USING APPLIED DNA TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT
EGYPTIAN COTTON LOGO
Berrada K.1, and EL-SAYED M. A. M2.
1
2Cotton
Applied DNA Science Inc. NY, USA
Research Institute. Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Undoubtedly, the importance and relevance of using DNA to safeguard our
brand name of EGYPTIAN COTTON and our industry here in Egypt. “We need to
protect the quality and reputation of the textiles and apparel which from
EGYPTIAN COTTON. It's simple really, we manufacture the best cotton cloth in
the world and DNA can be effective in helping us to combat the rising tide of
counterfeit goods.
The objective of this pre-pilot project is to apply an exogenous DNA mark onto
cotton fibers (from two cotton cultivars, Giza 86 and Giza 88), and to authenticate the
DNA that was used to mark the 2 types of Egyptian cotton fibers.
.
INTRODUCTION
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the ultimate reality check. DNA is the
genetic material that contains the instructions for the development and
functioning of plant and animal organisms, and it is found in all living things. The
structure or “code” of DNA is unique to the organism to which it belongs and can
be used as a “tag” or “unique marker” to identify materials to which it is affixed. It
is effectively “nature’s fingerprint”. Turner et al. 2002.
Developed a unique form of DNA protection by developing a proprietary,
patented method to create a marker or “tag” derived from botanical DNA.
SigNature DNA is a green, cost effective and safe technology that can also be
incorporated in formulations of textiles and finished-goods
Counterfeit textile and apparel items, made of Egyptian cotton, represent a
significant and growing problem
with many billions of pounds worth of seizures and losses incurred in Europe, the
USA and elsewhere around the world.
The three most counterfeited areas are:
_ Egyptian cotton Logo
_Egyptian Cotton interior textiles “Underwear”;
_ Egyptian CottonHome textiles
Counterfeiters use an identical or substantially identical mark on goods in order
to pass them off as genuine (whether or not the purchaser is fooled by it). This is
a serious problem that goes beyond fashion into other consumer goods,
pharmaceuticals and even aviation components.
The strong reputation and popularity of designer labels and global brands
make them an easy target for those looking to profit from criminal activity. As a
result, counterfeit merchandise is flooding into the market – sometimes mere
hours after it debuts on the catwalk. While clothing designs are generally not
protectable by copyright law, a designer can protect components of its design,
such as fabric and lace design, but with little protection offered under design,
patent or trade law. However, given the prevalence and ease of taking photos at
fashion shows. Sending them to overseas factories to make fakes and selling
quickly via the internet, monitoring and enforcement can be very difficult, if not
impossible.
SigNature DNA marker is an externally applied marker, which is proven to
be impossible to copy. It is formulated to bind robustly to various substrates, and
is analyzed utilizing established forensic analytical systems, as well as our own
proprietary DNA authentication methodologies. Moreover, the chemical and
physical properties of SigNature DNA marker is different from any other type of
DNA, and is developed to be resistant to various exposures, including heat, pH,
UV, gamma, x-ray etc., and in the case of textiles, it is generally resistant to
launderings and other wash tests.
SigNature DNA can be incorporated at any point in the textile supply chain
as means to link a genuine product to its original source of manufacture. Our
botanical DNA markers can easily be applied to raw cotton fiber, thread, yarn,
woven labels, or to the finished garment.
Hundreds of millions of Egyptian cotton products counterfeits are in the
market. Few of the authentic, original garments actually integrate brand security
measures. Standard apparel holograms on garment hang-legs are easily copied
and in most cases cannot be distinguished form the genuine article. fake
holograms are turning up everywhere. China remains the main source of
counterfeit goods, with almost 60% of all articles seized originating from that
region.
By applying DNA technology, it could be reach to:
 Product and brand protection “Anti – Counterfeit using botanical DNA”
 Increase our consumption of Egyptian cotton 50%
 Increase the cotton home textiles and garment by 40%.
 Verifying and testing the brand name of “EGYPTIAN COTTON”

Commercial applications & Environmental benefits
The Main objective of this research paper was to apply an exogenous DNA
mark onto cotton fibers (from two cotton cultivars, Giza 86 and Giza 88), and to
authenticate the DNA that was used to mark the 2 types of cotton fibers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials Used
Giza 86 fiber
Giza 88 fiber
ADNAS exogenous DNA mark
Method
The ginning process was simulated in ADNS laboratory , New York-USA. It was
estimated that the water content of Giza 86 and Giza 88 were at about 5% of the total
weight. The desired total water content is 8.5%. Hence, it was calculated that each
kilogram of cotton would receive approximately 30 ml of water to bring the humidity
and the water content to the desired level.
Based on these rough estimations, two different DNA formulations were
designed and used to mark approximately 100 mg of Giza 86 and Giza 88 cotton
fibers respectively.
Results
Giza 86 and Giza 88 were cleaned from external debris and the endogenous
surface-bound DNA to the cotton was PCR amplified and analyzed using
capillary electrophoresis following ADNAS proprietary methods. As expected,
DNA was not detected in these two samples Figure 1 and 2, Panel 1).
ADNAS DNA exogenous mark was formulated using formulation 1 and
2, diluted in water, and was sprayed onto cotton in a fashion similar to the
ginning process. The cotton was dried briefly (approximately 30 minutes at
room temperature), and then forensically authenticated. The ADNAS mark was
PCR amplified and analyzed using our proprietary methods. DNA was strongly
detected in both Giza 86 and Giza 88 (Figure 1 and 2, Panel 2). To ascertain
that DNA is bound tightly to the cotton, both Giza 86 and Giza 88 were
subjected to various water washes, the cotton was dried in an oven and then
subjected to a second round of DNA authentication. Despite the vigorous
water washes, ADNAS exogenous DNA mark was recovered using both
formulation 1 and formulation 2 (see Figure 1 and 2, Panel 3 and 4).
Figure 1: Marking and authentication of Giza 86. Panel 1: is background DNA
analysis of Giza 86. Panel 2: Authentication of Giza 86 after DNA marking.
Panel 3: Authentication of Giza 86 after cotton washing.
Figure 2: Marking and authentication of Giza 88. Panel 1: is background DNA
analysis of Giza 88. Panel 2: Authentication of Giza 86 after DNA marking.
Panel 3: Authentication of Giza 88 after cotton washing.
Summary
The pre-pilot study established the proof-of concept that ADNAS exogenous DNA
mark, when applied directly onto Giza 86 and Giza 88 cotton fibers with boiling water
“8 hours exposed”,
is positively recovered from both pre-wash and post wash
samples. The preliminary data indicates that DNA is bound to the cotton fibers
and DNA is detectable even after multiple water washes “exposure the samples
for 8 hours in boiling water.
REFERENCES
1. Turner, R., Kosa, R., and B. Kubu. 2002. DNA forensic evidence. Police
executive research forum. Washington DC-USA.
2. Stony B. 2009. Applied DNA Sciences Marks Raw Cotton with American
Cotton Grower, DNA Authentication Succeeds with Single Cotton Fiber.
Press release. Applied-DNA Sciences Inc. NY-USA.
3. http://www.ADNAS.com