Fresh,even after 45 days

Developed at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR),New Delhi,the tomatoes will retain their firmness and texture for as long as 45 days without refrigeration as compared to the ordinary ones that go bad in less than 15 days.

Researchers at NIPGR used a well-known trick known as RNA interference to silence the genes — alpha-Man and beta-Hex — found in two

enzymes of the tomato to slow down their ripening. “The shelf-life was increased three-fold by silencing the genes,” said Professor Asis Datta,who led the research team at NIPGR.

The GM tomatoes lacking alpha-Man were approximately 2.5 times firmer than conventional tomatoes

and those lacking beta-Hex were two times firmer.

The research was published in US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this month.

Even as the new tomato comes amid mounting controversy over genetically modified food crop,it may not be fodder for the anti-GM brigade.

Prof Datta is confident that his research will not run into any controversy. For,he says GM tomato — unlike Bt brinjal — “has no foreign or new gene inserted into it and uses a safe promoter”. The RNA interference technique involves designing special gene sequences that only stops the activity of the target genes,he added.

Prof Datta also said tinkering with the same two enzymes could help increase the shelf-life of banana and papaya as well. “We need more experiments for that though,” he said.

The scientific breakthrough is good news for India,the world’s second highest producer of fruits and vegetables,where post-harvest losses in horticulture produce accounts for 35-40 per cent due to softening during transportation and lack of cold storage facilities.

“The tomatoes are going to be very cost-effective for farmers,as they can then easily do without storage facilities,” Prof Datta said

There’s time before the tomato reaches the market. NIPGR is in the process of approaching the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) under the department of biotechnology seeking permission for limited field trials. Animal safety tests will also follow.

Once the RCGM approves it,the GM tomato has to be cleared by country’s apex regulatory body — Genetic Engineering Approval Committee under the Union Environment Ministry — before it is commercialised. If all goes well,the entire process should be over in less than two years,said Prof Datta.