Tomatoes could become a rich source of vitamin B9 or folate in the near future once efforts of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) to patent their latest research are successful.

If all goes well, then the Repository of Tomato Genomics Resource (RGTR) in the UoH campus will patent a breed of tomato, which will be rich in vitamin B9. The patenting exercise comes after a good three years of research in the RGTR which is currently headed by the varsity’s in-charge vice-chancellor Prof. R.P. Sharma.

“Vitamin B9 is present in different plants and vegetables, but its presence is high in spinach, which is not consumed much by people in India. It is important for pregnant women, as it helps the foetus develop properly,” mentioned Prof. Sharma.

But why were tomatoes chosen over other vegetables? “After potato, tomato is the second highest consumed vegetable, as it is used in several dishes in India. It is consumed commonly in households,” said Prof. Sharma. He further stated that though tomatoes have vitamin B9 in them, it is not high.

According to Prof. Sharma, the varsity is currently in the process of filing a patent for the RGTR’s latest result. When asked if a national or international patent will be filed, he said that it has not been decided yet.