ORIGINAL PAPER
Detection of transgenic maize Cry1Ab protein
subjected to ruminal digestion
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1
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
2
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
3
Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
Publication date: 2005-10-17
Corresponding author
F. Diez-Gonzalez
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2005;14(4):655-664
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
This research determined the extent of ruminal degradation of a transgenic protein (Cry1Ab)
expressed in kernels of maize (Zea mays) cultivar DKC53-32. Cracked kernels of transgenic maize
(Bt+) were subjected to rumen digestion using in situ experiments with two ruminally cannulated
Holstein cows. A non-transgenic maize cultivar (Bt-) was used as a control for crude protein (CP)
degradation. CP and Cry1A concentrations from dacron polyester bags inserted in the rumen were
determined for 48 h. The Bt- cultivar had greater CP content (P<0.05) than the Bt+ maize, but
no difference (P>0.05) was found in ruminal degradable protein and the CP rate of degradation.
The Cry1Ab protein was detected throughout ruminal digestion. The amount of Cry1Ab protein
remaining after 16 and 24 h of ruminal degradation was 85 and 60%, respectively. These results
indicated that a significant fraction of Cry1Ab protein was not digested in the rumen. This is the first
report of the rumen degradation rate of a transgenic protein.
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