Question

What steps could you take next (or what other techniques could you use) to further investigate the substantial equivalence of the anythocyanins in GM carnations to a known food?

Answer 1

Answer : substantial equivalence analysis includes introducing gene, new expressed protein and metabolites.

Methods to evaluate substantial equivalence of anthocyanin :

1. Metabolic profiling

2. Protein profiling

The main purpose of these methods is to determine the complete fingerprint of metabolites and proteins present in food and compare this biochemical data to the natural occurring food.

Substantial equivalence of anthocyanin in GM carnation: anthocyanin is mainle present in flowers and fruits.

anthocyanin can be detected by adding 2ml of plant extract in 2ml 2 N Hcl. Pink red colour is appeared. On addition of ammonia this pink red colour change into purpleish blue. This indicates the presence of anthocyanin.

The overall evaluation process includes four steps:

1. Substantial equivalence

2. Toxicology and nutritional analysis

3. Toxicology and nutritional evaluation

4. Final safety assessment of GM plants.