Researchers from Embrapa Develop Super Cherry Tomato in Brazil

07/12/2018 - 11h48

A cherry tomato with higher levels of sugar and lycopene and naturally resistant to diseases has been developed by a research team at Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Company).

Produced through genetic improvement methods utilizing research that got started in 2007 - it isn't transgenic.

Depending on the environmental conditions of the cultivation and crop management, levels of lycopene vary between 100 and 144 micrograms/gram. Typical cherry tomatoes commercialized in the market contain 30 to 90 micrograms/gram.

	Divulgação
	Cherry tomatoes

Lycopene combats free radicals in organisms and aids in cancer prevention - especially prostate cancer

"Clinical studies have recommended the daily consumption of 10 to 60 thousand micrograms of lycopene for effective protective action against prostate cancer. One would need [to consume] 8 to 10 tomatoes weighing 20 grams each to meet the minimum necessary daily requirement", declared researcher Leonardo Boiteux.

The study was conducted in partnership with the Agrocinco company.

In the fruit, levels of acid and sugar are balanced and create firm and crunchy texture with intense color.

The cost of the seeds is about 30% cheaper than those of conventional cherry tomatoes.

The tomato is being cultivated in São Paulo, Bahia, Ceará, Goias, and the Federal District, and it is resistant to plagues like bacterial stain, rust and powdery mildew (which impedes photosynthesis) and is viruses tolerant.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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