Australian and New Zealand scientists have been working together to develop Booster Broccoli, which has gone into supermarkets in both countries this week.
The brassica is one in a range of enhanced vegetables with extra antioxidants.
Joe Helper, agriculture minister at the Victoria department of agriculture in Australia, said: “The vegetables, branded as Vital Vegetables, have enhanced anti-oxidant composition, which means the nutrients are more easily absorbed.”
The project has been carried out over the past six years with Plant & Food Research New Zealand, with investment from both countries.
Dr Rod Jones of the Victoria department of primary industries said: “We explored the vast array of genetic diversity to discover vegetables that contain the highest concentration of beneficial nutrients for humans.
“Using natural breeding techniques, we developed a variety that contained the optimum nutrient levels. What sets Booster Broccoli apart from other varieties of broccoli is that it has been naturally bred to focus on maximising the health attributes of the vegetable.”
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