Grapefruit is a beloved citrus fruit known for its tangy and slightly bitter taste. However, what many people may not realize is that consuming grapefruit can have dangerous interactions with certain medications. According to the National Capital Poison Center, at least 85 drugs, including common antidepressants, statins, and antibiotics, have known or suspected interactions with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. These interactions can lead to harmful side effects, as grapefruit contains a class of chemicals called furanocoumarins that can interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs in the body.
Researchers have been working on finding a solution to this issue, with the goal of creating a variety of grapefruit that is safe to consume with medications. A recent study published in the journal New Phytologist by researchers at Israel’s Volcani Institute identified a gene in grapefruit that is responsible for producing furanocoumarins. By editing out this gene, scientists believe they can create a medication-safe variety of grapefruit.
Yoram Eyal, a professor at the Volcani Center, explains that previous efforts to remove furanocoumarins from grapefruit juice have been costly and affected the taste of the juice. However, using techniques like CRISPR gene editing to create a furanocoumarin-free grapefruit could have significant economic and commercial value. The research team at Volcani is currently using CRISPR to develop a set of grapefruit trees that do not produce furanocoumarins. It may take up to four years for these edited trees to produce fruit, but the researchers are hopeful that this approach will yield a safe and tasty grapefruit variety.
The ultimate goal of the research team is to create a genetically edited grapefruit tree that can be classified as non-GMO in countries where CRISPR-edited crops without new genes are considered non-GMO. The absence of the gene for furanocoumarins is not expected to have a significant impact on the health or nutritional benefits of grapefruit trees. In fact, Eyal notes that there are many other antioxidants present in citrus fruits, such as vitamin C and flavonoids.
If successful, the Volcani team plans to collaborate with medical researchers to test the modified grapefruit juice in laboratory and human studies. The long-term goal is to provide furanocoumarin-free grapefruit varieties to growers and consumers, ensuring that grapefruit can be enjoyed safely alongside medications. the perspective of a business owner about the importance of customer feedback for the growth and success of their company.
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