COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) – Scientists at Texas &M University have earned federal approval of a genetic process to unleash cottonseed as possibly one of the world’s leading sources of protein-rich food.
The San Antonio Express-News reports the patent-pending process is known as “TAM66274.” The process this month won nonregulation status from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.
Officials with Texas A&M AgriLife Research say cottonseed possibly could become a food source for the world’s growing population, such as grinding seed into flour.
Experts say it will take a couple of years before there’s enough seed for a commercial-scale run at a cottonseed oil mill. The Express-News reports an agreement will have to be reached with a seed company willing to market the trait for cotton farmers worldwide.
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Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com
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