UK-based plant biotechnology company Tropic is set to revolutionise the banana industry with the launch of its non-browning bananas in March, followed by extended shelf-life bananas by year-end.
These innovations aim to expand the cut-fruit market, combat food waste, unlock new export opportunities, and slash shipping costs.
But that’s not all—Tropic is also accelerating field trials for its Cavendish bananas resistant to fusarium wilt (TR4), a devastating fungal disease threatening banana crops worldwide.
Leading the Charge in Genetic Innovation
Founded in 2016 by Gilad Gershon and Eyal Maori, Tropic has gained global recognition for its Gene Editing Induced Gene Silencing (GEiGS) technology. This cutting-edge approach uses RNA interference (RNAi) to help plants fend off fungal and viral threats. However, the company’s latest non-browning and extended shelf-life bananas are the result of CRISPR gene-editing techniques.
Cavendish bananas, the dominant variety in global markets, are sterile and seedless, making them difficult to breed using traditional methods. Scientists have had to engineer genetic variation through techniques like mutagenesis, genetic modification, somaclonal variation, or gene editing.
A Game-Changer for the Cut-Fruit Market
According to Gilad Gershon, the non-browning bananas maintain the same taste and sweetness but are far more resistant to browning, making them ideal for fruit salads and pre-cut fruit products. “Browning is driven by polyphenol oxidase, an enzyme that oxidises phenolic compounds—just like in apples and potatoes,” Gershon explained.
Tropic’s bananas have already secured regulatory approvals in the Philippines, Colombia, Honduras, the USA, and Canada, with more approvals on the horizon.
Redefining Banana Shelf-Life & Shipping Efficiency
Set to debut later this year, Tropic’s extended shelf-life bananas could transform global banana logistics. Gershon noted that bananas are traditionally harvested green to delay ripening during transport. By knocking out genes responsible for ethylene production, the fruit stays greener for longer, allowing for later harvests, extended shipping durations, and significant cost reductions in packaging and transportation.
Tackling the Global TR4 Crisis
In addition to its consumer-focused innovations, Tropic is making major strides in disease resistance. Its GEiGS-powered TR4-resistant bananas use the plant’s natural RNAi mechanisms to silence key fungal genes, offering a non-GMO solution to one of the banana industry’s most pressing threats. Field trials have already shown strong resistance, with more trials planned across multiple locations.
Tropic is collaborating with leading banana companies to bring its TR4-resistant bananas to market.
Expanding Influence Beyond Bananas
Beyond bananas, Tropic has licensed its GEiGS technology to major agricultural players like Corteva, British Sugar, and Genus, enabling applications in both crops and livestock. With approximately $80 million raised and continued revenue through strategic partnerships, Tropic is cementing its position as a leader in plant biotechnology.
With its upcoming product launches and disease-resistant breakthroughs, Tropic is not just reshaping bananas—it’s redefining the future of fruit innovation.
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