SYBR®Green qPCR methods for detection of endogenous reference genes in commodity crops: a step ahead in combinatory screening of genetically modified crops in food and feed products

Identification of crops present in food and/or feed matrices represents an important step in the screening strategies targeting genetically modified organisms (GMO). Soybean, maize, oilseed rape, rice, cotton, sugar beet and potato are to date the most important sources of genetically modified materials imported in the European Union (EU). In order to allow detection of their presence in an integrated screening approach, a set of SYBR®Green real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods has been developed which can be used under the same assay conditions and at similar efficiency for each of the abovementioned crops. Each qPCR method is shown to meet the performance criteria (i.e. specificity, limit of detection and PCR efficiency) set by the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL). When combined with the equivalent qPCR methods targeting GMO elements, these crop-specific SYBR®Green qPCR methods can aid the development of an efficient tool for determining GMO presence in food and/or feed products.