DNA test of the new US fragrant rice strain known as Jazzmen shows it is developed from a Chinese strain and is inferior to Thai Hom Mali fragrant rice when cooked, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut says.
Mr Theera, who revealed the findings yesterday, said two separate tests had been carried out to investigate whether the developers of Jazzmen rice at Louisinana State University had violated a patent for Hom Mali and to compare the qualities of the two.
The DNA test, conducted at a laboratory of the state rice research centre in Ubon Ratchathani, found Jazzmen was a product of the genetic engineering of a Chinese strain.
When Jazzmen rice was cooked, Mr Theera said, it was less fragrant than Hom Mali.
"I believe customers who eat Thai rice still love the taste of Hom Mali," the minister said.
The unique aroma of Hom Mali comes from its sweet smell similar to that of the pandanus leaf, locally called bai toey, which is a quality hard to imitate, Rice Department chief Prasert Kosanwit said.
Authorities are afraid the new US high-yield strain, expected to hit the market next year, will affect exports of Hom Mali rice while scientists are especially concerned about possible violation of patented Hom Mali, whose genes that cause its aroma have been already identified by the National Science and Technology Development Agency.
Mr Prasert said rice exporters should ensure their Hom Mali rice met acceptable standards. They should not mix it with low quality rice to increase their profits as many countries are developing rice strains to compete with Thailand.
The brand Thai Hom Mali has been recently patented to avoid consumer confusion between Jazzmen and "Jasmine Rice", the English name of the Thai variety, Mr Prasert said.
Source: Bangkok Post
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