Through qualitative screening, Hohenstine can reliably examine cotton and any subsequent end products for genetic modifications (GMO). The Hohenstine detection systems were specifically designed for textile products. Testing can be carried out on raw cotton, yarns and fabrics, as well as ready-made end products.
Why is GMO testing helpful?
Due to the increasing demands of consumers, textile companies and retailers, the global market share of organic cotton are continuously growing. The higher market price of raw cotton and cotton-based textiles is only justifiable if organic cultivation can be verified.
For cotton to be considered organic, for example, the use of genetically modified plants is prohibited. In spite of this, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are repeatedly found in textiles allegedly produced from organic cotton. Reasons for this range from contaminated seeds, to cross-pollination during cultivation, through to contamination of cotton fibres during processing.
Who would benefit from our GMO screening?
- Brands and manufacturers offering organic cotton products
- Certification organizations wishing to label the cotton as organic
- Consumer protection agencies
How do Hohenstine test cotton textiles?
Hohenstine GMO testing consists of two steps:
- The sample is crushed and cotton fibres are mechanically and enzymatically digested. The genetic material (DNA) is isolated from the fibres and purified through a multi-stage process.
- If a specific target sequence (marker gene) is found in the DNA, this indicates a genetic modification. Thus the molecular biological evidence is obtained. Control reactions serve to verify unaltered cotton DNA and also to exclude an inhibition of the detection reaction.
