Breeding and adoption of biofortified crops and their nutritional impact on human health

'From metabolism to metabolism': holistic considerations on B-vitamin interactions, biofortification, and deficiencies

In the post-Green Revolution era, disparities in dietary access, rising obesity rates, demographic shifts, adoption of plant-based diets, and the impact of climate change collectively contribute to a progressive decline in dietary nutritional value, exacerbating B vitamin deficiencies across both low- and high-income countries. While the prevailing focus of biofortification has been on three micronutrients - provitamin A, iron, and zinc - utilizing conventional breeding, it is imperative to diversify biofortification strategies to combat micronutrient malnutrition. Metabolic engineering, facilitated by biotechnological tools, presents a promising avenue, contingent upon advances in fundamental knowledge, technological innovation, regulatory updates, and sustained public funding. Recognizing the intricate metabolic interplay of B vitamins in plants and humans, a comprehensive 'from metabolism to metabolism' approach is crucial for designing effective biofortification strategies that target multiple vitamins. This holistic perspective also extends beyond individual crops to encompass the entire food chain, a complex socioeconomic ecosystem that necessitates a paradigm shift, prioritizing quality over quantity.

The potential of biofortification technologies for wheat and rice to fill the nutritional Zn intake gap in China

BACKGROUND

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in humans is of worldwide concern. The objective of this study was to investigate the Zn intake gap in Chinese adults and identify the potential role of biofortification technologies for wheat and rice, including crop nutrient management and breeding, in filling the gap.

RESULTS

We use data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2011 to identify food consumption patterns and dietary Zn intake of 4512 adults to define and quantify the Zn intake gap in the population. The dietary Zn intake gap of surveyed adults ranged from -0.8 to 6.53 mg day-1 across nine provinces and differences were associated with differences in food consumption patterns. Both dietary Zn intake and Zn gap for males were higher than for females. The potential of changes in five management strategies (improved nitrogen fertilization, improved phosphorus fertilization, foliar Zn fertilization, improved water management and growing varieties reaching the grain Zn breeding target) was analyzed. Breeding and foliar Zn fertilization were shown to be the two most effective management strategies that could increase dietary intake by 1.29 to 5 mg Zn day-1 dependent on sex and province.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the Zn gap varied across regions in China, with some large enough to warrant interventions. Wheat and rice as two major Zn sources could be targeted without a direct need for dietary diversification. By promoting both biofortification breeding of wheat and rice and Zn fertilization, dietary Zn intake could be enhanced to contribute to human health improvement in China. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biofortification's contribution to mitigating micronutrient deficiencies

Biofortification was first proposed in the early 1990s as a low-cost, sustainable strategy to enhance the mineral and vitamin contents of staple food crops to address micronutrient malnutrition. Since then, the concept and remit of biofortification has burgeoned beyond staples and solutions for low- and middle-income economies. Here we discuss what biofortification has achieved in its original manifestation and the main factors limiting the ability of biofortified crops to improve micronutrient status. We highlight the case for biofortified crops with key micronutrients, such as provitamin D3/vitamin D3, vitamin B12 and iron, for recognition of new demographics of need. Finally, we examine where and how biofortification can be integrated into the global food system to help overcome hidden hunger, improve nutrition and achieve sustainable agriculture.

Historical shifting in grain mineral density of landmark rice and wheat cultivars released over the past 50 years in India

The 'Green Revolution (GR)' has been successful in meeting food sufficiency in India, but compromising its nutritional security. In a first, we report altered grain nutrients profile of modern-bred rice and wheat cultivars diminishing their mineral dietary significance to the Indian population. To substantiate, we evaluated grain nutrients profile of historical landmark high-yielding cultivars of rice and wheat released in succeeding decades since the GR and its impacts on mineral diet quality and human health, with a prediction for decades ahead. Analysis of grain nutrients profile shows a downward trend in concentrations of essential and beneficial elements, but an upward in toxic elements in past 50 y in both rice and wheat. For example, zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentration in grains of rice decreased by ~ 33.0 (P < 0.001) and 27.0% (P < 0.0001); while for wheat it decreased by ~ 30.0 (P < 0.0001) and 19.0% (P < 0.0001) in past more than 50 y, respectively. A proposed mineral-diet quality index (M-DQI) significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased ~ 57.0 and 36.0% in the reported time span (1960-2010) in rice and wheat, respectively. The impoverished M-DQI could impose hostile effects on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like iron-deficiency anemia, respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal among the Indian population by 2040. Our research calls for an urgency of grain nutrients profiling before releasing a cultivar of staples like rice and wheat in the future.