Spanish scientists have created a lettuce that is 30 times healthier than the usual one

This is stated in the announcement of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), whose scientists, together with colleagues from the Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Plants (IBMCP) and the joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), joined the group of researchers. The work shows that using biotechnological methods and high-intensity light treatment, beta-carotene levels in leaves can be increased up to 30-fold by creating new storage sites without affecting vital processes such as photosynthesis. Beta-carotene is one of the major carotenoids, pigments naturally found in plants and other photosynthetic organisms that have health benefits, antioxidant, immune-stimulating and cognitive properties. In particular, beta-carotene is the main precursor of retinoids, chemical compounds that perform important functions of the body (vision, cell proliferation and differentiation, immune system), including vitamin A. Research was conducted on ...