GENETICALLY engineered, unusually tomatoes, which have a protectmechanism against cancer and heartdiseases, may come up as the answer tothe caloric-conscious'craving for healfood (New Scientist, Vol 147, No 1995)
Developed by Peter Bramley anycolleagues at the Royal HollowayCollege, London, these tomatoes contain large amounts of antioxidants -lycopene and beta-carotene. It Vbelieved that these compounds expel thehighly reactive free radical compoundfrom cells. The free radicals have thepotential for damaging the DNA and even lead to cancerous mutations.Besides, they are believed to trigger onreactions which lead to fat deposits inthe arteries, thus causing heart attacks.
Lycopene, which gives tomatoestheir red colour, is present in twice twicenormal quantity in the genetically engineered variety. Its even distributionthroughout the inner parts of theBramley tomatoes results in their musually red hue.
mmunei belonging to a groupUnfib which impart the brightWhim to carrots, are also preventqmmtities in the tomatoes,wriety of other fruits andIL 5 1 - are now trying tobeneficial effects of higherm(coaknoids in the diet. Sayswe developing technologyfruit and vegetables so that they produce more."
The extra lycopene and betacarotene was produced by inserting agene (into the tomatoes) which createsphytoene synthase, a compound inplants which triggers the synthesis ofmany carotenoids. The researchers havebegun evaluating some 30 other types ofcarotenoids. They are also studyinggenes or gene groups which would helpin the production of carotenoids. If successful, the team would go on to engineer other fruits and vegetables, including peppers and carrots.