Tomato ACS2 Gene Mutations Extend Shelf Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tomato breeding techniques struggle to achieve a balance between fruit firmness post-harvest and consumer preferences for taste, texture, and color, primarily due to the limitations of fruit ripening processes which lead to short shelf life.
Innovation Solution
Introduction of Solanum lycopersicum plants with an acs2 allele containing specific mutations that result in a mutant acs2 protein with reduced activity, leading to lower ethylene production, slower fruit ripening, and a longer shelf life compared to wild-type plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional tomato breeding techniques are used to maintain fruit firmness, then post-harvest firmness is improved, but consumer preferences for taste, texture and color are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the biochemical parameter of ethylene production by introducing mutations in the ACS2 gene, which encodes ACC synthase. This enzymatic parameter change leads to altered ripening kinetics, allowing fruits to maintain firmness longer while still developing acceptable taste, texture and color properties that satisfy consumer preferences
2Adaptability or versatility
If fruit ripening is accelerated to meet consumer preferences for taste, texture and color, then consumer preference satisfaction is improved, but shelf life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic ripening profile by modifying ACS2 gene function, resulting in fruits that ripen more slowly and controllably. This dynamic adjustment of ripening rate allows extension of shelf life while ensuring that when consumers do receive the fruit, it can still achieve acceptable sensory qualities
3Speed
If ethylene production is increased to promote ripening, then ripening speed is improved, but shelf life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing ethylene production to accelerate ripening, the invention inverts the approach by reducing ethylene production through ACS2 gene mutations. This inverse strategy slows ripening speed, thereby extending shelf life while still allowing fruits to develop acceptable consumer qualities over the extended period
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modified acs2 allele in tomato plants effectively delays fruit ripening and extends the shelf life, addressing the challenge of maintaining fruit firmness and meeting consumer preferences.
Implementation Method 1
ACC synthase (ACS) is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) from S-Adenosyl methionine. ACC is then converted into ethylene catalyzed by ACO.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to cultivated plant of the species Solanum lycopersicum comprising a acs2 allele having one or more mutations, said mutations resulting in production of a mutant acs2 protein having loss-of-function acs2 protein or reduced function compared to wild type Acs2 protein.