January 7, 2011

Decoding The Secret Behind Succulent Treats

By Meera Dolasia - 388 words

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Ever wondered why some strawberries are super sweet, while others not so much or why some chocolates taste creamier than others? It's all to do with the same thing that makes each human being different - the genes. Now, scientists believe they have unlocked the code that will take them one step closer to even more delicious versions of not only these two treats, but others as well.

The two separate studies conducted by a team from 38 organizations from all over the world, was led by scientists from France's CIRAD, an organization that tackles agricultural issues. Their mission is to not only create tastier produce, but also, one that is healthier and more resilient to disease.

For the chocolate study, the scientists selected Criollo - A cacao tree that was first cultivated by humans during the Mayan era, about 3,000 years ago. Amongst the 28,798 genes identified, were two that help protect the plant against disease. Also identified, were the genes that influence the amount of natural antioxidants, aroma, color and flavor.

In the case of strawberries, the scientists picked the wild Woodland Strawberry, which they uncovered has an astonishing 35,000 genes or about one and half times the number found in humans. Similar to the cacao tree, they were able to segregate the ones responsible for diseases, aroma, color and flavor.

The scientists are now hoping to use this information to cultivate plants that can resist diseases, which in turn will lead to better yields and more sustainable farming, especially in the case of the highly susceptible cacao tree.

Also, since the strawberry is part of the Rosaceae family of plants, which includes apples, peaches, pears, raspberries and roses, they are hoping to use similar techniques to boost the production of other fruits as well.

Genes are chemicals that determine the traits or characteristics that all living things inherit from their parents. In the case of humans they determine things like how a person looks, how tall he/she is, whether he/she has curly or straight hair etc. etc. Each of the between 20,000-25,000 genes, housed inside the nucleus of every human cell, carry their own blueprint or pre-determined function. It is the malfunction of these protein molecules that leads to all kinds of diseases in living creatures, which is the reason scientists study them so closely.

Sources: topnews.us, cbc.ca,kidshealth.org

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608 Comments

animefan3almost 10 years
This is making me hunger
3 Reply
- bigmeloover 9 years
  Om nom nom... Now, I'm hungry! :D
  1 Reply
nikukyualmost 10 years
Ohhhhh the first pic almost made me faint with hunger... Please can I have it?🙏
5 Reply
- aphphilippinesalmost 10 years
  *Drooling*Can I share it with you?
  4 Reply
- animefan3almost 10 years
  Even I want one nikukyu
  4 Reply
  - peacheslaruealmost 10 years
    i want one even more than you two........
    5 Reply
    - animefan3over 9 years
      No I want it more than you too
      2 Reply
      - aphphilippinesover 9 years
        No.... me!*grabs and runs*
        3 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!! *chases after faster than the speed of light*
        2 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        AHHHH!*Runs faster*
        2 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        You can run, but you can't hide!!!!!!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ha! All this war being waged, over a - *sighs* a chocolate-covered strawberry... :D
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Maybe it's just me that's been living under a rock, but the way you guys crave for that chocolate-covered strawberry makes me think it's a sacred idol or something... :D
        3 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        Lol so true!
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Behold - the holy 'piece de resistance', the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry! :D
        3 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        The Strawberry of the Covenant!XD
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Oh, my god. Yes, just yes! You know what? I bet it'd be funny if the Strawberry of the Covenant was dipped into the 'Fountain of Youth' - erm, I mean, chocolate. :D
        3 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        History ish aweshom.X3
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        You got it - history is love, history is life. :D Not another Shrek reference!
        1 Reply
    - nikukyualmost 10 years
      Every one can share! Lol I sound like a preschool teacher:D
      5 Reply
      - wildpeepover 9 years
        LOL That's Halrious
        1 Reply
      - peacheslaruealmost 10 years
        Waaaaaahhhh! Im calling my mommy to tell on you if i dont get the chocolate part!! Hahah LOL XD
        7 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        I'm calling my mommy AND daddy if you don't let me have at least half of it!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Oh, boy - well, I guess we should auction off the strawberry, then? :)
        3 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        No bigmelo XD
        1 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        Here, lets just buy a bunch and make some? Like friends!
        2 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        Oh yea ok
        1 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        Kaykay....*looks at it longingly then looks at aphphillipines with sad doggy eyes* Jk! I'll love to make candy with you guys! I really want to meet you guys....I even have dreams about DOGOnews, in my dream I searched all over to meet bigmelo....I was so sad cuz I wasn't able to meet her...
        4 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        I saw dreams about DOGOnews two days in a row!!!
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        What?! That's really cool! I wish that party would happen - now. :D
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        We must have that party - you know, the one we were considering a reality a couple months ago... :')
        4 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        Can I join your party plz
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ok! Wait, let's invite everyone here! I bet it's going to be a big Dogo bonanza of a party! :D
        4 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        I call dibs on coming!
        2 Reply
        gso44over 9 years
        can i come?
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Of course, everyone who's ever used Dogo News is invited! :D
        2 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        Yeah!Rave!
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        There's going to celebrities there! Like, maybe we could get famous singers to perform! :D
        4 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        Pretty pretty please can we have Taylor Swift as our singer??
        2 Reply
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        OMG ,that would be so awesome!
        2 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        Ok sure
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ok, it's time to hire some party planners! Who do you guys recommend? :D
        4 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        All of us like what diamond kid
        1 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        Bigmelo, Crystalmori, Nikuyu, Animefan3, Aphphilippines, Peacheslaure, Frankiebaby, and me should all be the party planners! Who else agrees or thinks so too.
        5 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        Thanks, diamonskid! Now,let's start on a date. Sometime in the summer?
        2 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        Summer Vacationshould be the best time!
        2 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        Ok then. Me nikuyu and Crystalmori will ask the CEO or authors of the site to organize one.
        2 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        Bigmelo, you go around asking people if the want to come.
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ok! I got this, guys! :D
        1 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        And Animefan3 and Diamondkid will design invatations. Let's do this!
        3 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        Ok sure I agree diamond kid
        2 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        Let's do this together then.
        3 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        Yea hire people for the party bigmelo
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        I'm going put an advertisement in the newspapers for this party! I bet it's going to be great! :D
        3 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        I bet
        2 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        CRYSTALMORI!!!!
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Wait - we need to manufacture like, a lot of invitation cards. We need a card manufacturer! Does anybody know one? :D
        3 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        I'm a really good anime artist!:D
        2 Reply
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        Yay! :D
        0 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        *gasps* We can make anime-themed cards! :D
        0 Reply
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        Great! Why don't we pick four different animes, draw a card for each of them and then make copies? Or did you jst mean anme-style cards, and I'm getting crried away?
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        All right - we can manufacture some more at the BigMelo & Co. Factory! :D
        5 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        Let's get started! *Walk into huge kitchen*
        5 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Hey, Chef aphphillippines! Let's get started - I'll go grab a selection of chocolate; you tell me which one's the best. :D
        3 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        Will there be a sports event because if there is I love soccer! :)
        2 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        Forever Orange!Viva la Dynamo
        2 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        *grabs* Umm, I think we should make different flavors!They're all good!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Great idea! We could even mix flavors to make cool categories of strawberries! :D
        2 Reply
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        Sweet green ta flavor! (Like the kitkats)
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Yummy...:D Speaking of that, I'm going to go grab some chocolate now! :D
        1 Reply
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        Man, I love those. And Meiji chocolate. Oh great, now I'm getting hungry. XD
        2 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        YES! Meiji is amazing!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Now, my stomach is yelling at me because I read that. Hey stomach, you know what? You could take a couple meals - settle down a bit. :D
        3 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        Mochi flavor!XD
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ha! Yummy... :D
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        The bid starts at a mere sum of 3 likes! :D
        6 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        DIBS!
        2 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        Whoever wants to be a part of this party and has not joined yet like this comment and leave us a comment and then you will get a free pass. If your not in this group: Bigmelo, Crystalmori, Nikuyu, Animefan3, Aphphilippines, Peacheslaure, Frankiebaby you can join and get a pass.
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Let's get started! Our first bid is by aphphillippines! :D Going once, going twice...
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        I swear, this has got to be one of the longest ongoing Dogo conversations I've ever been involved in... :D
        1 Reply
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        In case you guys were wondering, the reason I didn't get involved with it b4 was that I took some time off of dogo. I've been really busy lately. But I made sure to properly read all your messages!
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        I know, right? Next week, I'm taking the state tests & believe me, they're nightmares that last for 3 days in a row. :D
        2 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        I feel you. Last week there was a HUGE test that all the kids in my grade in Japan had to take. It made me wanna faint...
        1 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        I take the state tests for 5 days.
        2 Reply
        aphpiriover 9 years
        So am I!X3 Good luck!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        You, too! :D
        1 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        I am so proud that I started it!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        And I'm happy that you did - it's a lot of fun! :D
        1 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        Right?So small...
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        I know, it's just, so microscopic... :D
        1 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        Yeah, I can't see what I'm writing cuz it's so small!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ha! I mean, I have to zoom in to like, 500% to be able to see it! :D
        1 Reply
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        I never tried zooming it. Thanks for the idea!
        1 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        Lol
        2 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        It's redicualis!
        1 Reply
        aphphilippinesover 9 years
        Yes, I knoe I spelt that wrong.
        1 Reply
        gso44over 9 years
        Can I join?
        1 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        Yes I guess because your part of this conversation
        2 Reply
        animefan3over 9 years
        Of course
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Of course, gso44! In fact, everyone's welcome here, so nobody has to ask! :D
        1 Reply
        gso44over 9 years
        sing to the tune of jingle bells tune when it goes jingle bells! jingle bells ! jingle all the way! oh wheat fun...
        2 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ha! You're good at writing parodies! :D
        1 Reply
        gso44over 9 years
        Chocalte! Chocalte! O h so yummy! Robin eats you, Batman eats you must be yummy. Dashing through the pools of sticky chocolate. I t is soooo fun eating chocolate. (Repeat theme)
        6 Reply
        sherlockcutepupover 9 years
        I like it.
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        You got me good for sure - this is hilarious! :D
        3 Reply
        gso44over 9 years
        i can make money out of this i can see it already- Gso44's parodies and co
        3 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        You should make a theme song for DOGOnews! Like on the tune of Let it go? That would be more than awesome!
        1 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        Ha! However, you'd be up against some big name players, such as Weird Al Yankovic - he's been in the business for years! :D
        3 Reply
        sherlockcutepupover 9 years
        wow
        1 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        What other events are you planning Bigmelo?
        3 Reply
        bigmeloover 9 years
        We should make a major series of invitations to concerts, sports games, & more! What do you guys think! :D
        2 Reply
        nikukyuover 9 years
        I vote for a Birthdayparty, or a simple meet'ngreet!
        1 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        I call sports!
        3 Reply
        diamondkidover 9 years
        Andmaybe games!
        3 Reply
jessicaabout 10 years
lol guys
1 Reply
youtube guyabout 10 years
it is delishis
1 Reply
Headream100over 11 years
Huh okay cool learned boring stuff but cool anyway
0 Reply
Danielover 11 years
The picture looks nasty.
0 Reply
akaneoncitylighover 11 years
Umm is it odd to have strawberries with salt? Cuz other people eat it with sugar.
5 Reply
- crystalmoriover 9 years
  Never thought of that before, but it sounds yummy! I also hear that apple slices with salt are really good.... And, personally, I love salted avocado! Just as long as you don't overdo it....
  0 Reply
- bigmeloover 9 years
  Good question! I don't know, maybe I'll try some & let you know! :D
  1 Reply
kylieover 11 years
cool i love choclate like strawberries with chocolate yum yummy
1 Reply
pizzaalmost 12 years
cool
0 Reply
v sisteralmost 12 years
man I'm so eating one
0 Reply