Why are carrots orange?

This may seem strange to some, but scientists still didn't know why. carrot It has a rich orange color. Recently, a group of scientists from the University of Wisconsin (USA) announced that they were ready to answer the most fundamental question that had troubled some particularly inquisitive minds.


It's all about genes

Botanists painstakingly studied 32,115 genes to identify the pigment that turns carrots orange. The gene responsible for the vibrant hue is DCAR_032551. It plays a key role in the accumulation of carotenoids—the natural dyes found in carrots.


How to avoid turning orange

Beta-carotene is present in many fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, broccoli, and spinach. When broken down, it turns into vitamin A, which is essential for human health. Excessive consumption of carrots, which hold the record for highest levels of this nutrient, can cause carotenemia, a condition in which the amount of pigment in the blood increases, causing the skin to turn orange.


The evolution of root vegetables from ancient times to the present day

It is believed that the first carrot harvest was in Asia approximately 1,100 years ago. At that time, the color of the roots ranged from yellow to deep purple. Approximately 500 years ago, ancient farmers succeeded in cultivating an orange vegetable. Random gene mutations caused it to become sensitive to light, which affected its ripening process. The new color did not affect the carrot's taste or nutrient content. Its qualities radically changed between 1970 and 2010—the amount of carotene increased by 50%. This was due to plant breeders who wanted to improve the diet of the average person on Earth.

Author of the article: Olga Bocca "TopCook"

Votes: 1