Naturally nutritious

There is always a chance for a grower to move into something entirely unexpected, and that’s what coming out of a five-year cross-industry project providing research into more appealing varieties of sweet corn, strawberries and macadamias.

First carrots and now capsicum have been identified as good for your eyes – and it is the nutrient linked to the orange colour that counts.

Led by the University of Queensland in collaboration with Department Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Queensland, a five-year cross-industry project is providing research into innovative and appealing products that are highly nutritious, can be differentiated in the marketplace, and are visually attractive and flavoursome.

Scientists in Queensland are developing purple sweetcorn varieties with the horticulture industry to help growers respond to increasingly health-conscious consumers.

Scientists have discovered an ‘alpha strawberry’ that is very sweet in flavour and has folate levels that may be up to three times higher than standard strawberries.