Monsanto Has Vitamin A-Rich Rape Seed

December 10, 1999

Monsanto Company says its scientists have created a new biotechnology crop expected to help alleviate vitamin A deficiency and potentially reduce related diseases that affect nearly 800 million people worldwide, especially in developing countries.

The research will be published in the December issue of the Plant Journal (volume 20, number 4, pages 401-412). The new variety of rape seed produces beta carotene enriched oil which the human body converts into vitamin A. When diets lack sufficient amounts of vitamin A, people can develop night blindness, which ultimately leads to permanent loss of vision; loss of immune system functions, and the inability to absorb proteins.

Most people get sufficient amounts of beta carotene from fresh fruit and vegetables or fortified milk and cereals. However, in some areas, particularly developing countries where diets consist mostly of rice and pulses, the diet often is highly deficient in beta carotene and vitamin A.

Monsanto claims the oil contains the highest concentration of beta carotene of any oil or vegetable available. One teaspoon could provide the daily recommended intake for an adult. Monsanto has grown the new plant in field trials in the United States. Further safety testing for environmental, food and animal safety, including appropriate human consumption levels, should be completed in the next few years.

The enriched oil was created using a gene from a naturally occurring soil bacterium to increase the level of beta carotene present within the rape seed plant. The gene is a close cousin of the plant gene normally responsible for regulating levels of beta carotene production in rape seed.