Cancer-fighting broccoli hits the shelves
be hitting the supermarket shelves following an agreement between a
seed supplier and scientists in the UK.
Super-broccoli with serious cancer fighting abilities could shortly be hitting the supermarket shelves following an agreement between a seed supplier and scientists in the UK.
Adding to its portfolio of 120 broccoli varieties, the US developer of vegetable and fruit seeds Seminis has secured exclusive marketing rights to broccoli that contains exceptionally high levels of glucosinolates - a naturally occurring cancer-fighter.
The nutritionally improved broccoli was developed over five years by Dr. Richard Mithen in a plant breeding program at the John Innes Centre, in Norwich, UK. UK biotech company Plant Bioscience Limited (PBL) then licensed the broccoli to Seminis. According to the US company a broad marketing agreement with PBL provides the exclusive right to transform the new basic broccoli lines into commercial products for the fresh produce, functional food and nutritional supplement markets. In return, PBL will receive a royalty.
Researchers at Seminis are currently crossbreeding thebroccoli 'super breed' with commercial varieties adapted to important production areas. Since environmental and horticultural factors can affect the concentrations of glucosinolates in broccoli, Seminis is currently investigating which growing conditions and production practices can optimise these levels.
" In addition to our traditional focus on grower requirements, we have geared our research toward consumer needs and preferences - in this case providing nutritious vegetables with enhanced health benefits," said president of Seminis, Eugenio Najera. He added that commercial products could be ready for widespread trials in three to four years time.
Recent research suggests that glucosinolates are not active in the body,but their breakdown products help detoxify carcinogens (cancer-causing toxins) and suppress the growth of existing cancerous tumours.
