Proteins are made up of several smaller units known as amino acids that are linked to each other by peptide bonds, forming a long chain. According to the researchers, this discovery can help in producing a more nutritionally rich crop which can benefit millions of people in developing countries where corn is staple food.
The scientists inserted an E. coli bacterial gene into the corn plant's genome. The E. coli enzyme led to the formation of methionine in the plant's leaves. It was noted that after the insertion the methionine in corn kernels increased by 57 percent. Moreover, the whole process did not affect plant growth. The jury is still out on whether genetically modified crops are safe for consumption or not. Thomas Leustek, professor in the Department of Plant Biology at Rutgers University, clarified that it might be possible to grow corn with amino acid without genetic engineering and more research is required to understand how this can be made possible.
Inputs from AFP
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