Japan: GM eggplant with high beta-carotene content developed

Published Apr 11, 2024

Tridge summary

In a groundbreaking study by Ryukoku University and Osaka Metropolitan University, researchers have engineered transgenic eggplants enriched with beta-carotene, achieving levels five times higher than normal by incorporating a PSY gene from Erwinia uredovora. These genetically modified eggplants, cultivated under artificial lighting, not only offer enhanced nutritional value but also present a challenge, as their reduced size indicates a possible trade-off between nutrient accumulation and fruit development. This advancement opens new avenues for producing nutritionally superior eggplant varieties optimized for artificial lighting environments.

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Original content

Researchers at Ryukoku University and Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan have grown transgenic eggplants with high beta-carotene content. These crops were grown under artificial lighting. Eggplants, which are a staple food in India and other countries in South and Southeast Asia, are low in carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, compared to tomatoes. That's why scientists are looking for ways to increase the amount of beta-carotene in eggplants to make them more nutritious. The researchers inserted a PSY gene from the bacterium Erwinia uredovora into eggplant to confer beta-carotene accumulation. Their results showed that the beta-carotene content of eggplants grown under artificial light was 5 times higher than that of greenhouse-grown crops. However, they were ...

Source: Agrodigital