London, March 13 (ANI): Scientists hope to genetically tweak ordinary oranges into 'healthier' blood oranges, which could combat obesity and heart disease.

They have identified the 'ruby' gene that makes the blood orange red.

The distinctive red pigment is believed to have health benefits, which include combating obesity and heart disease.

They also discovered how the gene is activated, raising the possibility of switching it on in ordinary 'blond' orange varieties, the Daily Mail reported.

One recent study found that drinking blood orange juice with a full English breakfast reduced the harmful effects of a fat-laden fry-up.

Blood oranges need a period of cold as they ripen and currently the only place where they can be reliably grown on a commercial scale is in the foothills of Mount Etna in Sicily in the Mediterranean.

As a result, blood orange juice is hard to come by and a carton costs about 1pounds more than ordinary orange juice.

"Blood oranges contain naturally occurring pigments associated with improved cardiovascular health, controlling diabetes and reducing obesity," said Professor Cathie Martin, who led the research team from the John Innes Centre in Norwich.

"Our improved understanding of this trait could offer relatively straightforward solutions to growing blood oranges reliably in warmer climates through genetic engineering," she stated.

The pigments are anthocyanins, chemicals that colour red, purple and blue fruits.

Continued here:
Gene that could turn 'normal' fruit into 'healthier' blood oranges identified

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