by: Chris Angelo Bartolome | Resistome
After being classified as a non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO), the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) approved the import and cultivation of newly developed non-browning bananas across the Philippines last June 24, 2024.
Tropic Biosciences, a UK-based agricultural biotechnology company focused on sustainable crop development, developed these bananas. Using the gene-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9, they deactivated the gene responsible for producing polyphenol oxidase (PPO)—an enzyme that causes browning in fruits and vegetables when exposed to air. This innovation improves the shelf life of bananas by eliminating the browning process commonly observed in traditional varieties.
Tropic claims that this advancement can cut food waste and the supply chain's carbon footprint by over 25%, which is significant considering that nearly 60% of bananas are wasted before reaching consumers.
“This innovative product can support a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 2 million passenger vehicles from the road each year,” Tropic stated in their press release.
Tropic is also using gene-editing technology to develop a disease-resistant banana to address the ongoing crisis in the banana industry caused by Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (Panama TR4). This soil-borne fungal disease infects the roots, preventing the plant from absorbing water and nutrients, and ultimately causing it to wilt and die.
The non-browning banana was the first gene-edited product to pass through the Philippines' newly defined gene-editing regulatory determination process, paving the way for more gene-edited products in the future.
“The Philippine government has implemented a science-based, transparent, and efficient process for assessing the safety of gene-edited plants. This is exactly the type of system that encourages companies like Tropic to invest in innovative technologies to develop sustainable solutions for Filipino farmers,” said Dr. Ofir Meir, Chief Technology Officer of Tropic.
Queensland Government. (2023, June 4). Panama disease tropical race 4. Business Queensland. https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/crops/fruit-veg/bananas/panama-disease-tr4
Tripathi, L., Ntui, V. O., & Tripathi, J. N. (2024). Application of CRISPR/Cas-based gene-editing for developing better banana. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1395772
Tropic. (2024, June 28). Tropic’s Non-Browning Gene-Edited banana cleared for production in the Philippines. Tropic. https://tropic.bio/tropics-non-browning-gene-edited-banana-cleared-for-production-in-the-philippines/
Tropic’s Gene-Edited Banana determined as Non-GMO in the Philippines. (n.d.). Crop Biotech Update. https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=20135
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