16 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>September</strong> <strong>20</strong> <strong>20</strong>23
Wednesday <strong>September</strong> <strong>20</strong> <strong>20</strong>23 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz NEWS 17 ‘Balls of fruity deliciousness’ • By Adam Burns SCIENTISTS BELIEVE fruit production using lab-grown plant cells could be a solution to the challenges facing growers. The work of the Plant and Food Research team in Lincoln, which is exploring fruit production with not a tree, bush or vine in sight, has been described as ground-breaking. Researchers on the trials hope to recreate the taste and nutritional benefits of regular fruit. The team has been working with cells from several different fruits, including blueberries, apples, cherries, feijoas, peaches, nectarines and grapes, for the past 18 months. Plant and Food Research’s fiveyear trials are funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s strategic science investment fund. Food by Design programme leader Ben Schon said although it’s “early days”, he was excited by what the team had found so far. “Cellular horticulture currently has a smaller profile than cellular agriculture and aquaculture,” he said. “But we believe this is a really exciting area of science where we can utilise our expertise in plant biology and food science to SCIENCE: Food by Design programme leader Ben Schon and strategy leader Samantha Baldwin look at a collection of cells in the laboratory. Right – A cluster of blueberry cells. PHOTOS: ADAM BURNS / RNZ / PLANT & FOOD RESEARCH explore what could become a significant food production system in the future.” The challenge was to create an end product that was nutritious and had a taste, texture and appearance that people were familiar with. Schon said the team are yet to hit this key marker. “In order to grow a piece of food that is desirable to eat, we will need more than just a collection of cells. So we are also investigating approaches that are likely to deliver a fresh food eating experience. “The aim isn’t to try and completely replicate a piece of fruit that’s grown in the traditional way, but rather create a new food with equally appealing properties.” Unlike the burgeoning labgrown meat sector, its fruit counterpart is small globally. High interest and development in controlled environment and cellular food production systems have been reported, with more than 80 companies worldwide looking to commercialise labgrown meat and seafood Strategy leader Dr Samantha Baldwin said cellular growing could solve some major hurdles food producers are facing, including climate change and urban population growth. “Globally, we are seeing rapid growth in both the vertical farming, controlled environment growing as well as cell-cultured meat spaces. “It’s possible that cell-cultured plant foods could be a solution to urban population growth, with requirements for secure and safe food supply chains close to these urbanised markets.” Baldwin said the methods could be of use to outdoor fruit growers, including providing a better understanding of fruit cell behaviour. “We’re talking about cellular horticulture, but actually that knowledge of how the fruit tissue is made, how it ripens, how that is then sensed by the consumer, all of that can actually go into outdoor production in improving the flavour, the taste, the texture of what is being currently grown in the orchards.” Similarly, other groups have pointed to the enormous possibilities of growing fruit in a controlled environment. – RNZ Supplying Growers Since 1981 HARFORD DOMESTIC HOME GARDENER RANGE <strong>20</strong>23 Sizes – 3.4m Wide Range – 4m long / 6m long / 8m long / 10m long / 12m long • Galvanised Steel Frame • Treated Timber Base • Single Skin Covers • Head Height 2.4m Options – Kitset ONLY or Constructed by Harford Greenhouses Options - Pickup / Delivered to Site Sizes – 2.6m Wide Range – 4m long / 6m long / 8m long CALL US ON 03 385 5150 OR 0508 HARFORDS (0508 427 367) 2566341a Our Stories of Living and Learning Discover and explore the heritage of our communities with over two weeks of walks, talks, open days, exhibitions and more! ccc.govt.nz/heritagefestival
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