Odourless & tearless onions created by Japanese researchers

Odourless & tearless onions created by Japanese researchers


Food/Health

Japanese researchers have finalized, after 10 years of research, a genetically modified onion that doesn't make you cry while you're peeling it. If it has kept its flavour and nutritional values, it however lost its odour.

For nearly 10 years, Japanese researchers from the agribusiness group House Foods have been working on an onion variety that prevents from crying when being cut. In 2002, scientist Shinsuke Imai's team published the results of a primary study pointing to the existence of alliinase, an enzyme responsible for the tears when slicing the vegetable.

Thus, the onion gorges itself with the sulphur contained in the soil during its grown. When chopped, the alliinase is released and creates a reaction by entering into contact with the sulphur in the different layers. As specified in an article from the French economic newspaper Les Echos, the result of this reaction settles in the lachrymal fluid and changes into sulphuric acid. The purpose of the lachrymal fluid being to protect the eye, the body responds to this "attack" with an additional production of tears.

Having genetically isolated that enzyme, the research team has developed an onion range that can be sliced without a tear. Likewise, they took the opportunity to reduce its odour and preserve the consumer's breath. It should be noted that Shinsuke Imai had already received an IgNobel after its primary study was published in 2002, that price rewarding scientific researches deemed to be useless. Furthermore, House Foods hasn't shared any information yet regarding its commercialisation and its use in curries and other condiments sold by the brand.

News written by the team of The-shops.co.uk The-Shops.co.uk

News in the same category

Facebook to Open "Privacy Check-up" Cafés in the United Kingdom

Facebook to Open "Privacy Check-up" Cafés in the United Kingdom

It is no secret that Facebook has suffered from several embarrassing privacy-related blunders in the past.

  • Food/Health
Tesco will gradually decrease added sugar in their soft drinks

Tesco will gradually decrease added sugar in their soft drinks

Evaluated in terms of teaspoons, the amount of sugar in a single can of soft drink is really impressive. Tesco's plan is to cut by 5% the sugar content per year, which is somewhat putting pressure on other companies...

  • Food/Health
Preston: Shop Ramen Opens a Second Kitchen

Preston: Shop Ramen Opens a Second Kitchen

If you live in Preston, and have a passion for Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a variety of Japanese broths, you’ve probably already visited Shop Ramen on Smith Street – on more than one occasion.

  • Food/Health
The best 15 fish and chip shops in Scotland

The best 15 fish and chip shops in Scotland

The dish, commonly called "fish & chips", can be enjoyed in the pub or on the go and consists of a large piece of fish fillet, cod or haddock, - covered with a thick layer of dough, before serving. to be immersed in boiling oil.

  • Food/Health
Odourless & tearless onions created by Japanese researchers