PCR-based Detection of Genetically Modified Soybean at a Grain Receiving Port in Iran

Abstract

The detection of Genetically Modified (GM) organism s is becoming a legal necessity. This study was carried out to detect genetically mo dified events in soybeans imported into Iran using simplex and multiplex PCR. Therefore, fi ve samples of imported soybean were obtained from Bandar Imam Khomeini customs. Modifie d CTAB method was used to extract DNA from soybean seeds. The result indicate s that the modified method is suitable for DNA extraction from soybean seeds and probably can be used for other oilseeds. Using specific primers for CaMV 35S promoter, NOS terminator and epsps gene PCR reactions were performed. In this study soybean lectin gene was used as internal control. The results revealed that soybean samples imported from Canada and Paraguay were genetically modified and they had CaMV 35S promoter, NOS terminator and epsps gene in their genomes. The result of simplex PCR was the same as multiplex PCR, but multiplex PCR detected the GM soybeans very quickly and in a cost-saving and time- consuming way. Based on PCR analysis using GM soybe an event-specific primers, it is suggested that the soybean plants may be GTS 40-3-2 . No fragment was amplified when the DNA of US or Non-GM soybeans were used as templ ate in the PCR reaction. This is the first report that shows GM soybeans imported to Iran without use of the "GMO" label in the shipment's documentation. Keywords: EPSPS gene, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Monit oring of GMOs, Roundup ready soybean, Simplex and multiplex PCR.