Indian scientists develop protein-packed potatoes

Indian scientists develop protein-packed potatoes

A team of Indian scientists have developed a genetically modified
potato which they claim is packed with up to 60 per cent more protein
than an ordinary tuber.
The potato variant created by researchers at National Institute for
Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), here was also found to have increased
levels of essential amino acids, which are otherwise limited in
potatoes.
Reporting their findings in the journal ''Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences'', the scientists said these transgenic potatoes
will gain much public acceptance than other genetically-modified crops
as it uses a gene from another edible crop -- the amaranth seed.
"Because potato constitutes an important part of the diet of many
people in developed as well as developing countries, it is apparent
that this can add value to potato-based products with enhanced
benefits for better human health," said Subhra Chakraborty, the lead
researcher of the project.
"Our strategy also offers unique opportunities for the genetic
engineering of unique traits into the next-generation crop to accrue
nutritional benefits," Chakraborty said.
The NIPGR scientists inserted the gene called AmA1 (Amaranth Albumin
1) into seven types of potatoes and then grew the transgenic potatoes
over two years.
They found that there was a 35-60 per cent increase in total protein
content in all varieties of the transgenic potatoes.
The tubers were also found to have increased levels of amino acids,
notably lysine, tyrosine and sulphur, which are usually limited in
potatoes.
Apart from that, the new crop also had more yield per hectare compared
to ordinary potatoes. In field trials, the transgenic plants produced
15 to 25 per cent more potatoes per hectare by weight.
The researchers carried out tests on rats and rabbits and found that
the new crop has no toxic or allergic effects on them.
"This study represents a major technological advance in translational
research in which the engineering of a seed storage protein has led to
nutritional improvement with essentially no negative collateral
effects on crop yield or quality," the researchers said.
"The commercial potential of genetically modified plants depends on
stable integration and expression of the transgene under the different
genotypic backgrounds of host species, on their wider environmental
applicability.
"Therefore, our strategy may prove to be more acceptable to the
general public than currently used genetically modified crops," they
said.
These potatoes have to be cleared by biotech regulators before
introduction for commercialisation.