Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Animals, Agriculture & Food
Animals Agriculture Food
High Pigment Golden Beets
WARF: P05099US

Inventors: Irwin Goldman, Dwight "Nick" Breitbach

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a superior gold beet variety with high levels of betaxanthins.
Overview
Beets are generally available in two colors: red and golden. Beet color is determined by a class of antioxidant pigments known as betalains, which consists of red-violet betacyanins and yellow betaxanthins. While beets with elevated levels of betacyanins have been produced, no commercially available varieties are high in betaxanthins without also having a high concentration of betacyanins. The only gold-colored beet variety currently available in the U.S. lacks high levels of betaxanthins, has poor seed quality and is not very productive.
The Invention
UW-Madison researchers have developed a superior gold beet variety with high levels of betaxanthins. It can be used as a nutritious food as well as a source of betaxanthin pigment.
Applications
  • A table food with enhanced nutritional value
  • A source of yellow pigment
Key Benefits
  • Over 100mg betaxanthin pigment per 100 gm fresh weight of root
  • Similar maturation times to current commercial beet varieties
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
For current licensing status, please contact Emily Bauer at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9842

WARF