Bananas with More Vitamins

Bananas are rich sources of potassium, contain vitamin C and B6, and provide soluble fibers. Researchers in EMBRAPA, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, are now exploring ways to make bananas also important sources for vitamin A, by developing varieties rich in carotenoids, the precursor molecules of the vitamin. Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in the developing world, particularly in countries with the highest rates of child mortality. It leads to blindness, and it weakens the immune system.

The project aims to develop transgenic bananas carrying a gene from tomato. In addition, researchers will collect and characterize native banana varieties of Brazil to select those with high carotenoid levels. “Some native bananas have levels of carotenoids approaching those of carrots”, explained EMBRAPA researchers Damares de Castro Monte and Elionor de Almeida. In addition to their benefits in improving nutrition standards, these varieties, currently not grown for commercial purposes, could represent new income opportunities for small-scale farmers, and an opportunity to raise their standards of living.

Bananas are cultivated in 80 tropical countries, which represent the fourth most important food crop worldwide, and the second most important fruit crop in Brazil.

The full news (in Portuguese) is available at
http://www.embrapa.br/noticias/banco_de_noticias/2007/janeiro/foldernoticia.2007-01-15.0775390832/noticia.2007-01-16.5945024370/mostra_noticia