Chinese scientists find new method to sweeten tomatoes

Published Nov 16, 2024

Tridge summary

A team of Chinese researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has made a significant breakthrough in agricultural genetics by identifying two genes that regulate sugar content in tomatoes, potentially paving the way for the production of sweeter, juicier tomatoes without compromising yield. This discovery, published in the journal Nature, could mark a return to the rich, classic flavor of tomatoes that many have grown up enjoying, as modern breeding practices have often prioritized high yields over taste. The research involves knocking out these two genes to increase glucose levels in the fruit by up to 30 percent, with the possibility of similar effects on fructose levels in mass-produced tomatoes. This finding also highlights the potential of incorporating genetic diversity from wild species to enhance modern varieties, marking an important advancement in understanding fruit sugar production and storage.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

BEIJING -- Many people share a nostalgia for the rich, classic flavor of tomatoes from their childhood. This longing is largely due to modern breeding techniques that prioritize high yields, often at the expense of the genetic factors that contribute to a tomato's taste.However, a Chinese team has found a way to genetically release the tomato's sugar brake without sacrificing yield. This exciting development means that sweeter and juicier tomatoes may soon be making a comeback in supermarkets.The researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences conducted taste tests on over 100 varieties of tomatoes and identified 33 flavor compounds that affect consumer preferences.Then, they analyzed the content of these flavor compounds in more than 400 tomato samples from around the world and conducted genomic sequencing. This led to the discovery of 49 genes that influence flavor, including two that regulate sugar content.By simply knocking out two genes, the glucose levels in ...

Source: Chinadaily