Abstract: Bt microbial insecticides have been used to control larval insect pests that feed on agricultural crops, forest and drinking water for over 50 years. They are also widely used in certified organic agricultural food production in the United States, Europe and other countries. Cry proteins are most commonly introduced in registered Bt crops. Mode of action, food safety and allergenicity of Cry protein have been rigorously tested using rodent, farm animals, and human experiment and bioinformatics research tools. The insecticidal function of Cry protein only works in the alkaline environment of the insect gut where specific receptors on the membranes of midgut epithelial cells present. Other non-target organisms (humans, rhesus monkeys, mice, rats and cows etc.) lack these receptors. Regulatory agencies in US, EU and other countries have confirmed the history of safe consumption of Bt crop and Cry protein residues on crops and in drinking water. Food processing can minimize dietary intake to functionally active Cry proteins. Bt crop contributes to reduce use of insecticides and improves the safe consumption of corn grain by lowering contamination from fumonisin mycotoxins.

Key words: Genetically Modified, Insect Resistance, Bacillus thuringiensis, Cry protein, food safety1

摘要： 苏云金芽孢杆菌(Bt)微生物制剂是农业、林业和饮用水等领域用来控制靶标害虫幼虫的有效工具,至今已经有50余年的使用历史。同时其在美国、欧洲和其他一些国家被广泛用于经过认证的有机农业生产之中。目前已获审批的转基因Bt作物中最常使用的是Cry蛋白。Cry蛋白的作用机制、食品安全性以及致敏性已经经过啮齿类动物、农场动物和人体内试验和生物信息学研究的严格检验。Cry蛋白的杀虫作用只在靶标害虫的碱性消化道内,与中肠上皮细胞的特异蛋白受体结合才能起到杀虫作用,而其他非靶标生物体内(人类、猕猴、小鼠、大鼠和牛等)都被证明没有这种特异蛋白质受体。美国、欧洲和其他国家的管理机构都已经证实了转基因Bt作物和Cry蛋白在农作物和饮用水中残留的安全性。食物加工过程能够最大化地减少转基因作物中功能性Cry蛋白的摄入。转基因抗虫作物有利于降低农药杀虫剂的使用的同时,也能够有效防止玉米中伏马菌毒素的污染。

关键词: 转基因, 抗虫, 苏云金芽孢杆菌, Cry蛋白, 食品安全