Aleph Null
02-16-2005, 09:38 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/derbyshire/4270119.stm
Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 February, 2005, 11:38 GMT
Deep-freeze project to save fruit
The common Cavendish banana is under threatScientists in Derby are using deep-freeze technology to help protect banana production in Malaysia.
Plant specialists from the University of Derby are studying a deadly fungus that attacks bananas.
One part of the project involves freezing different varieties of banana using cryopreservation so they can be thawed later and used for research.
Biotechnology professor Paul Lynch said: "We want to preserve this fruit for future breeding programmes."
When they are required they can be thawed in warm water and transferred back into the culture room
Prof Paul Lynch, University of Derby
He said the project involved a rapid freezing process which allowed the plants to be stored for long periods.
Prof Lynch will travel to Malaysia in March to work with scientists on infectious diseases that are threatening the main Cavendish banana.
He said: "The Cavendish is susceptible to a fungal disease in the soil that can kill the entire plant - and we want to develop a resistant variety.
"The material from Malaysia will be treated with chemicals and then frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored indefinitely.
"When they are required they can be thawed in warm water and transferred back into the culture room and re-grown in the field."
He said there were a wide variety of bananas in Malaysia - including savoury ones - that were being promoted as an alternative to the common variety.
"They are trying to wean us off the big yellow banana and onto some of the equally interesting flavoursome fruits," he said.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 February, 2005, 11:38 GMT
Deep-freeze project to save fruit
The common Cavendish banana is under threatScientists in Derby are using deep-freeze technology to help protect banana production in Malaysia.
Plant specialists from the University of Derby are studying a deadly fungus that attacks bananas.
One part of the project involves freezing different varieties of banana using cryopreservation so they can be thawed later and used for research.
Biotechnology professor Paul Lynch said: "We want to preserve this fruit for future breeding programmes."
When they are required they can be thawed in warm water and transferred back into the culture room
Prof Paul Lynch, University of Derby
He said the project involved a rapid freezing process which allowed the plants to be stored for long periods.
Prof Lynch will travel to Malaysia in March to work with scientists on infectious diseases that are threatening the main Cavendish banana.
He said: "The Cavendish is susceptible to a fungal disease in the soil that can kill the entire plant - and we want to develop a resistant variety.
"The material from Malaysia will be treated with chemicals and then frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored indefinitely.
"When they are required they can be thawed in warm water and transferred back into the culture room and re-grown in the field."
He said there were a wide variety of bananas in Malaysia - including savoury ones - that were being promoted as an alternative to the common variety.
"They are trying to wean us off the big yellow banana and onto some of the equally interesting flavoursome fruits," he said.