Monitoring of Infant Formula and Baby Food for the Pat and NOS Terminator of Genetically Modified Maize and Soybean by Real-time PCR in Iran.

Background: Soybean and maize are the most cultivated genetically modified (GM) plants. Because of the increase in the imports of GM products to Iran, infant formula and baby food, which is consumed by babies during their first month of life, can also contain soybean and maize. It has become fundamental to screen these types of products. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the GM corn and soybean in baby food and infant formula using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: A total of 60 baby food and infant formulas were collected randomly from the local drugstores in Tehran. Genomic DNA was extracted from all samples, then by real-time PCR detection, tested Pat/NOS. Internal control genes zein and lectin were used for maize and soybean, respectively. Results: Results showed that 5% of infant formulas and 5% of baby food, two Iranian and one imported baby food, and two imported and one Iranian infant formula were positive for pat. However, NOS was detected in none of the samples. The results showed positive results for the presence of the pat gene in the products without an appropriate label. Conclusions: This article provides evidence of GM maize and soybean presence in baby food and infant formula in Iran.

Phytochemical and Morphological Evidences for Shikonin Production by Plant Cell Cultures of Onosma sericeum Willd

ABSTRACT Shoot regeneration, callus growth, and biosynthesis of shikonin in callus cultures of Onosma sericeum were examined. Plant tissue culture was used as an alternative method for increasing the production of shikonin, a secondary metabolite. The isolated cultures were subjected to abiotic factors such as light, plant growth regulators, and nutritional factors. Identification was carried out by High- Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) after 10th subculture. Nodal explants were incubated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium along with different combination of growth hormones. Shoot regeneration from calli were achieved on MS basal medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/l Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) under light cycle. Shikonin was formed in dark culture. Calli grown on MS (ammonium ion-free) medium supplemented with 3 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA contained the maximum shikonin level (15.26 µg/mg DW). Minimum shikonin content (9.85 µg/mg DW) was observed in calli cultured on MS (ammonium ion-free) medium supplemented with 3 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In establishing cell culture, the ammonium ion, and light cycle inhibited shikonin formation. This is the first report on the establishment of isolated cultures of O. sericeum for shikonin production and callus growth.

Effect of Metasystox-R on marine Nitrosomonas sp. as a nitrification inhibitor.

Metasystox-R is a systemic soluble liquid insecticide for the control of aphids on brassica vegetable crops, cotton and lupins and it is possible enter to the marine environment and may be have a hazard effects for the marine organisms and nitrification processes. Effect of Metasystox-R on ammonia oxidizing activity by marine Nitrosomonas sp. was investigated by determining nitrification inhibitor assay in the cell suspension. Results showed that 8 microg mL(-1) of Metasystox-R with PI50 = 4.48 significantly inhibited nitrite production by marine Nitrosomonas sp. These results suggested marine Nitrosomonas sp. may be one of the target bacteria which was inhibitor and decreasing nitrification in the marine environment.