Genetically Modified Limes Are Purpler and More Healthful

Thursday, January 7, 2016 - 16:34 in Health & Medicine

Courtesy of Manjul Dutt/UF/IFAS Genetically modified limes Left, a lime with genes from red grapes. Center, a lime with genes from the blood orange. Right, a control. Thanks to a few genetic tweaks, your margarita could someday come in a lovely lavender shade—and be better for your health, too. Researchers at the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center have modified the genetic code of limes, making the popular fruit more resilient and healthier for you, and giving it a colorful new tinge. The researchers will publish their work in the January issue of the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, according to a press release. The limes get their new purple hues from molecules called anthocyanins, which also give blueberries and red...

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