Lincoln: British scientists are trying to create a ‘super potato’ that can be cooked in less time like pasta and rice.
Using gene-editing technology, scientists plan to alter the part of the potato’s DNA that controls the rapid softening of the vegetable’s cells.
To complete this project, Branston Pitto and the James Houghton Institute of Scotland are working jointly under the guidance of the local company BHive Innovations of the British city of Lincoln.
According to scientists, the reason for the decline in the sale of British potatoes is the demand among consumers for carbohydrates that can be cooked in less time.
The project, coded with the tuber gene, also aims to solve another major problem of potato growers, namely potato spotting.
An estimated 5 million tonnes of potatoes are grown in the UK each year, but a large number are wasted because they do not meet commercial standards.
Dr Andy Gill, General Manager of Bee Hive Innovations, said the project is a major step towards addressing losses caused by problems such as potato blight.
Experts are optimistic that genetically modified potatoes will be commercially grown for sale in the market.
