Development of allergenicity and toxicity assessment methods for evaluating transgenic sugarcane overexpressing sucrose–phosphate synthase

Abstract

Sugarcane is considered as an industrial crop that produces sugar. The number of transgenic sugarcane on the market is currently increasing. Therefore, investigation of the potential allergens and toxics in transgenic sugarcane is necessary, since there is less information regarding food safety for human consumption. Bioinformatics and experimental analysis were used for the validation of the allergenic potential of transgenic sugarcane overexpressing sucrose–phosphate synthase (SPS). Bioinformatics analysis showed that SPS has no homology with any known allergenic proteins. However, eight-residues identical contiguous sequence was detected, and further specific assessment is required to confirm the potential of allergenicity. The results of protein stability evaluation showed that SPS gradually decreased at 28◦C and rapidly inactivated at 60◦C and 90◦C by heat treatment. In addition, total protein was degraded by simulated gastric fluids (SGF), and simulated intestine fluid (SIF) assays for one-minute incubation. The level of specific IgE in the transgenic sugarcane and controls also showed no potential risk of allergy. An acute oral toxicity assay was performed by oral gavage of transgenic sugarcane juice in mice. The LD50 for transgenic sugarcane juice was >25 gr/kg body weight. We propose a development method for allergenicity and toxicity assessment in transgenic sugarcane.