Transgenic Maize Simplifies Feed Processing

One of the major problems facing the feed industry is its processing. Most of the feeds contain anti-nutritional factors, such as raffinose-family oligosaccharide (RFO). These feeds containing RFO are supplemented with α-galactosidase to hydrolyze α-1,6-galactosidic bonds on the RFO.

In a study conducted by researchers from Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, a simplified feed processing was developed through the production of transgenic maize seeds. These seeds exhibit a protease-resistant fungal α-galactosidase trait obtained through the expression of the gene, aga-F75 from Gibberella sp. strain F75.

Comparative analysis between transgenic maize seeds expressing aga-F75m with seeds derived from its counterpart, Pichia pastoris strain reveals their similarities. However, the seeds expressing aga-F75m has a desirable quality due to its better anti-activation stability against feed pelleting.

The development of these transgenic maize seeds lessens the need for purification or supplementation in feed processing making it more efficient and cheaper.

Results of their study can be read at PLoS ONE.