Safety assessment of genetically engineered potatoes with designed soybean glycinin: compositional analyses of the potato tubers and digestibility of the newly expressed protein in transgenic potatoes

The compositions of transgenic potatoes with intact and modified genes for soybean glycinin were compared with those of control potatoes; non‐transgenic or transgenic ones with a vector. The expression levels of glycinin proteins in the transgenic potato tubers were approximately 12–31 mg g−1‐total soluble protein. With reference to six major components, moisture, protein, lipid, fiber, ash and carbohydrate, there were no significant differences between transgenic and control potatoes. The levels of glycoalkaloids in transgenic potato tubers, as well as in transgenic controls, increased in comparison with those in non‐transgenic ones, though the level was within the permitted limit. The modified glycinin expressed in the transgenic potato tuber was digested under the simulated gastric conditions. From these results, the transgenic potatoes with intact and modified glycinin genes are considered to be as safety utilization for food as non‐transgenic potatoes. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry