A team of experts originating from Eastern China has successfully engineered a tomato variety that emits the aroma of popcorn, utilizing cutting-edge gene-editing technology, according to reports from the South China Morning Post.
The novel cultivar was developed within the research greenhouse facilities of the Xianghu Laboratory Biotechnology Institute, situated in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. The innovation is credited to researchers from both China and Australia, with the principal methodology being precise gene editing employing the CRISPR/Cas9 system, frequently referred to as “genetic scissors.”
The scientists managed to deactivate two specific genes responsible for suppressing aromatic compounds. The outcome proved striking: these tomatoes began to exude an odor reminiscent of premium aromatic rice, which strongly evokes the scent of freshly popped popcorn.
China is responsible for cultivating over 70 million tons of tomatoes annually, accounting for more than a third of the global total. However, over time, these tomatoes have become increasingly bland, leading to diminished consumer appeal. To address this challenge, eastern breeders drew inspiration from another staple food—rice. It is known that aromatic rice holds greater appeal for buyers, despite its higher cost. The geneticists achieved their objective by “finely tuning the biochemical processes within the fruit,” as explained by the study’s authors.
The sale of genetically modified tomatoes has already received approval in Japan. This particular approval concerns vegetables that researchers at the University of Tsukuba and the company Sanatech Seed have artificially enhanced with amino acids intended to help lower blood pressure.
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