Detection of unapproved genetically modified potatoes in Korea using multiplex polymerase chain reaction

•Multiplex PCR assay was established to detect four GM potato events.•The PCR conditions were confirmed using event-specific primers for each GM event.•Thirty-three commercial potatoes products were monitored using this PCR analysis.•One of the 33 potato products was detected as GM potato E12.

Several genetically modified (GM) potato cultivars with improved traits such as increased amylopectin levels, decreased asparagine levels, and reduced incidence of black spot have been developed. In this study, we describe a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method specific for four GM potato events (EH92-527-1, AM04-1020, PH05-026-0048, and E12) that are unauthorized in Korea. The UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) gene was used as the endogenous reference gene. The specificity of the primer sets was evaluated using GM potatoes and other GM crops. The limit of detection in the developed multiplex PCR was confirmed to be approximately 0.04% (w/w). Thirty-three commercial products containing potato ingredients were tested by the multiplex PCR assay, and GM potato event E12 was found in one of the 33 samples. This result suggested that the developed PCR method could be used to effectively identify unauthorized GM potatoes in Korea.