Carrots are often associated with Orange color, but it turns out that this trait is the result of just three specific genes. However, these genes play a crucial role: they promote the development of beta-carotene, a pigment which is a source of provitamin A, essential for our health. This is what reveals a new study published in the specialized journal Nature Plants.
“Genes present in orange carrots promote the development of alpha and beta carotene”
Research on the genetics of 630 types of carrots revealed that three genes are responsible for the orange color of carrots, and that all three must be “turned off” for this color to occur. Massimo Lorizzo, associate professor of horticultural sciences at the Plants for Human Health Institute at the University of North Carolina, co-author of the study, explains: “In our study, we identified three genes responsible for the accumulation ofalpha and beta carotenewhich give carrots their orange color.” He adds that two of these genes appear to regulate the development of chromoplasts, the organelles of plant cells where alpha and beta carotene accumulate, while a third gene would regulate communication with the photosystem, where beta carotene is used for the proper functioning of the cellular system. The professor says that future research will confirm this hypothesis.
The carrot is one of the richest sources of an essential nutrient that our bodies do not produce.”
The orange color of carrots comes from the presence of carotenoids, pigments that are precursors to the production of vitamin A in the human body. Professor Massimo Lorizzo concludes by emphasizing that the carrot is one of the richest sources of alpha and beta caroteneprecursors of vitamin A, a essential nutrient that our body does not produce. He specifies : “One of the functions of vitamin A is to improve eyesight. Considering some of the most important sources of provitamin A (beef liver, sweet potato, frozen spinach, pumpkin and carrot), carrot “Needs no cooking, tastes great, is popular with consumers and kids love it – what an ideal source of this essential nutrient.” The antioxidant properties of beta-carotene help fight against aging of skin cells and eyes.
Orange carrots are known for their sweet taste
This discovery confirms the chronology of thehistory of carrots, which were first domesticated in western and central Asia in the 9th or 10th century. Originally, they were purple, but thanks to selective crosses, they acquired various colors. Orange carrots, which first appeared in Western Europe in the 15th or 16th century, may have resulted from the crossing of white and yellow carrots.
Professor Massimo Lorizzo explains: “In the 15th century, when the orange carrot was bred, there was no scientific knowledge of its health benefits. However, orange carrots are famous for their sweet taste and their attractive color, which may have contributed to their popularity. Our data suggest that the orange carrot was selected from a group of white and yellow carrots native to northern Europe, particularly the Netherlands.” He adds : “Now that we know the Genoa responsible for the orange color, we can look at more core samples from Europe and try to determine the precise geographic region where the orange color comes from. orange carrot.”
