May 30, 2008

GM feed corn an increasing possibility in China

Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) have developed a feed product derived from genetically-modified feed corn, said researcher Lin Min at a recent seminar.

In the field of GM-corn, the Americans are the pioneers. However, the Chinese are playing catching up, having started their research in the 1980s.

Lin said that current GM feed corn research in China mainly focuses on producing corns that are resistant to pests and carry more desired quality and traits. In particular, scientists are carrying out environmental studies of GM-high-lysine corn. They are also making safety evaluations of GM-phytase corn.

Containing the beneficial phytase enzyme, China's GM-phytase corn was developed by a team of CAAS scientists led by Dr Fan Yunliu.

Phytic acid, the main form of phosphorous in plant-origin animal feeds, is poorly available to monogastric animals as they lack the enzyme capable of hydrolyzing phytic acid to release phosphate.

Feed made from the new GM-phytase corn will reduce the need for phosphate supplements, thereby reducing feed costs.