Spanish researchers use cisgenic engineering to create nutrient-packed tomatoes with higher levels of flavonoids and branched-chain amino acids, providing potential benefits for those on plant-based diets. The study shows promise for enhancing nutritional content in other crops, addressing malnutrition and health deficiencies.
By Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Sep 27 2023 In a recent study published in Plant Biotechnology Journal, researchers in Spain used a cisgenic approach to metabolically engineer tomatoes and fortify them further with flavonoids and branched-chain amino acids . The fortified fruits showed a multifold increase in amino acids such as valine, leucine, and isoleucine, as well as flavonoids, including kaempferol and quercetin, compared to wild-type tomatoes.
Flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites proposed to play a role in preventing cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer. BCAAs, namely valine, leucine, and isoleucine, constitute about 18% of the amino acids in muscle protein and are critical for anabolism in skeletal muscles. While BCAA supplements are used as standard treatment for sarcopenia, they have also been associated with an increased body mass index .
Results and discussion Compared to wild-type tomatoes, the biofortified fruits had 21-fold higher Leucine, 9-fold higher Valine, 3-fold higher Isoleucine, 64-fold higher kaempferol, and 45-fold higher quercetin. The degree of target nutrient enrichment with this cisgenic approach was found to be comparable to that of transgenesis. Additionally, the overexpression of mSIALS was found to confer resistance to plants against chlorsulfuron, an herbicide.
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