Biofortification Of Crops Research Articles

A review on Biofortification of Crops: A Nutritional Strategy for Combating Malnutrition

Biofortification is an innovative agricultural approach aimed at reducing global micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as "hidden hunger," by enhancing the nutritional quality of staple crops through breeding, genetic engineering, and agronomic practices. This strategy targets essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and provitamin A, particularly in regions where diets are predominantly based on nutrient-poor staple foods. Biofortified crops, such as vitamin A-enriched sweet potatoes and iron-rich beans, have demonstrated significant improvements in nutrient intake and health outcomes, including reduced anemia and enhanced child growth. Despite its promise, the adoption and widespread implementation of biofortified crops face multiple challenges, including technical constraints in breeding for nutrient stability and bioavailability, regulatory barriers for genetically modified varieties, and socio-cultural resistance due to consumer preferences and lack of awareness. Moreover, environmental factors, such as soil nutrient content and agro-ecosystem dynamics, can influence the success and sustainability of biofortification. Addressing these issues requires advancing research in nutrient bioavailability, developing more resilient crop varieties, and incorporating biofortification into broader food and nutrition policies. Scaling up biofortified crops will depend on effective community engagement, public-private partnerships, and integration into existing agricultural extension systems. Successful examples, such as the widespread adoption of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlight the potential of biofortification to improve nutritional security and livelihoods when supported by targeted advocacy and policy initiatives. Thus, while challenges persist, biofortification remains a valuable, cost-effective solution to addressing micronutrient malnutrition and improving global food security, especially when implemented in tandem with other nutrition and health interventions.

Unlocking Potential: The Role of Zinc Fortification Combating Hidden Hunger and Enhancing Nutritional Security

Micronutrient shortage is rapidly becoming apparent have drawn more attention in the cultivation of crops. The main causes of this deficit are the introduction of high-yielding varieties, an intensified cropping strategy, and advanced irrigation systems etc. A further aspect contributing to this issue is the increased use of high analysis chemical fertilizers instead of organic plant nutrition (composts, farmyard manure, etc.). Most countries have acute shortages of micronutrients due to the significant depletion of soil reserves caused by current agricultural production technologies. In order to increase both the quantity and quality of crops, micronutrients are crucial. Through the integration of agronomic, breeding and transgenic techniques, researchers seek to strengthen the zinc concentration in field crops, so improving their nutritional value and mitigating the risk of zinc deficiency in human diets. The availability and absorption of micronutrients in crops are improved by agronomic techniques such as foliar spraying, and soil fertilizer treatment including organic amendments. Meanwhile, biofortification of vegetable and fruit crops has also been achieved by transgenic and breeding strategies. In other hand, Rhizobacteria-based biofortification, Chelated Zn biofortification, nutri-priming are also important techniques in Zinc fortification programs to ensure food security and nutritional quality, bio-fortification of micronutrients in crops is vital. In addition, bio-fortification improved quality and crop output, reducing hidden hunger and demonstrating that it was a viable and economical approach. The present review addresses several aspects of zinc insufficiency in human populations, including public health and socioeconomic issues, bio-fortification and ferti-fortification studies, and future efforts to mitigate zinc deficiency in soil and the population at large.

Nanomaterial-Based Biofortification: Potential Benefits and Impacts of Crops.

Nanomaterials (NMs) have shown relevant impacts in crop protection, improvement of yields, and minimizing collateral side effects of fertilizer and pesticides in vegetable and fruit production. The application of NMs to improve biofortification has gained much attention in the last five years, offering a hopeful and optimistic outlook. Thus, we propose comprehensively revising the scientific literature about the use of NMs in the agronomic biofortification of crops and analyzing the beneficial impact of the use of NMs. The results indicated that different species of plants were biofortified with essential elements and macronutrients after the applications of Zn, Fe, Se, nanocomposites, and metalloid NPs. In addition, the physiological performances, antioxidant compounds, and yields were improved with NMs. Using nanofertilizers for the biofortification of crops can be considered a promising method to deliver micronutrients for plants with beneficial impacts on human health, the environment, and agriculture.

Crop Biofortification of Finger Millet Through Agronomic Approaches to Enhance Bioactive Compounds for Human Health and Nutrition

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is a gluten-free cereal crop widely grown in Africa and Asia, recognized for its rich bioactive compounds and health benefits. It contains high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins with potent antioxidant properties, which help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative damage. These compounds also have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, finger millet is a valuable source of essential minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium, crucial for bone health, cognitive function, and body immune. Its high dietary fiber content aids gastrointestinal health, regulates blood sugar and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Finger millet is particularly high in essential amino acids, making it an excellent protein choice for vegetarians. Agronomic biofortification, which involves adding zinc, calcium, and iron to the soil and leaves of plants can increase the mineral content of the grain. This review investigates different approaches of agronomic biofortification of finger millet and explore the health and nutritional benefits of bioactive components with a focus on their role as a functional diet in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.

Zinc determination in common beans by pXRF: An easy and versatile calibration strategy applied to biofortification studies

Zinc deficiency is observed in millions of individuals, especially in underdeveloped countries. Therefore, agronomical strategies have been implemented to mitigate this public health issue, mainly by the biofortification of staple food crops, e.g., common beans, one of the most consumed leguminous grains worldwide. Accurate Zn determination by an analytical method is one of the most relevant steps in these initiatives. This study evaluated three calibration methods for Zn determination by portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (pXRF) in pelletized common bean samples. A Ti/Al primary filter and a 10-second irradiation time were selected as optimized operating conditions. The sample with the highest Zn content was submitted to acid extraction with diluted HCl and HNO3 to obtain synthetic blanks. Increasing amounts of the original sample were mixed with the obtained blanks to prepare the calibration curves standards. An additional calibration model with plant-based CRMs was also evaluated. Zinc mass fractions calculated using the calibration model of HCl-extracted and mixed samples showed statistical agreement with the reference data as demonstrated by the Student t-test at a 95 % confidence level. The linear correlation factor (r) was greater than 0.99, with a detection limit as low as 2.23 mg kg−1. The obtained calibration model also exhibited high prediction capability, as revealed by the low RMSEP (Root Mean Square Error of Prediction), i.e., 2.16 mg kg−1. We concluded that pXRF is an attractive and cost-effective method for direct, quick, and environmentally friendly Zn determination in common beans.

Discovery of a conserved translationally repressive upstream open reading frame within the iron-deficiency response regulator IDEF2

BackgroundIron (Fe) deficiency affects 30–50% of the world’s population. Genetic biofortification of staple crops is a promising strategy for improving human nutrition, but the number of effective precision breeding targets for Fe biofortification is small. Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are cis-regulatory elements within the 5’ leader sequence (LS) of genes that generally repress translation of the main open reading frame (mORF).ResultsWe aligned publicly available rice (Oryza sativa L.) ribo-seq datasets and transcriptomes to identify putative uORFs within important Fe homeostasis genes. A dual luciferase assay (DLA) was used to determine whether these uORFs cause repression of mORF translation and pinpoint LS regions that can be mutated for mORF derepression. A translationally repressive uORF region was identified in two positive regulators of the Fe-deficiency response: IDEF1 and IDEF2. The IDEF2-uORF peptide was highly conserved among monocots and a mutation series in the 5’ LS of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) TaIDEF2-A1 gene demonstrated variable mORF derepression.ConclusionsTogether these results reveal a possible regulatory mechanism by which IDEF2 transcription factors modulate the Fe deficiency response in monocots, and highlight novel precision breeding targets to improve crop nutrition and abiotic stress tolerance.

Iron, Zinc and Total Phenolic Content in Cooked Biofortified NUA 45 and Gloria Sugar Beans: The Case of Zimbabwe

Biofortification involves breeding of staple crops that are micronutrient-dense and high yielding for example iron-biofortified beans. The biofortification of crops has been found to be cost effective and feasible to fight micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of the study was to determine the iron, zinc and total phenolic composition for the biofortified NUA 45 and Gloria sugar beans in raw as well as cooked samples with and without previous soaking. Determination of iron and zinc content in the raw, cooked bean grain samples with and without soaking was carried out by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Optical Emission Spectrometry whereas the determination of Total Phenolic Content was done using the Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method. The highest zinc concentration (0.295ppm) was found in raw Gloria sugar beans whilst the raw NUA 45 sugar beans had the highest iron content (0.755ppm) and total phenolic composition (352.8mg/100g). For the cooked bean samples Gloria sugar beans had the highest zinc concentration (0.247ppm) cooked after soaking. NUA 45 sugar beans had no significant difference on the zinc content after being cooked with and without soaking. Amongst the cooked samples the biofortified NUA 45 sugar beans cooked after soaking had the highest iron content (0.373ppm) as well as the highest total phenolic content in the beans cooked without soaking (200.5mg/100g). Biofortified NUA 45 and Gloria sugar beans proved to be good sources of iron, zinc and phenolic compounds. However, cooking with and without soaking diminished the iron, zinc and the total phenolic composition of the cooked NUA 45 and Gloria sugar beans.

Biofortification-enabled strategies to mitigate the challenges of malnutrition

Scientific and technological intervention have significantly contributed to global food security, especially due to the enabling technologies during the so-called Green-revolution era. However, ending all kinds of hunger poses a daunting challenge to fulfill the food and nutritional demands of the ever-growing human population. Hidden hunger also referred as malnutrition is very common problem in the developing countries in Sub-Sahara Africa and South Asia. Consistent with malnutrition, an associated challenge is to improve the health-benefits of food crops to overcome the problems of obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some types of cancer by developing functional foods. Biofortification of food crops, especially staple crops like rice, wheat and maize by using innovative genomics and breeding technologies should be given priority to overcome this formidable challenge.

Strategies and bibliometric analysis of legumes biofortification to address malnutrition.

Biofortification of legumes using diverse techniques such as plant breeding, agronomic practices, genetic modification, and nano-technological approaches presents a sustainable strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies of underprivileged populations. The widespread issue of chronic malnutrition, commonly referred to as "hidden hunger," arises from the consumption of poor-quality food, leading to various health and cognitive impairments. Biofortified food crops have been a sustainable solution to address micronutrient deficiencies. This review highlights multiple biofortification techniques, such as plant breeding, agronomic practices, genetic modification, and nano-technological approaches, aimed at enhancing the nutrient content of commonly consumed crops. Emphasizing the biofortification of legumes, this review employs bibliometric analysis to examine research trends from 2000 to 2023. It identifies key authors, influential journals, contributing countries, publication trends, and prevalent keywords in this field. The review highlights the progress in developing biofortified crops and their potential to improve global nutrition and help underprivileged populations.

High‐throughput phenotyping platforms for pulse crop biofortification

High‐throughput phenotyping platforms for pulse crop biofortification

Unravelling the bridge of polyphenol composition and mineralomics in Se biofortified edible Allium species

Selenium is an essential element for the well-being of humans and animals. Micronutrient deficiencies affect over half of the global population. Biofortification of crops with selenium represents an economically sustainable solution to combat this problem. In this study, seven Allium species underwent Se biofortification, via Se soil enrichment with selenate in pots, at three distinct concentration levels and were used to explore the relationship between Se plant internalization, polyphenol composition, and mineral content. Allium species were chosen because they are recognized as secondary accumulators of Se. Plant morphology, as well as the presence of fifteen phenolic acids and flavonoids, were analysed using a UHPLC-DAD system. Mineral content was determined using both ICP-OES and FAES. Se levels were quantified using a validated method based on HG-HR-CS-QT-AAS. Even at the lowest biofortification level, Allium species demonstrated potential as sources of dietary Se, offering viable alternatives to Se supplements, without negatively impacting the main mineral content. Higher biofortification levels led to reduced levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids, accompanied by potential decreases in biomass for certain species. The study highlighted how Se concentration affects key polyphenols like quercetin, gallic acid, and luteolin, although the response varied among species.

A Comprehensive Review on Biofortification in Vegetable Crops

A Comprehensive Review on Biofortification in Vegetable Crops

Assessing the effect of provitamin a on maize field resistance to aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination

Vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa is mainly being addressed through crop biofortification. Several high provitamin A (PVA) maize varieties have been released as part of these measures. However, these varieties are grown in areas where Aspergillus ear rot (AER) and Fusarium ear rot (FER) frequently occur, leading to contamination with mycotoxins, which in turn reduce the yield and grain quality. Chronic mycotoxin exposure leads to serious public health problems. Therefore, PVA maize varieties should be resistant to mycotoxin contamination. In a previous study, we generated 120 PVA hybrids by crossing 60 PVA inbreds and two testers with contrasting PVA content. Several inbreds resistant to aflatoxin were detected through laboratory-based kernel screening assays. In the current study, 21 PVA inbred lines with varying carotenoid content inoculated with toxigenic isolates of A. flavus and F. verticillioides were evaluated in field trials conducted at two locations in Nigeria for resistance to ear rots and mycotoxin production. Inbred lines resistant to AER, FER, aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination were identified. High PVA inbred lines were less susceptible to the ear rots, aflatoxin, and fumonisin than those with low PVA content. There were negative correlations between PVA content and each of AER (r = −0.28, P < 0.0001), FER (r = −0.37, P < 0.0001), aflatoxin (r = −0.15, P < 0.05), and fumonisin (r = −0.27, P < 0.0001). Three promising inbred lines were resistant to both aflatoxin and fumonisin. Moreover, the inbred TZI1715 combined resistance to AER, FER, aflatoxin, and fumonisin with desirable general combining ability for high β-carotene and total PVA content. These results suggest that the PVA biofortified maize developed to address vitamin A deficiency can also contribute to reduced exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin.

Effects of Selenate Application on Growth, Nutrient Bioaccumulation, and Bioactive Compounds in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.)

The biofortification of edible crops with selenium (Se) is a common and effective strategy to address inadequate Se intake, which is suffered by millions of people worldwide. However, there is little information regarding the effects of this practice on crops belonging to the important Brassica family. To evaluate the efficacy of foliar Se application on broccoli, four treatments with varying Se concentrations were tested: 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% (w/v), applied as sodium selenate during the early flowering stage. Although no overall effects on growth and biomass parameters were observed, the results indicate that the lowest Se dose (0.05-Se) was sufficient to notably increase Se concentration in the florets, even after boiling. Based on the increase to 14.2 mg Se kg−1 of dry matter in this broccoli fraction, it was estimated that consuming a 100-gram portion of boiled florets biofortified with 0.05% Se would provide approximately 140 µg of Se, which could be sufficient to potentially improve human selenium status, as previously documented. Moreover, the results obtained underscore how the application of this small dose was also adequate to reduce phytate concentration in the florets and to increase antioxidant and polyphenol concentrations, thereby improving the concentration and bioavailability of other essential nutrients, including Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn, along with improving its quality as an antioxidant food.

Effects and remediation of heavy metals contamination in soil and vegetables from different areas: A review

Heavy metals are non-biodegradable and thus persist in the environment, potentially infiltrating the food chain via crop plants and accumulating in the human body through biomagnification. Due to their toxic nature, heavy metal poisoning poses a severe threat to human health and the environment. Consuming vegetables contaminated with heavy metals can lead to increased accumulation of these metals in the human body. This review discusses the risks of heavy metal contamination in various areas, as reported in some research studies, and the implications for human health. Data obtained from several journals indicated that levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in vegetables were generally within permissible limits, though cadmium concentrations were found to be low in some studies. High concentrations of lead (Pb) can affect metabolic functions, growth, and photosynthetic activities. Cadmium (Cd) levels, which are lower than the permissible limit of 0.2 mg kg−1 set by WHO, can lead to chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in cells. Zinc (Zn) levels were within permissible limits except in lettuce and spinach in some findings. Low zinc content in vegetables impacts human health, plant health, and agricultural productivity. Addressing zinc deficiency requires integrated approaches such as soil management, crop biofortification, and dietary diversification. Ensuring adequate zinc levels is essential for improving public health and achieving sustainable agricultural practices. Addressing heavy metal contamination in vegetables requires a combination of remediation and preventive strategies. Implementing soil and water management practices can mitigate these risks and ensure the safe production of vegetables.

Social norms, nutrition messaging, and demand for biofortified staple crops: Evidence from a discrete choice experiment in Ethiopia

Social norms, nutrition messaging, and demand for biofortified staple crops: Evidence from a discrete choice experiment in Ethiopia

Iron biofortification in cereal crops: Recent progress and prospects

AbstractMicronutrient malnutrition is one of the major causes of human disorders in the developing world. Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient due to its use in human metabolism such as immune system and energy production. Estimates indicate that above 30% of the global population is at risk of Fe deficiency, posing a particular threat to infants and pregnant women. Plants have adapted various strategies for uptake, transport, accumulation, and storage of Fe in tissues and organs which later can be consumed by humans. Biofortification refers to increase in micronutrient concentration in edible parts of plants and understanding the pathways for Fe accumulation in plants. Conventional plant breeding, transgenics, agronomic interventions, and microbe‐mediated biofortification are all potential methods to address Fe deficiency. This review article critically evaluates key aspects pertaining to Fe biofortification in cereal crops. It encompasses an in‐depth analysis of the holistic presence of Fe, its significance in both human and plant contexts, and the diverse strategies employed in Fe uptake, transport, accumulation, and storage in plant parts destined for human consumption. Additionally, the article explores the bioavailability of Fe and investigates strategies for biofortification, with a specific emphasis on both traditional methods and recent breakthroughs aimed at enhancing the Fe content in food crops. Keeping in view the significance of Fe for human life, appropriate biofortification strategies may serve better to eliminate hidden hunger rather than its artificial supplementation.

Zinc and iron biofortification of crops grown in a vertical farm

With the growing global population and climate change, achieving food security is a pressing challenge(1). Vertical farming has the potential to support local food production and security. In the UK population females and younger adults appear to be particularly vulnerable to micronutrient shortfalls from food sources alone. Levels of micronutrient intakes including zinc and iron are below the recommended daily intake(2). As a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) system, vertical farming employs hydroponics using a nutrient solution which offers opportunities to modulate nutrient uptake, and thus influence plant mineral and vitamin composition(3).In this study we aimed to determine the suitability of different crop types for soilless agronomic biofortification with zinc and iron to achieve biofortified crops.In this study, we investigated the effect of the addition of 20ppm (+20 mg L−1) of zinc (ZnSO4) or iron (Fe-EDTA) to the nutrient solution on the growth and nutritional components in pea microgreens, kale microgreens and kale baby leaf plants. The growth conditions were kept identical throughout the treatments with photoperiod 18 h d-1, temperature 20-22°C and relative humidity at 70-80%. Plant growth, mineral composition, glucosinolate content and protein content were evaluated. Results were analysed using ANOVA (p&lt;0.05, Tukey’s test).It was determined that higher amounts of zinc in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of zinc in all three crops (p&lt;0.05), with increases of 205% in pea microgreens, 264% in babyleaf kale and 217% in kale microgreens compared to the control plants. Higher amounts of iron in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of iron only in pea microgreens, with an increase of 38% (p&lt;0.05). Neither dosing regimen negatively influenced the overall crop performance.These results suggest that the three different crops are suitable for soilless biofortification with zinc and iron, although pea microgreens were the only crop that had a significant increase in iron upon iron-dosing.

Controlled Environment Ecosystem: A Cutting-Edge Technology in Speed Breeding.

The controlled environment ecosystem is a meticulously designed plant growing chamber utilized for cultivating biofortified crops and microgreens, addressing hidden hunger and malnutrition prevalent in the growing population. The integration of speed breeding within such controlled environments effectively eradicates morphological disruptions encountered in traditional breeding methods such as inbreeding depression, male sterility, self-incompatibility, embryo abortion, and other unsuccessful attempts. In contrast to the unpredictable climate conditions that often prolong breeding cycles to 10-15 years in traditional breeding and 4-5 years in transgenic breeding within open ecosystems, speed breeding techniques expedite the achievement of breeding objectives and F1-F6 generations within 2-3 years under controlled growing conditions. In comparison, traditional breeding may take 5-10 years for plant population line creation, 3-5 years for field trials, and 1-2 years for variety release. The effectiveness of speed breeding in trait improvement and population line development varies across different crops, requiring approximately 4 generations in rice and groundnut, 5 generations in soybean, pea, and oat, 6 generations in sorghum, Amaranthus sp., and subterranean clover, 6-7 generations in bread wheat, durum wheat, and chickpea, 7 generations in broad bean, 8 generations in lentil, and 10 generations in Arabidopsis thaliana annually within controlled environment ecosystems. Artificial intelligence leverages neural networks and algorithm models to screen phenotypic traits and assess their role in diverse crop species. Moreover, in controlled environment systems, mechanistic models combined with machine learning effectively regulate stable nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, photosynthetic assimilation product, metabolic use efficiency, climatic factors, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and carbon footprints. However, any negligence, even minor, in maintaining optimal photoperiodism, temperature, humidity, and controlling pests or diseases can lead to the deterioration of crop trials and speed breeding techniques within the controlled environment system. Further comparative studies are imperative to comprehend and justify the efficacy of climate management techniques in controlled environment ecosystems compared to natural environments, with or without soil.

Constitutive expression of bZIP19 with the Zn sensor motif deleted in Arabidopsis leads to Zn-specific accumulation and no visible developmental penalty

Abstract Aims The transcription factors bZIP19 and bZIP23 function as central regulators of the Zn deficiency response, and also as sensors of intracellular Zn concentration through their protein Zn-Sensor Motif (ZSM). While under Zn deficiency the target genes of bZIP19/23 are transcriptionally activated, under Zn sufficiency the binding of Zn2+ ions to the ZSM halts gene expression. Mutations, including deletions, in the ZSM affect the activity of bZIP19/23 and leads to a Zn-insensitive and constitutive activation of target gene expression. Here we investigated the effects of such deregulation of the Zn deficiency response on plant growth and Zn accumulation, and evaluate whether this deregulation influences Cd accumulation. Methods We analysed Arabidopsis lines constitutively expressing bZIP19 with the ZSM deleted and measured developmental traits and ionomics in soil-grown plants, comparing control and Cd-spiked soils. Results Results indicated that deletion of the ZSM, and the consequent deregulation of the Zn deficiency response, does not cause visible penalties in plant growth, development or reproduction. Compared with the wild-type, bZIP19-ZSM deletion increased Zn accumulation in leaves and seeds, and such an increase was mostly limited to Zn. In seeds, the increased Zn content appears distributed evenly throughout the embryo. Exposure of bZIP19-ZSM deletion to a low-level Cd contamination did not cause enhanced Cd accumulation, which is important given that Cd uptake is a concern in crop Zn biofortification. Finally, we verified that the bZIP19-ZSM deletion represents a gain-of-function dominant mutation. Conclusion Together, results support that modulation of F-bZIP transcription factor’s activity may be a promising avenue for Zn biofortification in crops.