Abstract Several countries and authorities have established relevant regulations on labeling for the surveillance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Therefore, it is imperative to establish appropriate methods to detect transgenic products. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (LAMP) was established for the rapid detection of genetically modified (GM) maize(Zea mays L.) LY038. Four LAMP primers were designed based on the cordapA gene. The LAMP assay was performed under isothermal conditions at 63℃ for 50 min. The specificity of the four primers was verified using eight other maize samples, in combination with enzymatic analysis using EcoR V to digest the LAMP product. All the results showed that the specificity of the primers was satisfying. To compare the detection limit of LAMP assay with PCR assay, seven kinds of different LY038 contents samples (100%, 10%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05% and 0.01%) were prepared. The limit of detection of LAMP assay was 0.01%, which was 5-fold of traditional PCR assay. The established LAMP method has high specificity, high sensitivity and stability. Besides, it doesn’t need special equipment, and it is simple, which shows a good application prospect in primary and field use.
