Chinese scientists have engineered a genetically modified variety of tomatoes with a flavor reminiscent of popcorn, utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 tool, the development of which earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020, according to the South China Morning Post.
These tomatoes, noted for their “surprising aroma,” were cultivated in an experimental greenhouse in Zhejiang Province in eastern China, reports Xu Shenchun, deputy director of the Institute of Biotechnology Research at the Xianhu Laboratory.
The scientist mentions that this aroma could enhance the taste of tomatoes, potentially boosting consumer appeal and market value, similar to aromatic rice varieties.
Xu indicates that they modified the tomatoes without impacting their yield.
In the study, published in the Journal of Integrative Agriculture, scientists employed the CRISPR/Cas9 tool to silence two genes responsible for suppressing aroma compounds. As a result, the tomatoes began to emit “the characteristic aroma of high-quality aromatic rice, akin to the smell of freshly made popcorn with butter.”
Chinese experts highlight that tomatoes are one of the highest-yielding crops globally. However, their flavor and aroma have been gradually diminishing, something consumers have long noticed. Consequently, researchers aim to enrich the taste and aroma profiles of these fruits.
The scientists note that the genetically modified tomatoes do not significantly differ in key traits like flowering time, plant height, fruit weight, soluble sugars, and organic matter content compared to control samples.
Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-tomatoes-373019/
Leave a Reply