Indian-Origin Scientist Develops Fruits That May Prevent Diabetes, Obesity

09 January, New Delhi

An Indian-origin scientist and his colleague have developed genetically engineered limes containing some similar genetic factors that are expressed in grape skin and blood orange pulp. These modified Mexican limes have a protein that induces anthocyanin biosynthesis, the process that creates the red in red wine, and causes the limes to develop a range of colours in the pulp from dark purple to fuchsia.

University of Florida horticulture scientist Manjul Dutt and Jude Grosser from the UF Citrus Research and Education Centre are developing these fruits plants. Dutt and Grossers study has been published in the January edition of the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science.Anthocyanins are beneficial bioflavonoids that have numerous roles in human well-being, Dutt explained.

Numerous pharmacological studies have implicated their intake to the prevention of a number of human health issues, such as obesity and diabetes.Anthocyanins also naturally occur in a variety of oranges called blood oranges, which has a red to maroon coloured flesh and, some say, a better taste than the usual blond oranges.

But blood oranges need cold temperatures to develop their trademark vibrant colour. They grow and colour well in the cooler climates of Spain and Italy, but do not exhibit the characteristic blood red colour when grown in the subtropical climate of the Florida citrus belt.These new limes were developed using genes isolated from the red grape Ruby Seedless and the blood orange Moro. Research on the utilisation of these genes was conducted initially to develop a more consumer-friendly, alternative, plant-derived, system. They are the first step toward subtropical farmers producing blood oranges and, possibly, a new grapefruit cultivar.

In addition to changing the colour of the fruit, the introduction of anthocyanins also change the colour of leaves stems and flowers, and could lead to the creation of ornamental citrus plants.Novel fruit, leaf, and flower colours could be produced by regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis, Dutt said. Flower colour ranged from light pink to fuchsia.