Genetically modified potatoes

Bell, H. A., Down, R.E., Fitches, E.C., Edwards, J.P. and Gatehouse, A.M.R. (2003). Impact of genetically modified potato expressing plant derived insect resistance genes on the predatory bug, Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera Pentatomidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 13 729-741. 

El Sanhoty, R., El-Rahman, A. A., Bogl, K. W. (2004). Quality and safety evaluation of genetically modified potatoes spunta with Cry V gene compositional analysis, determination of some toxins, antinutrients compounds and feeding study in rats. Nahrung, 48, 13-18. 

Karlsson, M. E., Leeman, A. M., Bjork, I. M. E., Eliasson, A. -C. (2007). Some physical and nutritional characteristics of genetically modified potatoes varying in amylase/amylopectin ratios. Pood Chemistry, 100, 136-146. 

Ewen, S. W. B., and A. Pusztai. 1999. Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine. The Lancet 354 1353-1354. 

Genetically modified potatoes as being noticed to affect which of the... 

Figure 5. Glycoalkaloid content determined in genetically modified potatoes expressing yeast derived invertase, grown in the greenhouse, upper (5a), and obtained from field trials, lower (5b).

Opposition, initially based on unproven fears of latent risks to the environment and to consumer health, as well as on the aggressive tactics used by such multinational chemical companies to move into and dominate food production systems, has intensified as evidence of risks has accumulated in recent years. For example, Danish researchers have produced findings that the new genes added to such crops can and do flow to related plants in the natural environment British researchers have demonstrated that genetically-modified potatoes harm the health of laboratory test animals Brazilian health officials have confirmed that consumers allergic to nuts have been harmed by unlabeled foods containing nut genes and American researchers have found that new pest resistant com interferes with the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly (Bureau of National Affairs, 2000 Baram 2000). 

Shepherd LVT, McNicol JW, Razzo R, Taylor MA, Davies HV, McNicol JW. (2006) Assessing the potential for unintended effects in genetically modified potatoes perturbed in metabolic and developmental processes. Targeted analysis ofkey nutrients and anti-nutrients. Transgenic Res 15 409 25... 

The food technologist may be especially interested in the fate of the carotenoids in the seed oil. Like red palm oil, the resulting carotenoid-pigmented canola oil may be more stable due to the antioxidant properties of carotenoids and may be more attractive to consumers. Alternatively, for food security concerns, transgenic soybean or canola oils and seed meals that are genetically modified for more efficient bio-diesel production may be bio-safety marked with lipid-soluble carotenoids and water-soluble anthocyanins, respectively. Potatoes are excellent potential sources of dietary carotenoids, and over-expression of CrtB in tubers led to the accumulation of P-carotene. Potatoes normally have low levels of leaf-type carotenoids, like canola cotyledons. 

Edible food sources have been tested to deliver vaccines orally for example, transgenic potato tuber-based vaccines have been developed. Other food sources, such as bananas, tomatoes, and corn, are being tested in laboratories (see Section 11.12). Mucosal vaccines, utilizing genetically modified enterotox-ins, are delivered intranasally. Research in this area has to ensure the safety aspect of using enterotoxins. 

Bub, A. M. D., Moseneder, J., Wenzel, G., Rechkemmer, G., Briviba, K. (2008). Zeaxanthin is bioavailable from genetically modified zeaxanthin-rich potatoes. European Journal of Nutrition, 47(2), 99-103. 

A recent development has been the use of genetically modified plants to produce vaccine components. Examples include common foodstuffs such as tomatoes, bananas, potatoes, and com. The prospects for oral vaccines in bananas especially would appear to be promising since this is a staple food in many tropical countries. Vaccine epitopes have also been produced in the milk of goats, sheep, and cows although these may be difficult to purify, process, and formulate. 

Catchpole, Gareth S., Manfred Beckmann, David P. Enot, Madhav Mondhe, Britta Zywicki, Janet Taylor, Nigel Hardy, Aileen Smith, Ross D. King, Douglas B. Kell, Oliver Fiehn, and John Draper. 2005. Hierarchical metabolomics demonstrates substantial compositional similarity between genetically modified and conventional potato crops. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 102(40) 14458-14462. 

Figure 4. Glycoalkaloid content in genetically modified anti-GBSS potatoes (inhibition of amylose biosynthesis) and the corresponding untransformed control lines upper (a), lower (b).

H-NMR spectra of methanolic extracts of control and genetically modified varietals of tomatoes have been analyzed using chemometric techniques. It was possible to assess variations in several metabolites. H, H, and solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra have been recorded for tomato skin and potato tissue, providing information on the structure and dynamics of the cuticle polyesters. 

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