In a Spanish study, scientists have developed a new variety of supercharged lettuce containing beta-carotene levels up to 30 times higher than usual, without interfering with the plant's crucial process of photosynthesis.
This innovative 'bio-fortification', spearheaded by the Spanish National Research Council, may soon turn ordinary salads into a supercharged source of healthy nutrients.
Beta-carotene is a vital carotenoid acting as a precursor to vitamin A, essential for maintaining healthy vision, robust immune function, and effective cell growth. It also has recognised antioxidant properties that may help ward off cognitive decline. By storing beta-carotene in fat-storage vesicles within the plant cells' chloroplasts, away from the structures performing photosynthesis, researchers managed to increase the nutrient's accumulation and its bio-availability when consumed.
The team applied this method initially to tobacco plants before successfully implementing it in lettuce, demonstrating its potential for widespread application in other crops. Such bio-fortified foods could become a key tool in improving nutritional intake globally, especially in areas where vitamin A deficiencies are prevalent.
Researchers say this is a breakthrough for the 'greens growing' industry. " It represents a very significant advance for improving nutrition through bio-fortification of vegetables such as lettuce, chard or spinach without giving up their characteristic scent and flavour"
Source: PFN Ai. Archive depicting 'Super Golden Lettuce' on sale
This innovative approach offers a promising future where consuming just a few leaves of "super golden lettuce" may provide significant advanced health benefits, making it an easy and accessible boost to daily nutrition. As this research progresses, it could pave the way for a new category of super vegetables, transforming our meals and our health.
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