F. Masoero et al., Nutritive value, mycotoxin contamination and in vitro rumen fermentation of normal and genetically modified corn (cry1A(b)) grown in northern Italy, MAYDICA, 44(3), 1999, pp. 205-209
An assessment was made on the effect of inserting the cry1A(b) (Bt) gene of
Bacillus thuringiensis into the genoma of two corn hybrids (the newly-deve
loped hybrid from Cargill Semences identified as CR and the traditional B73
xMo17) on the analytical composition, the in vitro rumen degradability and
the mycotoxin contamination of the plant. Transgenicity changed the plant c
hemical composition as a function of the recipient genotype: starch was inc
reased in the CR-Bt(+) plant (70.4% vs 73.3%; P < 0.10) whereas higher lign
in content (6.3% vs 7.3%; P < 0.05), lower protein 7.7% vs 7.1%; (P < 0.10)
and soluble nitrogen (34.8% vs 26.9%; P < 0.10) contents a ere observed fo
r the B73xMo17-Bt(+) plants. When not considering the hybrid pedigree there
was a tendency (p < 0.1) toward a lower protein content in the Bt(+) corn
seeds (9.2 re 8.2%) and a higher sugar content in stalk and leaves (2.9% vs
5.7%). The stover degradation increased in the CR-Bt(+) variety, probably
as the consequence of the higher content of lower structured carbohydrates.
Transgenic plants had less ergosterol and fumonisin content than standard
corn, suggesting a reduced susceptibility to mould attack.