Purple tomato that fights cancer

[theblackalchemist]

Purple tomato that fights cancer

LONDON: A purple tomato genetically engineered to contain nutrients more commonly seen in dark berries helped prevent cancer in mice, British

researchers said on Sunday.

 

The finding, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, bolsters the idea that plants can be genetically modified to make people healthier.

 

Cancer-prone mice fed the modified fruit lived significantly longer than animals fed a standard diet with and without regular tomatoes, Cathie Martin and colleagues at the government-funded John Innes Centre in Britain reported.

 

"The effect was much bigger than we had expected," said Martin, a plant biologist.

 

The study focused on anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant found in berries such as blackberries and blackcurrants that have been shown to lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases.

 

While an easy health boost, many people do not eat enough of these fruits, the researchers said.

 

Using genes that help colour the snapdragon flower, the researchers discovered they could get the tomatoes to make anthocyanins -- turning the tomato purple in the process.

 

Mice genetically engineered to develop cancer lived an average of 182 days when they were fed the purple tomatoes, compared to 142 days for animals on the standard diet.

 

"It is enormously encouraging to believe that by changing diet, or specific components in the diet, you can improve health in animals and possibly humans," Martin said in a telephone interview.

 

The researchers cautioned that trials in humans are a long way off and the next step is to investigate how the antioxidants actually affect the tumours to promote better health.

 

 

Purple tomato that fights cancer-Health/Sci-The Times of India

[Michaelangelica]

There are already heirloom varieties of purple tomatoes!

Why re-invent the wheel?

This technology is being used (and abused?) for some silly things.

 

When it comes to tomatoes there’s purple, yellow, white, black, orange, pink, as well as the common reds,

Earthbeat - 10/11/01: Diggers Seeds

Aunt Ginny's Purple~#

 

This German heirloom has lovely deep pink purple color 340-453g 12-16oz juicy beefsteak fruits.75-80 days.

Heirloom Tomato Feild Notes

 

There are five black/purple varieties at this site:-

Heirloom Tomato Seed Exchange

What's wrong with a little hybridisation?

Have the old varieties been tested for anthocyanins?

No?

Of course not, they can't be copyrighted and marketed.

[Moontanman]

There are already heirloom varieties of purple tomatoes!

Why re-invent the wheel?

This technology is being used (and abused?) for some silly things.

 

 

Earthbeat - 10/11/01: Diggers Seeds

 

Heirloom Tomato Feild Notes

 

There are five black/purple varieties at this site:-

Heirloom Tomato Seed Exchange

What's wrong with a little hybridisation?

Have the old varieties been tested for anthocyanins?

No?

Of course not, they can't be copyrighted and marketed.

 

Is the color a significant indicator or is it just a side effect of the GM? I've grown the purple tomatoes but tomatoes that contain the same chemicals that are found in dark berries would be different. GM is the wave of the future, to discount it with out study would be a mistake.

[Michaelangelica]

Is the color a significant indicator or is it just a side effect of the GM? I've grown the purple tomatoes but tomatoes that contain the same chemicals that are found in dark berries would be different. GM is the wave of the future, to discount it with out study would be a mistake.

Anthocyanins are usually associated with the colour purple/black

Duke gives a list of the top three (below).

There has been a lot of interest in these flavanoids in the Herbal Medicine field of late because of their anti-oxidant and other health benefits

Ribes nigrum L. -- Black Currant Fruit 40,000 ppm DUKE1992A

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. -- Acedera de Guinea (Sp.), Indian Sorrel, Jamaica Sorrel, Kharkadi, Malventee (Ger.), Red Sorrel, Rosa de Jamaica (Sp.), Rosella (Ger.), Roselle, Sereni (Sp.), Sorrel Calyx 15,000 ppm DUKE1992A

Lythrum salicaria L. -- Purple Loosestrife Flower 10,000 ppm DUKE1

Health benefits:-

Recent Studies Have Shown:

 

*

 

In studies on animals, anthocyanins protected the cell wall from oxidation hazards.

*

 

Cyanindins (the type of anthocyanin most prevalent in Purple Corn) was found to "function as a potent antioxidant in vivo."

*

 

Studies have shown that the anthocyanin known as cynadin is four times more powerful anti-oxidant than Vitamin E.

*

 

A US study found that anthocyanins can be effective in reversing age-related deficits in several neuronal and behavioral parameters.

*

 

Bulgarian researches found that anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects on animals.

*

 

A famous test on hamsters in Italy demonstrated that anthocyanins help prevent capillary damage by stabilizing capillary walls.

Product information and manual

also

Anthocyanin Pigments and Polyphenolics

Function in plants

http://www.charlies-web.com/specialtopics/anthocyanin.html

 

So what these genetic researchers need to show is that they have produced significantly higher levels of flavanoids/anthocyanins than in fruit found naturally. Otherwise I think their research is frivolous and silly and motivated by 'commercial considerations' (AKA "greed").

I have no objection to GE per se, especially when it is used to produce more food. I do object to Monsanto making crops resistant to a weedicide, and seeds that it only sells. ("commercial considerations" x100). We need to tread more lightly on this earth.

 

BTW

I will be in hospital for a few days for a minor op if anyone is looking for me.