Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Guaraná Genome Research

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 27 2002 (IPS) - The guaraná (Paullinia cupana), the famous bush from the Brazilian Amazon, is the first species of the region subjected to genome research, with the goal being to unlock the secrets of its metabolism, and to improve the productivity and quality of the fruit. Rich in caffeine, the guaraná fruit rose to international fame through soft drinks based on its seeds.

The two-year genome research project, to begin in November, has the financial backing of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology and of local development institutions.

The scientists involved in the project point out that they will not decipher all of the gene sequences, but will focus on those that determine certain characteristics of the guaraná.