Scientists hope corn will have a purple reign

PURPLE corn could soon be grown in paddocks across the Far North with Queensland scientists developing the new sweet corn varieties to help growers respond to healthconscious consumers.

Being delivered by the University of Queensland and jointly funded by the growerowned research and development company, Hort Innovation, the new varieties are being developed through natural breeding programs.

Head researcher Tim O’Hare said his team was focused on developing sweet corn with high levels of specific phytonutrients.

“Not only is purple corn fun, the pigments in the varieties we are developing are phytonutrients and they have different health benefits to that of a yellow corn,” he said.

“The anthocyanins have been shown to be linked to cardiovascular health and by that we mean lowering blood pressure or reducing atherosclerosis, reducing the chance of having a heart attack.”

While the researchers find the taste of the purple corn virtually identical to that of traditional varieties, they are in the process of asking the experts.

Consumer and professional taste testing panels are assessing the flavour, smell and texture of the varieties.

They aim to help scientists confirm that any alteration does not harm the flavour and quality of the products, and how these new types compare to traditional sweet corn.

Hort Innovation chief executive John Lloyd said Australia was fortunate to have plenty of access to homegrown, healthy produce.

“What this project aims to do is build on that success, and offer growers more varieties to help diversify their product range and respond to the rising uber health-conscious consumer pocket of the market,” Mr Lloyd said.

The new corn varieties are being investigated as part of the $10 million Naturally Nutritious project, using Hort Innovation’s Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Fund.