EFSA guidance on analytes, analytical methods, data presentation, and statistical analysis for comparative compositional analysis
| Compounds | •Selection of compounds: the OECD consensus documents on compositional considerations for new plant varieties |
| - Proximates, key macro- and micro-nutrients, anti-nutritional compounds, plant metabolites characteristic for the plant species, and vitamins and minerals in case they are present at nutritionally significant levels | |
| •Specific analytes depending on the intended effect of the genetic modification and the nutritional value | |
| - Oil-rich plant: fatty acid profile | |
| - Plants serving as a major protein source: amino acid profile | |
| - The characteristics of the introduced trait: specific compounds, including metabolites of the potentially modified metabolic pathways | |
| Analytical methods | •Validated laboratory (good laboratory practice, analytical laboratory) |
| •Standardized and validated analytical method: | |
| - Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), Literature, Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety official methods (MFDS) | |
| Data presentation | •A clear format using standardized scientific units |
| •Individual data by location per year | |
| •Combined data across locations and years | |
| Statistical analysis | •A test of difference between GM plants and comparators |
| •A test of equivalence between GM plants and non-GM reference varieties | |
| •Consider logarithmic data transformation to ensure normality | |
| •A linear mixed statistical model for calculation of the confidence limits for both tests |
