Using a gene from a snapdragon flower, researchers have created a purple tomato rich in antioxidants, and a new study has shown that cancer-prone mice that were fed the altered tomatoes had significantly longer lifespans than those that dined on regular tomatoes. The tomatoes’ purple hue was a side effect of the type of antioxidants produced, called anthocyanins.
The tomatoes produce levels of anthocyanins about on par with blackberries, blueberries and currants, which recent research has touted as miracle fruits. But because of the high cost and infrequent availability of such berries, tomatoes might be a better source, says [lead researcher Cathie] Martin [USA Today].
In the study, published in Nature Biotechnology [subscription required], researchers used genetically engineered mice that typically develop a variety of cancers at a young age, and live an average of 142 days. A diet that included powder from the modified purple tomatoes extended the life span of these mice to an average 182.2 days; some mice lived up to 260 days. Regular tomatoes had no affect on the average life span [Ars Technica].
Professor Martin said: “This is one of the first examples of metabolic engineering that offers the potential to promote health through diet by reducing the impact of chronic disease. And certainly the first example of a GMO [genetically modified organism] with a trait that really offers a potential benefit for all consumers” [BBC News]. However, she stressed that the tomatoes’ beneficial effects must still be proven in humans; if that is determined, it would still take years for the new and improved tomatoes to make it through the regulatory process and onto supermarket shelves.
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Image: Andrew Davis, John Innes Centre
October 27th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Do they still taste like tomatoes? Would people want to actually eat them, or would you eat one a day like a medicine, or a shot of robitussin…
October 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Purple tomatoes already exist in nature. Try Purple Crimson or Cherokee Purple heirloom tomates- why the need for a GMO? Dis they even bother to try a naturally occurring variety?
October 27th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Does anybody know the name of the purple tomato shown above? The so-called “purple” tomatoes I’ve planted (Cherokee Purple, Black Krim) turn out more a brownish-red, both delicious BTW.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
erik,
just because others are purple does not mean that they are purple for the same reason. GM did introduce the particularly helpful gene.
Perhaps the other purple tomatoes DO have similar properties. This could be investigated,but not assumed on the basis of color.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
@ Emily —
The purple tomato pictured above is actually the genetically modified tomato with the snapdragon genes. I don’t think any “natural” tomatoes currently on the market can match that hue!
October 27th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
What a marvelous use of GMO, instead of just bigger roses, or showier hollyhocks…with the antioxidant effect in combination with a colorful salad food/fruit as well!
October 28th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Anna, I agree! Finally a GMO we can sink our teeth into
I can’t wait to make salsa with them.
This article doesn’t answer a lot of the questions raised by this research.
For example, in the paper, the researchers say that boosting anthocyanin levels in heirloom varieties wasn’t able to get the levels high enough (as Emily says, they are more brownish red than purple).
In my blog, Genetic Maize, I’ve attempted to answer those questions as well as raise some new ones. You’re welcome to come on over if you’d like more info.
http://www.geneticmaize.com/2008/10/purple-tomatoes/
October 28th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
It is not “the first example of a GMO [genetically modified organism] with a trait that really offers a potential benefit for all consumers”. GMO rice exists that has been modified to produce beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A that naturally occurs in carots. The rice, called golden rice, is a yellow color. More information is available at goldenrice.org.
Quoting from their website “In developing countries 500,000 people, mainly children, become blind every year, 50% of whom die within a year of becoming blind. Nearly nine million children die of malnutrion every year. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) severely affects the immune system, hence it is involved in many of these children’s deaths in the guise of multiple diseases.”
October 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
“Do they still taste like tomatoes? Would people want to actually eat them, or would you eat one a day like a medicine, or a shot of robitussin…” If you have cancer, I doubt you’d care too much about what it tastes like. But it is still an interesting question nonetheless. Perhaps they’d be good for everyone.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Hi there,
…just to let you know that they taste like natural, red tomatoes (they are “research tools”, not new superfood,btw). No unpleasant or bitter taste. Many natural “purple” varieties (like Cherokee Purple) do not contain anthocyanins. Their colour (more brownish than purple)is due to high lycopene content and persistent (not broken down) chlorophille. Thanx for your interest. I am one of the authors.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
u-gene….is this new purple tomato that contain anthocyanins available to home gardners? If so, where? If not, when? Thanks
October 31st, 2008 at 8:38 am
Emily! At the moment we are not even allowed to move the tomatoes from our greenhouse. I needed a special authorization just to bring a couple of fruits (not the plants) to London and I was not allowed to cut them …”to avoid accidental release of seeds”! As I said, they are just “research tools” at the moment and, with the widespread hostility around GMO in Europe, they are likely to stay like that for many years.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
> I was not allowed to cut them
the photo suggests you’re going to have some explaining to do monday morning
November 6th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Hi there, I would Love to start a greenhouse of these purple tomatoes. I have lots of land that would love to use it for the help research, and help fight Cancer.
November 14th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
how can i get the puple tomatoes or seeds , in usa
thanks
Rick
November 15th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
maybe in general gmo food should be rigged to have different colors then natural for that type of plant. That way, it’d be easier to tell what has been gmo’ed what hasnt. not a perfect solution (this is for like farmers field) but an idea.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Please forward info on how purple tomatoes may be purchased
February 4th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
But i want a killer tomato!!…:)
February 16th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
How can I buy these seeds to grow for my own use? Thnks
May 12th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Keep these tomatoes under lock and key if you grow them-if mice start eating them they’ll live forever.