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Lowe NM, Hall AG, Broadley MR, Foley J, Boy E, Bhutta ZA. Preventing and Controlling Zinc Deficiency Across the Life Course: A Call to Action. Adv Nutr 2024; 15:100181. [PMID: 38280724 PMCID: PMC10882121 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Through diverse roles, zinc determines a greater number of critical life functions than any other single micronutrient. Beyond the well-recognized importance of zinc for child growth and resistance to infections, zinc has numerous specific roles covering the regulation of glucose metabolism, and growing evidence links zinc deficiency with increased risk of diabetes and cardiometabolic disorders. Zinc nutriture is, thus, vitally important to health across the life course. Zinc deficiency is also one of the most common forms of micronutrient malnutrition globally. A clearer estimate of the burden of health disparity attributable to zinc deficiency in adulthood and later life emerges when accounting for its contribution to global elevated fasting blood glucose and related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Yet progress attenuating its prevalence has been limited due, in part, to the lack of sensitive and specific methods to assess human zinc status. This narrative review covers recent developments in our understanding of zinc's role in health, the impact of the changing climate and global context on zinc intake, novel functional biomarkers showing promise for monitoring population-level interventions, and solutions for improving population zinc intake. It aims to spur on implementation of evidence-based interventions for preventing and controlling zinc deficiency across the life course. Increasing zinc intake and combating global zinc deficiency requires context-specific strategies and a combination of complementary, evidence-based interventions, including supplementation, food fortification, and food and agricultural solutions such as biofortification, alongside efforts to improve zinc bioavailability. Enhancing dietary zinc content and bioavailability through zinc biofortification is an inclusive nutrition solution that can benefit the most vulnerable individuals and populations affected by inadequate diets to the greatest extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola M Lowe
- Center for Global Development, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew G Hall
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Martin R Broadley
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, United Kingdom; School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Foley
- HarvestPlus, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Erick Boy
- HarvestPlus, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Center for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Center of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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Manzeke-Kangara MG, Joy EJM, Lark RM, Redfern S, Eilander A, Broadley MR. Do agronomic approaches aligned to regenerative agriculture improve the micronutrient concentrations of edible portions of crops? A scoping review of evidence. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1078667. [PMID: 37502724 PMCID: PMC10371419 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1078667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is used to describe nature-based agronomic approaches that aim to build soil health and crop resilience, minimize negative environmental outcomes, and improve farmer livelihoods. A benefit that is increasingly attributed to crops grown under RA practices is improved nutritional content. However, we do not know the extent to which RA influences crop nutritional quality and under what management approaches and context, can such effects be realized. A scoping review of recent literature (Web of Science, 2000-2021) was carried out to assess the evidence that RA approaches improve crop micronutrient quality. Papers included combinations of agronomic approaches that could be defined as Regenerative: "Organic Inputs" including composts and manures, cover crops, crop rotations, crop residues and biochars; "Reduced Tillage", "Intercropping", "Biostimulants" e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; plant growth promoting bacteria, and "Irrigation", typically deficit-irrigation and alternate wetting and drying. The crop types reviewed were predetermined covering common sources of food and included: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Rice (Oryza sativa L.), Maize (Zea mays L.), Pulses (Fabaceae), Alliums (Allium spp.), and "other" crop types (30 types). This scoping review supports a potential role for RA approaches in increasing the concentrations of micronutrients in the edible portions of several crop types under specific practices, although this was context specific. For example, rice grown under increased organic inputs showed significant increases in grain zinc (Zn) concentration in 15 out of 16 studies. The vitamin C concentration of tomato fruit increased in ~50% of studies when plants were grown under increased organic inputs, and in 76% of studies when plants were grown under deficit irrigation. Overall, the magnitude and reproducibility of the effects of RA practices on most crop nutritional profiles were difficult to assess due to the diversity of RA approaches, geographical conditions, and the limited number of studies for most crops in each of these categories. Future research with appropriate designs, improved on-farm surveillance and nutritional diagnostics are needed for better understanding the potential role of RA in improving the quality of food, human nutrition, and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneta Grace Manzeke-Kangara
- Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
- Rothamsted Research, Department of Sustainable Soils and Crops, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Edward J. M. Joy
- Rothamsted Research, Department of Sustainable Soils and Crops, Harpenden, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - R. Murray Lark
- Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Redfern
- Unilever Research and Development, Colworth Science Park, Bedford, United Kingdom
| | - Ans Eilander
- Unilever Research and Development, Unilever Foods Innovation Centre, WH Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Martin R. Broadley
- Rothamsted Research, Department of Sustainable Soils and Crops, Harpenden, United Kingdom
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Botoman L, Chimungu JG, Bailey EH, Munthali MW, Ander EL, Mossa A, Young SD, Broadley MR, Lark RM, Nalivata PC. Agronomic biofortification increases grain zinc concentration of maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi. Plant Direct 2022; 6:e458. [PMID: 36348768 PMCID: PMC9631327 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) deficiency remains a public health problem in Malawi, especially among poor and marginalized rural populations, linked with low dietary intake of Zn due to consumption of staple foods that are low in Zn content. The concentration of Zn in staple cereal grain can be increased through application of Zn-enriched fertilizers, a process called agronomic biofortification or agro-fortification. Field experiments were conducted at three Agricultural Research Station sites to assess the potential of agronomic biofortification to improve Zn concentration in maize grain in Malawi as described in registered report published previously. The hypotheses of the study were (i) that application of Zn-enriched fertilizers would increase in the concentration of Zn in maize grain to benefit dietary requirements of Zn and (ii) that Zn concentration in maize grain and the effectiveness of agronomic biofortification would be different between soil types. At each site two different subsites were used, each corresponding to one of two agriculturally important soil types of Malawi, Lixisols and Vertisols. Within each subsite, three Zn fertilizer rates (1, 30, and 90 kg ha-1) were applied to experimental plots, using standard soil application methods, in a randomized complete block design. The experiment had 10 replicates at each of the three sites as informed by a power analysis from a pilot study, published in the registered report for this experiment, designed to detect a 10% increase in grain Zn concentration at 90 kg ha-1, relative to the concentration at 1 kg ha-1. At harvest, maize grain yield and Zn concentration in grain were measured, and Zn uptake by maize grain and Zn harvest index were calculated. At 30 kg ha-1, Zn fertilizer increased maize grain yields by 11% compared with nationally recommended application rate of 1 kg ha-1. Grain Zn concentration increased by 15% and uptake by 23% at the application rate of 30 kg ha-1 relative to the national recommendation rate. The effects of Zn fertilizer application rate on the response variables were not dependent on soil type. The current study demonstrates the importance of increasing the national recommendation rate of Zn fertilizer to improve maize yield and increase the Zn nutritional value of the staple crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lester Botoman
- Department of Crop and Soil SciencesLilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesLilongweMalawi
- Department of Agricultural Research ServicesChitedze Agricultural Research StationLilongweMalawi
| | - Joseph G. Chimungu
- Department of Crop and Soil SciencesLilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesLilongweMalawi
| | | | - Moses W. Munthali
- Department of Agricultural Research ServicesChitedze Agricultural Research StationLilongweMalawi
| | - E. Louise Ander
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental GeochemistryBritish Geological SurveyKeyworthUK
| | | | - Scott D. Young
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughUK
| | - Martin R. Broadley
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughUK
- Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
| | - R. Murray Lark
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughUK
| | - Patson C. Nalivata
- Department of Crop and Soil SciencesLilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesLilongweMalawi
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Kumssa DB, Mossa AW, Amede T, Ander EL, Bailey EH, Botoman L, Chagumaira C, Chimungu JG, Davis K, Gameda S, Haefele SM, Hailu K, Joy EJM, Lark RM, Ligowe IS, McGrath SP, Milne A, Muleya P, Munthali M, Towett E, Walsh MG, Wilson L, Young SD, Haji IR, Broadley MR, Gashu D, Nalivata PC. Cereal grain mineral micronutrient and soil chemistry data from GeoNutrition surveys in Ethiopia and Malawi. Sci Data 2022; 9:443. [PMID: 35879373 PMCID: PMC9314434 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dataset comprises primary data for the concentration of 29 mineral micronutrients in cereal grains and up to 84 soil chemistry properties from GeoNutrition project surveys in Ethiopia and Malawi. The work provided insights on geospatial variation in the micronutrient concentration in staple crops, and the potential influencing soil factors. In Ethiopia, sampling was conducted in Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions, during the late-2017 and late-2018 harvest seasons. In Malawi, national-scale sampling was conducted during the April–June 2018 harvest season. The concentrations of micronutrients in grain were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Soil chemistry properties reported include soil pH; total soil nitrogen; total soil carbon (C); soil organic C; effective cation exchange capacity and exchangeable cations; a three-step sequential extraction scheme for the fractionation of sulfur and selenium; available phosphate; diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable trace elements; extractable trace elements using 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 and 0.01 M CaCl2; and isotopically exchangeable Zn. These data are reported here according to FAIR data principles to enable users to further explore agriculture-nutrition linkages. Measurement(s) | Trace Element • soil chemical properties | Technology Type(s) | Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry | Factor Type(s) | Geography • Staple cereal crop | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Staple cereal food crops | Sample Characteristic - Environment | Smallholder farming | Sample Characteristic - Location | Ethiopia • Malawi |
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Affiliation(s)
- D B Kumssa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - A W Mossa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - T Amede
- International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), ILRI Sholla Campus, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E L Ander
- Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - E H Bailey
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - L Botoman
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - C Chagumaira
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.,Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK.,Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - J G Chimungu
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - K Davis
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - S Gameda
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), ILRI Sholla Campus, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - S M Haefele
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - K Hailu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E J M Joy
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - R M Lark
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.,Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - I S Ligowe
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - S P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - A Milne
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - P Muleya
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - M Munthali
- The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - E Towett
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - M G Walsh
- Africa Soil Information Service, Selian Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 2704, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - L Wilson
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - S D Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - I R Haji
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - M R Broadley
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK. .,Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK.
| | - D Gashu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - P C Nalivata
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
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