Abstract With the widespread application of genetically modified (GM) technology, GM oilseed crops and their oil products have raised significant public concerns regarding the safety and traceability of derived edible oils. However, the advancement of GM identification methods for oil products remains constrained by the absence of convenient and reliable extraction methods. This review first categorizes components that are commonly selected for GM identification into DNA, proteins and fatty acid, then critically evaluates the principles, advantages, and limitations of core methodologies, including classical and silica/magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction, protein precipitation strategies, and fatty acid separation techniques. Furthermore, emerging alternative solutions, including functionalized nanoparticles and ionic liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems, are highlighted as potential strategies to address challenges associated with low yield and analyte degradation. We also propose cross-disciplinary insights from forensic and archaeometric trace analysis, as well as the application of microfluidic devices could further enhance the performance of existing GM identification methods. This review not only synthesizes current technological landscapes but also charts a pathway for next-generation pre-treatment protocols, aiming to support accurate, sensitive, and practical GM oil authentication in both regulatory and commercial settings.
Feng et al. (Wed,) studied this question.