UDC 577.2:575:57.08:658.562
© 2016
Determination of genetically modified rape and monitoring of its
spread
R. Oblap,
candidate of diological sciences
State Enterprise "Ukrmetrteststandard"
The purpose. To complete methodical marching and to develop diagnostic test-system on the basis
of method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time for determination of genetically modified rape
(GM). Monitoring of spread of biotechnological rape in Ukraine. Methods. Molecular-genetic – extraction
of DNA, PCR; biotechnological – development of test-system on the basis of PCR-method in real time
(Real-Time PCR). Results. Screening testsystem is developed for determination of GM rape by PCR-
method in real time. The system allows to analyze both on regulatory elements (tNOS), and on structural
genes (CP4 epsps, Pat, Bar, bay TE, bxn). By means of the developed system monitoring of spread of
biotechnological rape in Ukraine is carried out, and availability of Roundup Ready™ rape in amounts
exceeding 0,9% is shown. Conclusions. The gained results testify to necessity of supervisory control of
agricultural raw, in particular seeds of rape, for the content of genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Key words: genetically modified organisms, polymerase chain reaction in real time, biotechnological
rape.
Problem statement. Biotechnological agricultural crops are grown in global scale for the last 19
years. Areas for this crops has grown from 1,7 to 181,5 million hectares. In 2014 GM crops were planted
in 28 world countries where more than a half of world population lives (60%, 4 milliard of people). The
most world-spread biotech crops are soybean (84,5 million hectares from total world plantings, 79%),
cotton (23,9 million hectares, 70%) maize (57,4 million hectares, 32%) and rapeseed (8,2 million
hectares, 24%). Application of GM crops becomes the most spread agricultural technology nowadays.
Economic benefit from biotech using in global scale amounted 133,3 milliard dollars from 1996 to 2013
and was gained by reduction of production expenses (30%) and by significant increase of crop yield
(70%, 441,4 million tones ) [1,2].
But despite existed benefits and promising perspectives for future, range of risks of GMO using safety
exists. Such a risks are divided into three main groups: food risks which concern safety of GM using in
food products; ecological which concern dangerous of transgenic plants environmental influence and
social-economic-destruction of national seed system of important crops [3-5]. The possibility of
appearance of any consequences depends on the scale and duration of using. Thus control of GMO
using and circulation is performed in many world countries. Such a control supposes registration of new
GMOs, post-registration control and food products labeling [6,7].
Rapeseed is important oil and feed crop. Rapeseed contains 38-50% of oil, 16-29% of protein, 6-7%
of cellulose, 24-26% of nitrogen-free extractive matters. Rapeseed oil is used in food and medical
production, agriculture and for bio-diesel obtaining. Rapeseed is a third oil crop after sunflower and
soybean for plant areas and total production in Ukraine. The largest areas for this crop were in 2008 and
amounted 1411,8 thousand hectares [8]. Programme of rapeseed development in Ukraine for 2008-2015
years supposes increasing of this sector in totally to 7%, increasing of planted area to 2000 thousand
hectares, obtaining 5600-6000 thousand tones of high-productive rapeseed with 28-30 centner/ha crop
yield [9].
More than 90% non-processed rapeseed yield is implemented at external market. Thus Ukrainian
exporters have a huge interest in it control for GMO content. Official data concerning rapeseed production
is absent in Ukraine. But native rapeseed GMO testing during 2010—2014 which was conducted in
laboratory of molecular-genetic researches of SE «Ukrmetrteststandard», showed the presence of
genetic modified content.
Object of research was design of GM rapeseed detection method and development of native
screening diagnostic system and monitoring of distribution of biotech rapeseed in Ukraine.