Use of real-time PCR to predict dry matter disappearance of individual feeds in a total mixed ration

Anaerobic digestion of specified risk materials with cattle manure for biogas production

Biogas production from anaerobic digestion (AD) of specified risk materials (SRM) co-digested with cattle manure was assessed in a 3 x 2 factorial design. SRM replaced manure at 0 (control), 10% or 25% (w/w) as the substrate fed to six 2-L biodigesters maintained at 37 degrees C or 55 degrees C. Digesters were fed substrate (30 g L(-1) total volatile solids) at 6-d intervals for 90 d, with a retention time of 30 d. Keratin (<20mg) was added to each digester to model the degradation of beta-sheet rich proteins. Methane production was measured daily, and effluent was collected at feeding to monitor SRM degradation using real-time PCR analysis of bovine-specific DNA fragments. Compared with control, methane production increased by 83% or 161% (P<0.05) with 10% or 25% SRM at 37 degrees C, and by 45% and 87%, respectively, at 55 degrees C (P<0.05). Bovine DNA degradation over 6d was higher (P<0.05) at 37 degrees C as compared to 55 degrees C. Dry matter degradation of keratin at 37 degrees C decreased with increasing SRM concentration (P<0.05), whereas at 55 degrees C no difference between treatments was observed (P>0.05). Inclusion of SRM increases the production of methane during the anaerobic digestion of manure and may offer a means of deriving economic value from the disposal of SRM.

Biodegradation of genetically modified seeds and plant tissues during composting

BACKGROUND

The increasing global market of genetically modified (GM) crops amplifies the potential for unintentional contamination of food and feed with GM plants. Methods proposed for disposal of crop residues should be assessed to prevent unintended distribution of GM materials. Composting of organic material is inexpensive and location-independent. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of composting for disposal of GM plants in terms of reducing seed viability and promoting the degradation of endogenous as well as transgenic DNA.

RESULTS

Duplicate samples of corn kernels, alfalfa leaves, and GM canola seeds, meal and pellets were sealed in porous nylon bags and implanted in duplicate 85,000 kg (initial weight) feedlot manure compost piles. Samples were collected at intervals over 230 days of composing. Canola seeds and corn kernels were not viable after 14 days of composting with temperatures in the piles exceeding 50 degrees C. In all samples, PCR analyses revealed that plant endogenous and transgenic fragments were substantially degraded after 230 days of composting. Southern blotting of genomic DNA isolated from canola seeds identified differences in the persistence of endogenous, transgenic, and bacterial DNA.

CONCLUSION

Composting GM and non-GM plant materials with manure rendered seeds non-viable, and resulted in substantial, although not complete, degradation of endogenous and transgenic plant DNA. This study demonstrates that composting could be effective for disposing of GM crops in the event of their inadvertent entry into the food or feed chain.