Soybeans (RRS) from soybean curds were reported in some areas around Japan. However there is not the evidence of the commingling of RRS to Soybean curds distributed at Nagano Prefecture. From these evidences, RRS content rates were examined almost Kinugoshi-tofu, soft and smooth soybean curds, which were sold at Matsumoto-city and its suburbs, Nagano pref., from May 2011 to April 2012. Genome DNA of soybean and RRS specific gene were extracted by silica-based membrane methods arranged for isolation DNA from tofu. RRS and internal control gene, Le1 were detected by realtime PCR-system. 101 samples of soybean curds were examined. The data showed 34 samples (33.7% of 101 samples) contained RRS. All of RRS contents were trace amount and lower than 5%, that was Consumer Affairs Agency's guideline.