Discrimination of Transgenic Canola (Brassica napus L.) and their Hybrids with B. rapa using Vis-NIR Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Methods

In recent years, the rapid development of genetically modified (GM) technology has raised concerns about the safety of GM crops and foods for human health and the ecological environment. Gene flow from GM crops to other crops, especially in the Brassicaceae family, might pose a threat to the environment due to their weediness. Hence, finding reliable, quick, and low-cost methods to detect and monitor the presence of GM crops and crop products is important. In this study, we used visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy for the effective discrimination of GM and non-GM Brassica napus, B. rapa, and F1 hybrids (B. rapa X GM B. napus). Initially, Vis-NIR spectra were collected from the plants, and the spectra were preprocessed. A combination of different preprocessing methods (four methods) and various modeling approaches (eight methods) was used for effective discrimination. Among the different combinations, the Savitzky-Golay and Support Vector Machine combination was found to be an optimal model in the discrimination of GM, non-GM, and hybrid plants with the highest accuracy rate (100%). The use of a Convolutional Neural Network with Normalization resulted in 98.9%. The same higher accuracy was found in the use of Gradient Boosted Trees and Fast Large Margin approaches. Later, phenolic acid concentration among the different plants was assessed using GC-MS analysis. Partial least squares regression analysis of Vis-NIR spectra and biochemical characteristics showed significant correlations in their respective changes. The results showed that handheld Vis-NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analyses could be used for the effective discrimination of GM and non-GM B. napus, B. rapa, and F1 hybrids. Biochemical composition analysis can also be combined with the Vis-NIR spectra for efficient discrimination.

MicroRNA Transformed Genetically Modified Crops and their Effect on Human Health.

GM crops or Genetically Modified crops are attracted a wide range of media attention in recent years and continues to do so. Media given awareness about the genetically modified crops to public. They reported the uses and drawbacks of the GM crops. The technique offers with regards to the range of advantages of the use of genetically modified crops. In the Pioneer stage of the production of GM crops, two different sectors of concern have been evolved, which includes impact on the agriculture and dangerous to human life. Safety of the eatables have a vital role in the world. The issue can be reduced by enhancing the productivity and quality of the crop. Genetic manipulation technology depends on the MiRNA, it is one of the main problem-solving methods, which influence the environmental product formation through improving major rules used for miRNAs modification and its objectives in GM plants, it contains constitutive, induction to stress, or specific tissue expression of micro RNAs or their aim, RNA gene silencing mechanism, micro-RNA-resistant target and gene expressions. Genetically Modified Organisms is one of the major focuses in biomedical research from 1980s. Since, Genetically Modified models with animal enable researchers for treatment of human genetic diseases. Genetically Modified microorganisms, crops, and animals are used for the production of drugs that are complex by which helps the generation to vaccines that are cheaper. However, this article+ more focused on the human health associated with the genetically modified foods and role of miRNAs in respected to GM food products.

A Label-Free Immunosensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Thionine for Sensitive Detection of PAT Protein in Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically modified (GM) crops containing phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) protein has been widely planted worldwide. The development of a rapid method for detecting PAT protein is of great importance to food supervision. In this study, a simple label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the ultrasensitive detection of PAT protein was constructed using thionine (Thi)/gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as signal amplification molecules and electrochemically active substances. Under optimum conditions, the limits of detection of the sensor for soybean A2704-12 and maize BT-176 were 0.02% and 0.03%, respectively. The sensor could detect crops containing PAT protein and had no cross-reaction with other proteins. After storage at 4°C for 33 days, the sensor still retained 82.5% of the original signal, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.92%. The recoveries of the sensor for soybean A2704-12 and maize BT-176 were 85%–108% and 98%–113%, respectively. The developed PAT-target immunosensor with high sensitivity, specificity, and satisfactory reproducibility and accuracy will be a useful tool in the trace screening of GM crops. Moreover, this design concept can be extended to other proteins by simply changing the antibody.

A Review of the Unintentional Release of Feral Genetically Modified Rapeseed into the Environment

Globally, the cultivation area of genetically modified (GM) crops is increasing dramatically. Despite their well-known benefits, they may also pose many risks to agriculture and the environment. Among the various GM crops, GM rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is widely cultivated, mainly for oil production. At the same time, B. napus possesses a number of characteristics, including the ability to form feral populations and act as small-seeded weeds, and has a high potential for hybridization with other species. In this review, we provide an overview of the commercialization, approval status, and cultivation of GM rapeseed, as well as the status of the feral rapeseed populations. In addition, we highlight the case studies on the unintentional environmental release of GM rapeseed during transportation in several countries. Previous studies suggest that the main reason for the unintentional release is seed spillage during transport/importing of rapeseed in both GM rapeseed-cultivating and -non-cultivating countries. Despite the fact that incidents of unintentional release have been recorded often, there have been no reports of serious detrimental consequences. However, since rapeseed has a high potential for hybridization, the possibilities of gene flow within the genus, especially with B. rapa, are relatively significant, and considering their weedy properties, effective management methods are needed. Hence, we recommend that specific programs be used for the effective monitoring of environmental releases of GM rapeseed as well as management to avoid environmental and agricultural perturbations.

Evaluating the effects of Bt protein Vip3Aa on immature Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Background Genetically modified (GM) crops have become a common tool for managing insect pests of economic importance. However, before their commercialization, bio-safety evaluation on non-target arthropods such as pollinators and biological control agents is a pre-requisite to save services rendered by them in agro-ecosystem. Results In the present experiment, the potential adverse effects of Bt protein (Vip3Aa) were studied on the life table parameters (pupation and emergence rates, 7-day larval weights, larval development time, and adult weight) of a predatory beetle, Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the laboratory. P. japonica was exposed to Bt protein incorporated in synthetic diet at the rate of 200 µg/g of fresh weight of diet. Temporal stability, bioactivity and the uptake of insecticidal protein were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a sensitive insect bioassay. The results indicated that pupation and adult emergence rates did not differ significantly from that of negative control (pure synthetic diet). Similarly, the fresh weight of male and female adults emerged in Vip3Aa treatment (2.87 mg and 3.86 mg, respectively) did not vary significantly from that of the negative control treatment (2.66 mg, 3.75 mg). However, the time taken by the larvae to complete their development (12.70 days) was significantly extended than that of the negative control (10.21 days). In contrast, the tested life-table parameters of P. japonica were adversely affected when fed on synthetic diet containing boric acid (positive control) indicating experimental fitness to detect adverse effects. Conclusions On the basis of the results, it is suggested that GM crops expressing Bt protein (Vip3Aa) are safe for non-target insects such as P. japonica and are compatible with other biological programs for the integrated management of insect pests.

A Welfare Analysis on GM Crop Market Structures and Existing Regulations

Since their introduction in 1994, genetically modified (GM) crops have become a major sector of the agricultural industry in developing and developed countries. Despite this, many economic concerns have arisen regarding how governments regulate GM crops. These concerns have caused countries to ban GM crop usage, which has proven to be detrimental for national and international economies. This paper outlines the economic advantages of GM crop production and usage and surveys the current inefficiencies in the regulation of GM crops through a review on existing literature. It notes the increased farming efficiency, cost effectiveness, and rise in income for developing countries resulting from GM crop production and usage. It then considers why many of the listed potential benefits are unrealized, particularly due to the excessive market power given to GM seed producers, high barriers of entry into the GM market due to biosafety procedures, utility patents, and international trade asymmetries. Finally, the discussion section of the paper poses potential solutions by describing methods to efficiently regulate GM crops and suggesting possible areas of further research. The objective of this paper is to inform readers with minimal economic understanding of the potential economic benefits of GM crops and aid them in recognizing the optimal ways to regulate them.