2002 Volume 43 Issue 1 Pages 24-29
A detection method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect the genetically modified (GM) potato (NewLeaf Plus® potato; NL-P), which has not been authorized as safe in foods in Japan. The potato sucrose synthase gene was used as an internal control. The DNA from NL-P specifically provided an amplified band using PCR with a primer pair recognizing PLRV-rep gene. In addition, to prevent false-positive results in processed potato foods infected with PLRV, we designed a primer pair recognizing sequences derived from two organisms to detect specifically NL-P in processed potato. The PCR product obtained using the designed primer pair was specific for NL-P. The DNA introduced into NL-P could be detected from potato powder samples containing 0.05% NL-P. The proposed method was applied to the detection of NL-P in 25 processed potato foods. NL-P was detected in 3 snack products.