Nippon Paper Group, Inc. (President Yoshio Haga) will participate in the "Cultivar Improvement and Extract Product Development of New Anthocyanin-Rich Tea with Anti-Fatigue Properties" Project, which is positioned as an "Innovation-Generating Fundamental Research Advancement Program (Applied)" driven by the Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, as outlined in the Exhibit.

 

The project will use our own photoautotrophic culture technology to develop short-run high-yielding propagation technologies for a new anthocyanin-rich tea cultivar, whose seedling is difficult to propagate.

 

Note 1: Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are purple pigments occurring in plants. They are a type of polyphenol and are largely found in grapes and blueberries.

They are said to have powerful functions for maintaining eye health, such as healing eyestrain.

They are also said to have anti-aging effects because of their strong antioxidant properties.

 

Note 2: Photoautotrophic culture technology

Photoautotrophic culture technology is the method of inducing the natural photosynthetic ability of the plants by applying high levels of CO2, water and light, rather than sugar acting as energy in the culture medium. The system is utilized in the biodiversity conservation activities undertaken by Nippon Paper Group, including the conservation of plants that are rare and indigenous to the Ogasawara Islands and are designated as endangered species, and also the conservation of precious cherry trees with historic value.

 

For more information, please contact the National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization.