Root to Fruit: Polyphenol Oxidase Regulation in Plants to Improve Food Security.
CWSF · 2026 Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Bronze Medal
Overview
Post-harvest Agricultural Produce is frequently compromised on farms, during transportation from farms to warehouses and retail stores. Spoiled produce is subsequently thrown out from grocery stores into landfills, where the waste anaerobically decomposes, thereby emitting harmful greenhouse gases such as Methane. Majority of this wastage in produce is primarily caused by Enzymatic Oxidation. The Polyphenol Oxidase Enzyme is responsible for causing this Enzymatic Oxidation by acting as a Biological Catalyst when exposed towards Oxygen. In this experiment, the NCBI Databank was used to identify the Polyphenol Oxidase Gene. I then edited the Polyphenol Oxidase Gene using CRISPR/Cas-9 Mediated Gene Editing in somatic embryo cultures of the species Vitis Vinifera. This disrupted the Polyphenol Oxidase Gene. Finally, to confirm the edit was successful, a Chemical Assay was performed that quantified the lowered concentration of PPO Enzymes. Thus, this experiment aims to decrease post-harvest wastage, creating more sustainable, eco-friendly farming.
Awards (2)
- Bronze Medal
- Selected for CWSF 2026
Competition history
- CWSF 2026
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