Bananas are a staple in most people's shopping bags and with 100 billion sold each year, they are one of the most important categories in the fresh produce industry. The most popular variety by far is the Cavendish, which was first commercially produced in 1903 but did not become prominent until 50 years later after the Gros Michel variety was severely hit by Panama disease.
The Cavendish banana has, for many years, been facing similar challenges from the Panama disease. Also, banana consumers face challenges as they are not the easiest fruit to transport or pop into a fruit salad for lunch, shipping bananas across the globe can be expensive as they need to be shipped green and then ripened on arrival, and shipping times are also limited to how long the banana can survive in these conditions.
UK-based biotech company Tropic is on the point of changing the dynamics of the banana sector by launching a non-browning banana variety in March, they will release bananas with extended shelf-life towards the end of the year. Another breakthrough from the company is a Cavendish banana which is resistant to Panama disease (TR4).
"Most fruit we see have many different varieties, but with bananas, it is predominately the Cavendish. The banana is asexual and so does not produce seeds, making it difficult to breed them," explains Gilad Gershon, CEO at Tropic. "But the world has changed and growers are having to deal with increased threats from climate change including more pests and diseases. Other fruits have been bred for the new conditions, but not the banana. We at Tropic used CRISPR gene editing to produce bananas that are non-browning."
Non-browning bananas
This could be a game-changer for the fresh-cut produce industry. "We have edited the genes that control the browning of the fruit, slowing the browning without changing the flavour or texture of the banana. The fresh-cut produce industry has been a growing sector for quite some time now, and this non-browning banana completely opens up that sector to banana growers. It is not just for fresh-cut fruit bowls, but also fresh smoothies and juices. There is 30% less browning within 24 hours of peeling which keeps the banana visually appealing longer than standard bananas."
Tropic still has to receive approval from some countries and regions including the EU, but the bananas already have clearance in Canada, USA, Colombia, Honduras, and the Philippines.
Shelf-life extension
The extended shelf life variety is a separate product from the non-browning banana, the gene editing is done in a similar way, but different genes have been targeted. Bananas ripen quickly, and traditionally are harvested while they are still green, and kept refrigerated during transportation to slow the release of ethylene therefore slowing the ripening process, and then ripened on arrival in the destination country.
"Extending the shelf-life of the banana is done by turning off the ethylene-producing mechanism in the banana. This allows the grower to leave the banana on the tree for longer, at the moment some growers harvest the bananas before they reach full size, in order to ship them green. With the ethylene-producing mechanisms removed the bananas can stay on the trees for longer improving the yields for the growers. The bananas can still absorb ethylene to be ripened when they reach the market. The fruit has around an extra 10 days shelf-life, meaning it can be shipped more slowly and for less cost. It can also extend the commercial reach of the bananas."
Panama disease (TR4)
Panama disease is a massive problem in banana-growing regions, it is a fungus that contaminates the soil and once it is there it can remain for up to 50 years, regardless of whether there are bananas being grown. If this disease gets in the ground, it can be devastating for growers, and whole growing regions. To date, there has been no solution robust enough to eradicate the disease. The Philippines and SE Asia are suffering badly from this.
"We first started testing TR4 resistant bananas in 2022 and over the last few years have had a tremendous number of results. We have done the trials in greenhouses and in fields, and we are very positive about the results. We plan to have a commercial product by 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. None of our processes are GMO so we expect approvals will come in time for product launch.
Reactions to these developments
"Growers definitely appreciate the innovations; it is their livelihoods which are at risk. We have collaborated with growers and multinational companies. Consumers can't be looked at as one group, there are lots of different opinions out there. The nature of the conversations has changed greatly in the last 6-7 years, it is not so much about GMO anymore, but more about whether it is good for the environment or not. People are looking at greenhouse gas reductions, reducing food waste, and less use of chemicals.
"We are very proud of what we do here at Tropic, we have a fantastic team of over 160 people many of whom have dedicated their careers to this research."
For more information:
Georgie Oatley
Tropic
Tel: +44 1603 274437
press@tropic.bio
www.tropic.bio