Premium chocolate starts with high-quality cocoa beans that are processed in such a way to preserve their inherent antioxidants. Numerous suppliers are engaged in efforts to improve the world cocoa supply.
In mid-September, researchers from Mars Inc., McLean, Va., the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Washington, D.C., and IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown, N.Y., released the preliminary findings of their breakthrough cacao genome sequence and made it available in the public domain. This is the result of a joint-research endeavor to improve the cocoa growing process and represents a successful private/public partnership for the benefit of the world's cocoa farmers, and a more sustainable world cocoa supply.
Cocoa comes from the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao. The tree seeds are processed into cocoa beans that are the source of cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate. But fungal diseases can destroy seed-bearing pods and wipe out up to 80% of the crop, causing an estimated $700 million in losses each year. With worldwide demand for cacao now exceeding production, there is no room for such loss.
Scientists worldwide have been searching for years for ways to produce cacao trees that can resist evolving pests and diseases, tolerate droughts and produce higher yields. Researchers have been testing new cacao tree varieties developed with genetic markers. But having the genome sequenced is expected to speed up the process of identifying genetic markers for specific genes that confer beneficial traits, enabling breeders to produce superior new lines through traditional breeding techniques.
Sequencing cacao's genome also will help researchers develop an overall picture of the plant's genetic makeup, uncover the relationships between genes and traits, and broaden scientific understanding of how the interplay of genetics and the environment determines a plant's health and viability. The results of the research are available to the public with permanent access via the Cacao Genome Database (www.cacaogenomedb.org) to ensure that the data remains perpetually open without patent, as well as to allow scientists to begin applying the findings immediately to crop cultivation efforts.
"As the global leader in cocoa science, we understand the importance of not only investing in this research, but making it publicly available for all to benefit," says Howard-Yana Shapiro, global head of plant science and research at Mars. "As a private company, Mars is in a unique position to drive and fund fundamental science that will support its long-term focus and vision. Although it may not benefit the bottom line in the short term, in the long run, it will ensure mutually beneficial results for the company, cocoa farmers and tree crop production in key regions of the world."
And of course, long-term, this research benefits Americans - from kids trick or treating to those who pump iron - as chocolate improves the appeal of all kinds of dairy foods.
In mid-September, researchers from Mars Inc., McLean, Va., the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Washington, D.C., and IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown, N.Y., released the preliminary findings of their breakthrough cacao genome sequence and made it available in the public domain. This is the result of a joint-research endeavor to improve the cocoa growing process and represents a successful private/public partnership for the benefit of the world's cocoa farmers, and a more sustainable world cocoa supply.
Cocoa comes from the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao. The tree seeds are processed into cocoa beans that are the source of cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate. But fungal diseases can destroy seed-bearing pods and wipe out up to 80% of the crop, causing an estimated $700 million in losses each year. With worldwide demand for cacao now exceeding production, there is no room for such loss.
Scientists worldwide have been searching for years for ways to produce cacao trees that can resist evolving pests and diseases, tolerate droughts and produce higher yields. Researchers have been testing new cacao tree varieties developed with genetic markers. But having the genome sequenced is expected to speed up the process of identifying genetic markers for specific genes that confer beneficial traits, enabling breeders to produce superior new lines through traditional breeding techniques.
Sequencing cacao's genome also will help researchers develop an overall picture of the plant's genetic makeup, uncover the relationships between genes and traits, and broaden scientific understanding of how the interplay of genetics and the environment determines a plant's health and viability. The results of the research are available to the public with permanent access via the Cacao Genome Database (www.cacaogenomedb.org) to ensure that the data remains perpetually open without patent, as well as to allow scientists to begin applying the findings immediately to crop cultivation efforts.
"As the global leader in cocoa science, we understand the importance of not only investing in this research, but making it publicly available for all to benefit," says Howard-Yana Shapiro, global head of plant science and research at Mars. "As a private company, Mars is in a unique position to drive and fund fundamental science that will support its long-term focus and vision. Although it may not benefit the bottom line in the short term, in the long run, it will ensure mutually beneficial results for the company, cocoa farmers and tree crop production in key regions of the world."
And of course, long-term, this research benefits Americans - from kids trick or treating to those who pump iron - as chocolate improves the appeal of all kinds of dairy foods.
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