A love-apple a day keeps the doctor away?

The family Solanaceae contains many important food and drug plants, such as potatoes and henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), and it is becoming evident that some members, such as the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), combine the virtues of both. For example, lycopene, the pigment that makes tomatoes red, appears to be effective in killing human oral cancer cells in vitro. A team led by Betty Schwartz at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel) is now examining its effectiveness in vivo. Another boost to the fruit's health-giving properties is provided by Shelagh Muir and colleagues [Nat. Biotechnol. (2001) 19, 470–474] who have genetically engineered Petunia chalcone isomerase into tomato, resulting in up to a 78-fold increase in flavonols. Flavonols are powerful anti-oxidants, high levels of which are correlated with a decreased risk of heart disease. [Watzman, H (2000) New Sci. 23/30 December, p. 4; Chapman, J. Daily Mail (2001) 1 May, p. 19]. NC