Tomatoes Are Turning Purple?
Scientists have modified tomatoes and turned them purple in order to enhance their nutritional value.
This article is more than 2 years old
While purple tomatoes have already been in existence, a completely new, genetically modified purple tomato has just been approved by the USDA. This purple tomato is completely purple, not just the outside skin. The newly released purple tomato is also rich in antioxidants.
According to an article released by Food52, you can expect to see the brand new purple tomato in a select number of grocery stores in 2023. Though this may seem like a quick release, Cathie Martin, biochemist, has been working for the past 15 years to perfect the purple tomato. Additionally, Martin and her team of scientists have been doing this same type of work for well over 20 years.
APHIS wrote that “the tomato was modified to alter its color and enhance its nutritional quality.” The modification process has left the violot-hued fruit high in anthocyanin. This is the same antioxidant-dense pigment that can be found in blueberries and blackberries.
Though you might assume this is how the purple tomato also gets its beautiful purple color, it is not. The fruit includes two gene splices from a snapdragon flower. Both the snapdragon and the anthocyanin combined, result in deep purple color throughout.
When Martin and her team originally began this modification process, the tomatoes were small. As the modification process continued, the purple tomato was bred with other breeds, resulting in a full-sized, hearty tomato. Throughout this process, Martin and her team have also perfected the taste of the violet-colored fruit.
This new purple tomato contains nearly ten times more antioxidants than a regular tomato. High antioxidant-rich foods are known to protect against cancer, and heart disease, reduce inflammation, and much more. All of this adds up to a fruit that is loaded with health benefits.
While traditional tomatoes contain some antioxidant nutrients, they lack high levels in comparison to purple tomatoes. The combination of the snapdragon flower and the anthocyanin leaves the antioxidant activated. This results in better absorption of nutrients.
The violet fruit is also thought to have double the shelf life compared to the average tomato. This is due to the high amounts of anthocyanin that the purple tomato has been modified with. Thus adding to the benefits of this newly approved fruit.
These tomatoes are not the first modified tomatoes to hit the market. In 1994, the first genetically modified tomato hit the market. When a plant is genetically modified, it is likely being modified to prevent the loss of crops and to add nutrients.
Despite the bad wrap that often comes with genetically modified foods, the purple tomato is a direct response to the needs of the consumer. Martin and her team had a dream to provide a quality and nutritionally dense product to consumers. Through hard work and the power of science, they have delivered.
Not only have they produced the purple tomato that will soon be available in stores, but they are also working to select the top-tier seeds produced from the fruit for gardeners to grow in their very own backyard. Proving their commitment to meeting the needs of all consumers.
