Transgenic potato plants with overexpression of dihydroflavonol reductase can serve as efficient nutrition sources.

ABSTRACT

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is considered to be one of the most important crops cultivated in Europe and the entire world. The tubers of the potato are characterized by rich starch and protein contents and high concentrations of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and flavonoids. Notably, the presence of the phenolic antioxidants is of high importance as they have health-related properties. They are known to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis, prevent certain kinds of cancer, and aid with many other kinds of diseases. The aim of this study was to find the most efficient way to increase the content of phenolic antioxidants in potato tubers through transgenesis. The results showed that the most efficacious way to achieve this goal was the overexpression of the dihydroflavonol reductase gene (DFR). The produced transgenic potato plants served as a nutrition source for laboratory rats; the study has confirmed their nontoxicity and nutritional benefits on the tested animals.