US researchers are developing the world’s first purple tomato, which contains the same health-giving property as the blueberry.
The tomato has been under development at Oregon State University for the last six years and comes from a wild species found in South America.
Its dark purple pigment contains the same phytochemical found in blueberries, which is reported to help ward off cancer and heart disease. Red skin at the base of the variety means it also contains the standard tomato antioxidant, lycopene.
According to researchers, it will be the world’s first “true” purple variety but they need at least two more years to inbreed the tomato line and stabilise its characteristics before its commercial release.
However, commercial seed breeders are looking to pip them to the post. US firm Sakata Seed America is reportedly working on a purple variety, which could also be on the market in two years.
The wild purple tomato was discovered hundreds of years ago and an edible hybrid was first developed in the 1960s. Oregon State University picked up the research in 2000 on the back of the tomato’s potential health benefits.
They are currently also trying to improve its flavour by crossing it with the Sungold cherry variety, although it is not thought this hybrid will be commercially available for several years.
