World-first QUT research that has produced a golden-orange fleshed banana, rich in pro-vitamin A, has been published today in the prestigious Plant Biotechnology Journal.
Key points:
- QUT has produced Ugandan bananas high in pro-vitamin A
- Cooking bananas are the staple food in rural Uganda
- Worldwide 650 000 – 750 000 children die from vitamin A deficiency
- Ugandan farmers will be growing pro-vitamin A rich bananas in 2021
- A humanitarian project backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Watch videos (click on images):
Above video includes Distinguished Professor James Dale interview grabs.
Below video text over images
The decade-long research, led by Distinguished Professor James Dale, involved extensive laboratory tests at QUT as well as field trials in north Queensland.
Professor Dale said the genetic modification process had resulted in the identification and selection of banana genes that could be used to enhance pro-vitamin A in banana fruit.
Professor Dale describes the development of the biofortified banana as a significant humanitarian project.
“The East African Highland cooking banana is an excellent source of starch. It is harvested green then chopped and steamed,” Professor Dale said.
“But it has low levels of micronutrients particularly pro-vitamin A and iron. The consequences of vitamin A deficiency are severe.”
He said it had been estimated that 650,000-700,000 children world-wide die from pro-vitamin A deficiency each year with a further several hundred thousand going blind.
“What we’ve done is take a gene from a banana that originated in Papua New Guinea and is naturally very high in pro-vitamin A but has small bunches, and inserted it into a Cavendish banana,” Professor Dale said.
“Over the years, we’ve been able to develop a banana that has achieved excellent pro-vitamin A levels, hence the golden-orange rather than cream-coloured flesh.
“Achieving these scientific results along with their publication, is a major milestone in our quest to deliver a more nutritional diet to some of the poorest subsistence communities in Africa.
“Our science works,” Professor Dale said, “and it’s technology that was developed here at QUT.
“We tried and tested hundreds of different genetic variations here in our lab and in field trials in Queensland until we got the best results.
“These elite genes have been sent to Uganda in test tubes where they have been inserted into Ugandan bananas for field trials there.”
Professor Dale said another really pleasing aspect of the project was the fact that young Ugandan students, who came to QUT to undertake their studies, had now completed their PhDs and were overseeing the research and field trials in Uganda.
Learn more: QUT develops golden bananas high in pro-vitamin A
The Latest on: Vitamin A deficiency
[google_news title=”” keyword=”vitamin A deficiency” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- Three red flag signs at the dinner table you could be deficient in key vitaminon May 13, 2024 at 1:00 am
Severe cases of this deficiency could raise your risk for serious health issues including diabetes, heart failure and even stomach cancer.
- Vitamin Newson May 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Archaeological Evidence of Seasonal Vitamin D Deficiency Discovered Jan. 31, 2024 — Rickets ran rife in children following the Industrial Revolution, but new research has found factory work and ...
- Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?on May 9, 2024 at 9:00 am
Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD Many factors can contribute to hair loss, including genetics, childbirth, and certain diseases. Hair loss can result from a lack of nutrient-rich foods, ...
- Dad who thought he had vitamin deficiency actually had rare 'three in a million' diseaseon May 7, 2024 at 2:40 am
Martin Williams, 52, suddenly started to lose function in his legs and gradually lost the ability to control his arms and hands and had to be fed by his wife Elena ...
- Vitamin D Newson May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Dec. 1, 2023 — A major clinical trial has found that vitamin D supplements do not increase bone strength or prevent bone fractures in children with vitamin D deficiency. The findings challenge ...
- 10 Foods That Are High in Vitamin E and How They Help Your Runon May 6, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Recovery requires more than just rest, though. You also need to eat right, and vitamin E is one component of a nutrition plan that supports recovery. “Consuming adequate vitamin E in the diet can help ...
- 7 Signs You Have Vitamin B1 Deficiencyon May 5, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Vitamin B1 is also called thiamine, plays an important role in the body's metabolism and nerve function. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to various health problems. The deficiency of vitamin B1 ...
- Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Unexplained High Blood Pressure?on May 4, 2024 at 12:49 am
The primary function of vitamin D is to support bone health However studies have also discussed its link with high blood pressure ...
- Study links endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure to poorer sleep and vitamin D deficiencyon April 30, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Study in the journal Nutrients links exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals with vitamin D deficiency and reduced sleep duration, suggesting a compounded negative impact on health.
- Can You Take Vitamin C and Iron Together?on April 30, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Iron is often sold in products that also contain vitamin C. Vitamin C can enhance iron absorption, but, as with all supplements, there are considerations.
via Google News and Bing News