Plant physiologists are trying to create the world's first spicy tomato using the gene editing tool Crispr-Cas9.
Researchers in Brazil and Ireland are aiming to activate genes in tomatoes that cause a burning and pungent sensation, like chili peppers.
They found that capsaicinoid genes already exist in tomatoes, but that these fruits need to be genetically edited for the fiery notes to come to life and give us a distinct burning sensation when we eat.
Spicy tomatoes
The proposed process, first described in Trends in Plant Science, explains that tomatoes with the same qualities as chili peppers are likely to be a revolutionary new addition to agriculture.
Tomatoes are about 30 times more productive than chili peppers, so growing them is more efficient, productive and cost effective.
“The proof of concept is that we can transfer the unique qualities of an endemic, less common plant to another, more widespread,” said Lazaro Perez, co-author of the study and professor of plant physiology at the University of São Paulo.
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The research paper states that tomatoes are an excellent species for breeding because they are very biotech manipulative.
Pepper, on the other hand, requires certain growing conditions for seed production. The seeds of this crop do not always inherit the parental traits, which means that the taste and pungency do not always meet expectations.
Improvements in agriculture
The typical yield of hot peppers is about three tons per hectare and takes four to five months to grow. Tomatoes yield up to about 110 tons per hectare, and their growing cycle takes only 120 days.
Agostin Tsogon of the Federal University of Vicosa in Brazil - co-author of the study - told the Guardian: “It is possible to produce [capsaicinoids] in a more economical way. Tomato already has all the genes that produce capsaicinoids, they just are not active. This is the funny side … there are potentially interesting applications for agriculture."
Seeds of pungent tomatoes are still a long way off, but scientists do believe that it is possible, and farmers will one day be able to grow pungent versions of these fruits around the world.