Belgian scientists use HIV drug to treat bananas
Belgian scientists have discovered that human retrovirus drugs, normally used to fight HIV, can eradicate viral diseases in bananas. With the support of the Belgian government, agricultural researchers from the plant pathology unit of Gembloux University and the laboratory of tropical crop improvement of the Catholic University of Leuven developed a number of effective therapeutic techniques to eliminate viral diseases from bananas. However, one widespread disease agent, banana streak virus, was, until recently, proving impossible to eliminate. The key to tackling the virus came from medical researchers from Leuven University's Rega institute - known worldwide for its development of antivirals for hepatitis B and HIV. Bearing in mind that the banana streak virus uses the same types of enzymes as human viruses to replicate itself, researchers at the institute tested the effect of selected drugs that inhibit hepatitis B and HIV. Two particular compounds, adefovir and tenofovir, were shown to be highly effective in eradicating the virus from the banana. These drugs will now be used to systematically eliminate the persistent banana streak virus from bananas and plantains. The new treatment is expected to benefit some 400 million people around the world who depend on the fruit for their staple diet. Experts believe that the treatment will also have a positive impact on the environment since the use of pesticides in bananas farming will be considerably reduced as a result of a more disease-resistant variety of fruit.
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Belgium