A star(ch) is born

A star(ch) is born

© BASF

© Bayer CropScience

View large image in photo gallery

Amflora is the name of the new star on the plant biotechnology horizon. But the trial cultivation of the industrial potato now greenlighted has caused a parting of way. While some expect the optimised starch composition of this genetically modified crop to trigger major progress in industrial applications, others fear unforeseeable risks for man and the environment.

Amflora is a genetically modified potato producing pure amylopectin starch that is optimised for industrial applications. While starch in “regular” potatoes consists of two components – amylose and amylopectin – the chemical company BASF has engineered a potato species that almost exclusively contains amylopectin, which is needed for many industrial applications. Whereas amylopectin has a thickening effect, amylose produces a gelatinising effect thereby interfering with many applications. The gene that controls the formation of the undesired amylose component was selectively disabled. Using the antisense-strategy a mirror copy of the gene was incorporated into the genetic substance of the potato thereby blocking the information required to form the enzyme.

So far the gelatinising effect of amylose had been reduced by chemically modifying it prior to its application entailing increased water and energy consumption. A separation of the two components is possible but makes no economic sense because of the high energy consumed in the process.

Advance for industrial application

Just under two million tons of potato starch are produced annually in Europe alone. The majority being used for industrial applications where potato starch is better suited than wheat or maize starch, for example. According to BASF, Amflora is a renewable raw material helping to save material, energy and costs thanks to its optimised starch content. Pure amylopectin starch makes it possible to obtain a very uniform surface structure and high viscosity, strength and transparency at the same time. It is planned for Amflora to be deployed in the paper and packaging industry as well as in adhesives production. Thanks to Amflora, printing paper is said to become shinier, absorb printing inks better and therefore offer added value. Adhesives are said to remain liquid for longer and even the textile, construction and cosmetics industries can benefit from the numerous application options for this innovative starch.

A long way

It took Amflora a long way to go from the lab into real use. The industrial potato was developed by BASF Plant Science researchers and its approval process started almost 13 years ago when the application for its approval was filed in August 1996. Between 1998 and 2004 no approvals were granted for any genetically modified plants in the EU at all. In 2003 and 2005 further applications by BASF followed. In 2006 the EU Commission published two EFSA opinions that arrived at the conclusion that Amflora was as safe for man, animals and the environment as any other conventional potato.

What followed were innumerable further applications, recommendations, coordination procedures, opinions and debates until BASF Crop Science finally filed a complaint due to the EU Commission’s excessive delay at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg in the first instance in July. Following further delays the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection and Food Safety in May 2009 announced the approval for trial cultivation of Amflora at two German sites.

For many years now Amflora has been examined in field trials for yield, pest and disease tolerance as well as detrimental effects on human and animal health and on the environment. These trial cultivations took place in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Sweden. Amflora is grown in a closed-loop system from seed production to starch production and exclusively cultivated to order. According to the European Food Safety Agency the GM potato is entirely as safe as any other potato. Nevertheless, it is subject to comprehensive safety assessments and strict regulations because only plants deemed safe are granted approval by the European agencies.

Rejected by Environmentalists

Nonetheless some environmental protection organisations strictly oppose the commercial cultivation of the industrial potato. They fear inadvertent mixing with conventional food and feed potatoes and the marker gene contained in Amflora potentially resulting in an antibiotic-resistance against Kanamycine. The Genetic Engineering Expert Body at EFSA, however, also declared Amflora harmless in this respect. A transfer of the gene from a GM plant to bacteria was extremely improbable, they said, and therefore the efficacy of antibiotics was not compromised.

back