GMO tomatoes will be a new source of vitamin D.
Scientists have modified the plant so that it accumulates precursors of vitamin D. A simple targeted change does not harm the growth of the crop and it is planned to start growing tomatoes in typical conditions.
According to preliminary estimates, about 1 billion people live with vitamin D deficiency, a dangerous condition that can provoke the development of many health problems. In search of a solution, British scientists have turned their attention to nightshade plants, especially tomatoes.
The fact is that some plants can naturally produce precursors of vitamin D, but these reserves are needed to regulate their growth. Blocking the path can lead to the accumulation of the necessary elements, but it can also delay the growth of the plant. Obviously, this is a big problem for growing plants with high yields, the authors explain. Meanwhile, nightshade plants have a parallel biochemical pathway that converts provitamin D3 into protective compounds. This understanding opened up the possibility of modifying plants for human needs.
As a result, scientists have edited the genome of tomatoes and achieved the accumulation of vitamin D precursors without obstacles to growth in the laboratory, writes Nature.
Now the team plans to obtain a permit to grow the crop in the wild. This will confirm that the changes do not affect the plant’s ability to withstand environmental stress. Meanwhile, the road to the emergence of GMO tomatoes on the market can be a long one.
For example, a special version of rice that produces a precursor of vitamin A was previously developed, but it took more than a decade from the lab to the store. The so-called golden rice was developed specifically for the treatment and prevention of childhood blindness.
