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April 1, 2009
Source:
GMO Compass
A new type of genetically modified
soybean should be on the market sometime this year in the USA.
It has a higher oleic acid content than conventional soybeans,
which means that when heated, it gives off fewer harmful
substances. The new soybean will be launched first in a few
small, regional test markets.
"This year
we hope to bring to market the first product from a genetically
engineered plant designed to deliver health benefits to
consumers," said Jim Borel, DuPont group vice-president, at an
agricultural convention in Chicago. "It is the first GM soybean
created for health-conscious consumers and for food producers
active in this market segment."
The
soybean, developed by the DuPont company, has a different
composition of fatty acids: it contains more oleic acid – a
monounsaturated fatty acid – than conventional soybeans, while
at the same time having a lower level of polyunsaturated fatty
acids. At high temperatures, such as when frying or roasting,
part of these are transformed into trans fatty acids. These can
cause high levels of bad cholesterol considered harmful to
health. In the USA the trans fatty acid content must be declared
on food product labels. Trans fatty acids also result from the
hydrogenation process, such as when a plant oil is transformed
to a spreadable fat for the making of margarine.
Because of
the new GM soybean's high oleic content, oils and fats derived
from it can be used at high temperatures without turning into
undesirable trans fatty acids. According to Borel, the oil from
the new GM soybean is comparable to palm oil or other vegetable
oils.
DuPont
expects to receive regulatory approval for planting the new
soybean (event 305423) in the USA sometime this year. Food and
feed approval has already been granted. The new high-oleic
soybean will be tested first in small, regional markets. Food
industry companies are to develop applicable products and test
their acceptibility. DuPont is working with the agricultural
trade company Bunge on the commercial launch.
An
application for the authorisation of the new high-oleic soybean
in the food and feed chain has also been submitted in the EU.
See also on
GMO Compass:
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