GMO detection

FAQs

• 1. What is GMO detection and why is it required in food and feed testing?

  GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) detection involves identifying the presence of genetically modified DNA sequences in food and feed samples. In the European Union, labelling of GMOs is mandatory under EU Regulation No. 1829/2003 to ensure consumers can make informed choices between GM and non-GM products. Any food or feed product containing more than 0.9% authorised GMO content must be labelled accordingly, making accurate GMO screening a legal requirement for food manufacturers and testing laboratories.

• 2. What GMO detection kits does Invitek offer?

  Invitek offers the following InviScreen® GMO Detection Kits:

  • InviScreen® GMO Detection Kit (35S/NOS/FMV) – screens for 3 key GMO marker sequences; 50 reactions
  • InviScreen® GMO Detection Kit (35S/NOS/FMV/pat/bar) – expanded screening for 5 targets; 50 reactions
  • InviScreen® GMO Detection LyoKit – lyophilised (freeze-dried) format for 100 reactions, with extended shelf life and simplified handling
  • InviScreen® CaMV Detection Kit – targeted detection of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter

• 3. What genetic marker sequences do Invitek's GMO kits detect?

  Invitek's InviScreen® GMO Detection Kits target the most commonly used regulatory elements found in genetically modified plants:

  • pCaMV35S – the 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV), present in a wide range of first-generation GMOs
  • tNOS – the nopaline synthase terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, frequently used alongside the 35S promoter
  • pFMV – the 34S promoter from Figwort Mosaic Virus, providing additional coverage of other GMO events
  • pat/bar genes – herbicide tolerance markers (in the extended 5-target kit)
  • Endogenous plant DNA – included as an internal extraction and amplification control

• 4. What is the regulatory basis for Invitek's GMO detection method?

  Invitek's GMO detection kits are based on the ISO 21569 standard, which defines the real-time PCR methodology for the detection and identification of GMOs in food and feed. The primer and target sequences used are aligned with the validated methods of the European Commission, ensuring the kits support regulatory compliance testing across the EU.

• 5. How sensitive are Invitek's GMO detection kits?

  Under optimal conditions, the InviScreen® GMO Detection Kits provide a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1% relative GMO content. This level of sensitivity is well below the EU mandatory labelling threshold of 0.9%, making the kits suitable for both regulatory screening and quality assurance workflows.

• 6. What is the InviScreen® GMO Detection LyoKit and what are its advantages?

  The InviScreen® GMO Detection LyoKit is a lyophilised (freeze-dried) version of the GMO detection assay. Key advantages include:

  • Extended shelf life due to the stable, dry format of the pre-mixed reagents
  • Simplified handling — no cold-chain dependency for transport and storage
  • 100 reactions per kit, offering a higher capacity option
  • Ideal for laboratories with high throughput requirements or those operating in challenging storage environments

• 7. Which PCR instruments are compatible with Invitek's GMO detection kits?

  Invitek's InviScreen® GMO Detection Kits are compatible with commonly used real-time PCR instruments, including:

  • Applied Biosystems™ 7500
  • Agilent AriaMx™
  • Bio-Rad CFX96 Touch™ and CFX96 Touch™ Deep Well

  The assays use FAM and HEX/VIC fluorescence channels for target and control detection respectively.

• 8. Does the GMO detection kit include internal controls, and why are they important?

  Yes. Each InviScreen® GMO Detection Kit includes an endogenous plant gene detection set that serves as an internal process control. This control:

  • Confirms that the DNA extraction was successful and of sufficient quality
  • Detects the presence of PCR inhibitors that could cause false-negative results
  • Ensures the integrity of the entire analytical process, from nucleic acid extraction through to amplification

  This is a critical quality assurance feature for reliable GMO screening results.

• 9. What food and feed matrices can be tested with Invitek's GMO kits?

  Invitek's InviScreen® GMO Detection Kits are suitable for a wide range of starting materials, including:

  • Raw agricultural commodities (e.g., soy, maize, rapeseed)
  • Processed food products (e.g., bakery and pastry products, preserves, pasteurised products, cold meats)
  • Soy derivatives and other plant-based ingredients
  • Animal feed and compound feed
  • Surface swabs for environmental monitoring

  Compatible extraction kits include the InviSorb® Spin Food Kit and InviSorb® Spin Plant Mini Kit.

• 10. What DNA extraction kits does Invitek recommend prior to GMO PCR testing?

  Invitek recommends the following extraction kits for optimal DNA quality ahead of GMO testing:

  • InviSorb® Spin Food Kit – for processed food and feed samples of plant or animal origin
  • InviSorb® Spin Plant Mini Kit – for raw plant material and plant-based ingredients
  • InviMag® Food Kit – for semi-automated extraction of food and feed samples of plant or animal origin

  The kits efficiently remove PCR inhibitors and provide high-purity DNA, ensuring reliable downstream performance with the InviScreen® GMO Detection Kits.