Thai Rice

Scientist at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and Kasetsart University announced recently that they have successfully isolated and patented a group of genes found in rice that are responsible for producing aromatic rice. The discovery was made last year and the patent registered earlier this year.

Patent registration was secured first with the US Patent and Trademark Office. This is being followed by patent applications in another seven countries – specifically Australia, France, China, Vietnam, Japan, India and the Philippines. The leader of the Thailand Rice Genome Project, Dr. Apichart Wannavijitr, said yesterday that registration marked the first time Thai researchers had received patent protection for genetic material and showed that Thailand’s capacity in biotechnology was now world class.

Dr. Morakot Tanticharoen

BIOTEC’s director, Dr. Morakot Tanticharoen, said the team had spent several years studying the rice genome to isolate the genes in Thai jasmine rice that gave it its unique fragrance. The sequence of genes giving a rice plant a fragrant aroma is now not only known but can also be used to create aromatic qualities in ordinary, non-aromatic rice varieties, she said.

The researchers found that fragrant rice was the result of a genetic mutation in that the plant actually was the result of abnormal genes. In the case of Thai jasmine rice, eight genetic “characters” are not working.

The rice genome has about 50,000 genes. This discovery led researchers to conclude that if the same eight characters were stopped in other rice varieties, they would develop aromatic qualities, she said.

To prove their theory, laboratory tests were carried out on non-fragrant Japanese rice to successfully change it into fragrant rice.

With this technique, researchers can improve other rice breeds to produce a better fragrance. Dr. Morakot said, the technique could also be used to improve other crops, including wheat, corn, soybeans and coconuts,

Apichart said it was important for Thailand to register the patent so as to protect Thailand’s unique natural heritage in producing Thai aromatic rice, which is world renown for its scent and flavor.

Dr. Morakot further noted that the patent registration was aimed at protecting Thailand’s intellectual property in having found the gene responsible for aroma and also its use to boost local rice-breeding efforts. Rice breeding is currently a subject of considerable research in India, China and elsewhere in several Asian countries. Morakot said the improvement of aromatic rice would not only help farmers produce better-quality grain but would also generate more export income. She also said the improvement of aromatic rice would not only help farmers produce better-quality grain but would also generate more export income.

According to Thai government sources, Thailand’s total rice exports in 2004 were worth Bt108 billion. Of this, aromatic rice exports were valued at Bt35 billion.

The new discoveries of the Thailand Rice Genome Project will be showcased at Bio Thailand 2005, the country’s largest biotechnology exhibition, opening on Wednesday at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.