November 20, 2009
Sunrouge - A New Tea Species
Nippon Paper Group, Inc.
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Sunrouge - A New Tea Species
We develop a new species with high anthocyanin content
Quality seedlings produced using Nippon Paper Group's photoautotrophic culture technology
Nippon Paper Group, Inc.
Nippon Paper Group, Inc. (President: Yoshio Haga), in cooperation with the National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), has developed Sunrouge, a new species of tea with high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanin is a plant-derived functional ingredient with potential anti-fatigue properties.
As part of the "Innovation-Generating Fundamental Research Advancement Program (Applied)" (announced on January 19, 2009) driven by the NARO Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution, the development results from a project for cultivation of new tea species with high anthocyanin content and anti-fatigue properties, and for developing food uses.
Nippon Paper Group, Inc. will produce healthy seedlings of the new Sunrouge using its own photoautotrophic culture technology (Note 1) and use the species to generate new demand in the tea market.
Note 1: Photoautotrophic culture technology
Photoautotrophic culture technology is a 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 the Nippon Paper Group; including conservation of plants that are rare and indigenous to the Ogasawara Islands and are designated as endangered species, and conservation of precious cherry trees with historic value.