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English > Current Affairs > Archive by region > Dutch affairs
by Frank Scimone
27-10-2008
Mice fed on purple tomatoes are less susceptible to certain forms of cancer, researchers have announced. The finding is the result of a project involving British and Dutch agricultural researchers.
The purple tomatoes are the result of genetic modification, intended to increase the amount of beneficial chemicals in the fruit. The dark purple colour is a side-effect.
Anti-cancer cocktail
Scientists from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England, and from Plant Research International in the Dutch town of Wageningen managed to isolate two genes from the snapdragon flower which were then introduced into the tomato - a fruit which is naturally rich in antioxidants such as lycopene and flavonoids. Fried tomatoes cooked in olive oil are considered one of the best sources of lycopene.
While it has long been known that tomato paste offers protection against various diseases, the new purple tomatoes are said to be twice as healthy as the old-fashioned red variety.
The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. A study compared two groups of mice which are more susceptible to developing cancers because of a missing gene. (The picture of purple tomatoes is the result of image manipulation.) |
Anthocyanins, flavonoids and lycopene are all believed to have anti-carcenogenic properties, which, at least theoretically, makes the purple tomato something of an anti-cancer cocktail. Anthocyanins are also said to offer protection against heart disease and to prevent infections.
Not enough fruit
Dutch newspaper Trouw quoted Arnaud Bovy of the Netherlands Wageningen University, which also played a role in the tomato project, who says that consumers with a craving for purple tomatoes must be patient. The safety of the genetically-modified tomato has not yet been tested in humans. "As far as I know, nobody has tasted one yet. Official approval is needed, which means there is still a long way to go. However, the British have already made an application."
Tags: agricultural research, antioxidants, cancer, genetically-modified food, health
Sandra, 28-10-2008 - Nederlands
Ugggggggg, I can't imagine myself eating purple tomatos!
Ludwig Messer, 27-10-2008 - USA
This is a new breakthrough in fighting cancer. I liked the part about fried tomatoes being healthy. Ludwig