Sanjai
Last Activity: 5 Years ago
Flavr savr tomato The tomato variety 'Flavr savr is example where expression of a native tomato gene has been blocked. In tomato fruit softening is promoted by the enzyme polygalactouronase which degrades pectin. In the transgenic tomato variety 'Flavr savr', production of polygalactouronase was blocked. Hence, fruits of this tomato variety remain fresh and retain their flavour for much longer period than that of the fruits of normal tomato varieties. In addition, thesefruits have a superior taste and increased amount of total soluble solids. The Flavr savr tomato was the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted license for human consumption. It was produced by the Californian company 'Calgene' and submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992. On May 17, 1994, the FDA completed its evaluation of the Flavr savr tomato and the use of APH (3)I. They concluded that the tomato is as safe as tomatoes breed by conventional means and that the use of aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase II is safe for use as a processing aid in the development of new varieties of tomato, oilseed rape and cotton intended for food use. It was first sold in 1994 and was few years before production ceased in 1997. Calgene made history, but mounting costs prevented the company from becoming profitable and it was eventually acquired by Monsanto Company. only available for a
