Strawberries are not plants that go unnoticed. They develop a flower with white petals and yellow filaments and a bright red fruit that attracts the attention of animals, both fruit eaters, which help them spread their seeds, and insects, that can become parasites. To attract the former and repel the latter it has developed a molecular mechanism with a compound called eugenol.
Researchers at the University of Cordoba and the Campus of International Agro-food Excellence ceiA3 have described the genetic processes that will open the door to increasing the production of this substance, of interest to the cosmetics and food delicatessen industries. Strawberries are a crop of particular interest to Andalusia, since the province of Huelva concentrates 90% of Spain's domestic production.
Researchers have focused on the ripening processes of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) and, specifically, on the molecular basis that have an impact on them. "The ultimate goal is to obtain healthier fruits, with a longer consumption cycle and higher quality," explains the head of the group, Juan Muñoz.
To this end, they select potential genes of interest and make use of big data techniques. From bioinformatics applications, researchers make a screen of the genes involved in processes of agricultural interest. In this manner they are also able to experimentally modify plants and to observe whether silencing a gene improves or enhances the product's characteristics.
The research
The team has published the results of their research focused on eugenol, a compound related to fragrance that may lead to the future production of more aromatic varieties or the creation of second-generation crops to supply different industries, like cosmetics, of commercially interesting compounds.
Eugenol is a volatile compound used by the plant both to attract pollinators and as antibacterial defence. The researchers have identified how proteins called transcription factors regulate the expression of genes which give the signal to produce this compound.
Plant cells have different metabolic pathways that are opened or closed as needed depending on the expression of their genes. Researchers have managed to make exchanges between these pathways and, by means of genetic modification, have been able to open the floodgates of this pathway to obtain a greater amount of eugenol.
Having a greater amount of the compound will make it possible to produce more aromatic strawberries, thus allowing for the creation of a niche segment for consumers who appreciate this property, but also for industries such as those devoted to the manufacture of cosmetics and insecticides. It also has advantages for strawberry producers, as a plant with a greater capacity to generate this antibacterial substance will require fewer pesticide treatments and generate a smaller amount of waste, making them more environmentally-friendly.
Source: El Confidencial