Onion Without the Tears
February 8, 2008| |
Can tears be far away when onions are sliced for a culinary treat? Senior scientist Dr. Colin Eady of New Zealand’s Crop and Food Research (CFR) and his Japanese colleagues think that a “tearless onion” may be possible in the future through the use of gene-silencing technology.
“By shutting down the lachrymatory factor synthase gene, we have stopped valuable sulphur compounds being converted to the tearing agent, and instead made them available for redirection into compounds, some of which are known for their flavor and health properties,” said Dr. Eady. While the idea of a 'tearless onion" is exciting, the scientist also noted that sustainable and efficient production would still be a major concern.
See the article from CFR at http://www.crop.cri.nz/home/index.php
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