Journal or Publishing Institution: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Study: https://web.archive.org/web/20180728182226/http://www.uky.edu/~jdharw2/harwoodobrycki2006a.pdf
Author(s): Harwood, J.D. and Obrycki, J.J.
Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study
Record ID: 934
Abstract: Abstract With greater acreages being planted to transgenic crops, the exposure of non-target species to bioengineered material is increasing. Although the slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Mu¨ller), is a major agricultural pest throughout the world, Bacillus thuringiensis crops were not intended to target these species. Molluscs are readily consumed by many generalist predators; if these Cry1Ab-endotoxins are taken up by slugs during feeding on transgenic plants, predators would therefore be exposed to elevated endotoxin concentrations. Using a biochemical assay, we tested the hypothesis that slugs fed transgenic corn would accumulate detectable quantities of Cry1Ab-endotoxins for prolonged periods of time. Characterization indicated that at low dilution rates, Cry1Ab-endotoxins were detectable in slugs fed Bt-corn but no reactivity was elicited by specimens fed non-transgenic food. It was possible to detect Cry1Ab-endotoxins in slugs for 95.9 h after consumption of Bt-corn. Although quantities were small, these long detection periods indicated potential exposure of generalist predators to low concentrations of transgenic insecticidal toxins in the field.
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, non-target effects, decay rates, ELISA, risk assessment, detection protocols
Citation: Harwood, J.D. and Obrycki, J.J., 2006. The detection and decay of Cry1Ab Bt-endotoxins within non-target slugs, Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Pulmonata), following consumption of transgenic corn. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 16(1), pp.77-88.
