Low Phytate Research Articles

Development and characterization of lpa1 and lpa2-based low phytate double mutants in maize for enhancing the nutritional quality of food and feed

Phytic acid (PA), an anti-nutritional factor hampers the nutritional value of maize-based food by reducing the bioavailability of zinc and iron. Low phytate maize is key for addressing poor micronutrient bioavailability. Here, we developed low phytic acid double mutants (lpa1/lpa2) in maize by crossing lpa1 and lpa2-based near-isogenic lines (NILs) in seven genetic backgrounds. Genotypic selections for lpa1 and lpa2 genes in the F2 population revealed segregation ratios of 9:3:3:1 for double mutants and 3:1 for single mutants. Newly developed double mutants along with single mutants and wild types, were field-evaluated for two seasons. Wide genetic variation was observed for PA, inorganic phosphorus (Pi), grain yield, and agro-morphological traits, with negligible G×E interactions. PA concentration of lpa1/lpa2 (1.73 mg/g) was significantly (P <0.05) lower than wild types (2.92 mg/g), lpa1 (1.86 mg/g), and lpa2 (2.05 mg/g) lines. The double mutants revealed more prominent PA reduction (41 %) than single mutants, lpa1 (36 %) and lpa2 (30 %) compared to wild types. Additionally, the double mutants recorded comparable performance to wild types for grain yield and other agro-morphological traits. This study illustrated the potential of double mutants over lpa-based single mutants in lowering the anti-nutritional effects and enhancing the nutritional value of maize grains.

Kernel density as a population-screening tool for low phytic acid content in maize (Zea mays L.)

Aim: The present study was performed to find association of morphological traits with kernel phytic acid. Methodology: A set of 20 qualitative phenotypic observations were studied in 29 diverse germplasms and two F2 populations. Further correlated traits were quantitatively verified for their correlation and heritability. Results: Maize kernels characterized by low phytate content correlated with reduced seed density traits. Further insights from scanning electron microscopic studies revealed alterations in the distribution pattern of starch granules, among low and high phytate genotypes. Heritability studies indicated a strong heritable nature of the traits viz., kernel density, inorganic phosphorous and phytic acid, and were found to be inter correlated. Interpretation: Intercorrelation and heritable nature of the trait is viewed as a ‘risk index’ that directly influences the success of genetic selection for the phytic acid trait which is highly complex and involves more laboratory experimentation. The selected genotypes may be further screened using biochemical analysis for confirmation. Key words: Correlation, F2 population, Germplasm, Kernel density, Maize, Phytic acid

Improving the antinutritional profiles of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) moderately impacts carotenoid bioaccessibility but not mineral solubility

Common beans are a common staple food with valuable nutritional qualities, but their high contents in antinutritional factors (ANFs) can decrease the bioavailability of (i) fat-soluble micronutrients including carotenoids and (ii) minerals. Our objective was to select ANF-poor bean lines that would not interfere with carotenoid and mineral bioavailability. To achieve this objective, seeds of commercial and experimental Phaseolus vulgaris L. bean lines were produced for 2 years and the bean’s content in ANFs (saponins, phytates, tannins, total polyphenols) was assessed. We then measured carotenoid bioaccessibility and mineral solubility (i.e. the fraction of carotenoid and mineral that transfer into the aqueous phase of the digesta and is therefore absorbable) from prepared beans using in vitro digestion. All beans contained at least 200 mg/100 g of saponins and 2.44 mg/100 g tannins. The low phytic acid (lpa) lines, lpa1 and lpa12 exhibited lower phytate levels (≈ − 80%, p = 0.007 and p = 0.02) than their control BAT-93. However, this decrease had no significant impact on mineral solubility. HP5/1 (lpa + phaseolin and lectin PHA-E free) bean line, induced an improvement in carotenoid bioaccessibility (i.e., + 38%, p = 0.02, and + 32%, p = 0.005, for phytofluene bioaccessibility in 2021 and 2022, respectively). We conclude that decrease in the phytate bean content should thus likely be associated to decreases in other ANFs such as tannins or polyphenols to lead to significant improvement of micronutrient bioaccessibility.

Nutritional and Sensory Evaluation of Locally Produced Acha (Digitaria exilis) Flakes Fortified with Bambara Nut and Crayfish

Aim: To evaluate the nutritional, anti-nutritional and sensory characteristics of Acha flakes, fortified with Bambara nut and crayfish powder. Methodology: Moistened Acha grains were steamed, oven-dried, milled and sieved to obtain Pregelatinized Acha Flour (PAF). Bambara nut seeds were soaked, dehulled, washed, steamed, dried, milled and sieved as Steamed Bambara nut Flour (SBF). PAF, SBF and crayfish powder were mixed in the ratio of 70:20:10, 60:30:10 and 50:40:10 and baked on foil lined oven tray to produce Flakes A, B and C. Chemical (proximate, minerals, Vitamin A, phytate and tannin) and sensory analysis were undertaken using standard methods. ANOVA was used to detect significant differences. Results: Protein, ash and carbohydrate contents of products ranged from 16.68 – 17.98%, 2.96-3.12% and 63.89-64.16%, respectively. Flake C had the highest (p&lt;0.05) protein (17.98%) and fat (4.11%) contents while flake A had the lowest (16.68%, 3.75%) values. Calcium (141 mg/100 g) and iron (2.82 mg/100 g) contents were significantly highest in Flake B while Flake C had the highest Vitamin RE (269.86 μgRE) content. All products recorded low phytate (15.25-19.03 mg/100 g) and tannin (5.90-8.65 mg/100 g) values. Addition of Bambara nut (40%) and crayfish (10%) to 50% Acha flour increased the protein and Vitamin A contents by 8% and 10%, respectively. Flake C was rated highest in taste (8.04), flavour (7.80) and overall acceptability (8.40). Conclusion: Acha based flakes produced from 50% Acha flour fortified with 40% Bambara nut and 10% crayfish was the best in terms of nutritional and sensory attributes. This locally produced breakfast cereal when offered to children may contribute to reductions in child under-nutrition.

Grain quality traits within the wheat (Triticum spp.) genepool: prospects for improved nutrition through de novo domestication.

Wild relatives of wheat (Triticum spp.) harbor beneficial alleles for potential improvement and de novo domestication of selected genotypes with advantageous traits. We analyzed the nutrient composition in wild diploid and tetraploid wheats and their domesticated diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid relatives under field conditions in Germany and compared them with modern Triticum aestivum and Triticum durum cultivars. Grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations, phytate:mineral molar ratios, grain protein content (GPC) and antioxidant activity were analyzed across 125 genotypes. Grain Fe and Zn concentrations in wild wheats were 72 mg kg-1 and 59 mg kg-1, respectively, with improved bioavailability indicated by Phytate:Fe and Phytate:Zn molar ratios (11.7 and 16.9, respectively) and GPC (231 g kg-1). By comparison, grain Fe and Zn concentrations in landrace taxa were 54 mg kg-1 and 55 mg kg-1, respectively, with lower Phytate:Fe and Phytate:Zn molar ratios (15.1 and 17.5, respectively) and GPC (178 g kg-1). Average grain Fe accumulation in Triticum araraticum was 73 mg kg-1, reaching 116 mg kg-1, with high Fe bioavailability (Phyt:Fe: 11.7; minimum: 7.2). Wild wheats, landraces and modern cultivars showed no differences in antioxidant activity. Triticum zhukovskyi stood out with high grain micronutrient concentrations and favorable molar ratios. It was also the only taxon with elevated antioxidant activity. Our results indicate alteration of grain quality during domestication. T. araraticum has promising genotypes with advantageous grain quality characteristics that could be selected for de novo domestication. Favorable nutritional traits in the GGAA wheat lineage (T. araraticum and T. zhukovskyi) hold promise for improving grain quality traits. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Use of malted pulses to formulate gluten-free fresh-egg pasta

In spite of the fact that legumes are rich in proteins, dietary fibers, and micronutrients, their average per capita consumption is limited because of their lengthy cooking period, unpleasant flavor, low-digestible proteins, and gastrointestinal problems. This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the malting process of three typical pulse seeds of the Italian Latium region (i.e. Gradoli Purgatory beans [GPB]; Onano lentils [OL]; and Solco Dritto chickpeas [SDC]) to minimize their anti-nutrient content and test their use as ingredient in the preparation of gluten-free fresh egg pastas. All these fresh egg pastas were devoid of flatulence-inducing oligosaccharides with low phytate content (0.6–0.80 g/100 g of dry matter, dm), a crude protein content of around 20 g/100 g dm and in vitro glycemic index ranging from 28% to 38%. However, the only fresh egg pasta, including malted GPB flour, exhibited not only a significantly smaller glycemic index (28%±3%) but also a resistant starch–total starch ratio by far greater than the threshold value (14%) specified by the European Commission Regulation 432/2012 to label foods with the health claim indicating improvement in postprandial glucose metabolism.

Exploring the linkage between root system architecture and grain iron content in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Iron (Fe) is a vital element that is equally important for plants, animals, and humans. High Fe concentrations in wheat grains have reliance on plant roots, the hidden half of the plant with a role in nutrient mining. Enhanced grain Fe content of wheat can positively mitigate Fe malnutrition in poor populations. In the present study, 100 wheat varieties were studied to identify the root architectural characteristics in relation to grain Fe concentration. Germinated seeds were transplanted in a rhizobox kept in a standard nutrient solution and were harvested 12 days after transplanting. Roots were scanned and the images were processed using smart root software. A total of 12 wheat varieties, which had a vigorous and weak root system architecture (RSA), in combination with higher and lower Fe grain concentrations, were selected using principal component analysis. The uptake and translocation of Fe from root to shoot were determined through a pot experiment conducted for the above-mentioned 12 wheat varieties, with or without Fe fertilizer applied as FeSO4 to the soil. The data obtained from the pot experiment revealed that Dharabi-11 with vigorous RSA exhibited the highest grain Fe concentration (57.20 mg kg−1), low phytate concentration (6.50 mg kg−1), and maximum 1,000 grain weight, whereas Ujala-16 with weaker RSA had the lowest grain Fe concentration (13.33 mg kg−1), highest phytate concentration (9.07 mg kg−1), and lowest 1,000 grain weight. There were also varieties showing higher grain Fe concentrations with weaker RSA and vice versa. Although it is indicated that vigorous RSA leads to high grain Fe concentration, it is not the sole factor in high grain Fe concentration. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate that large genetic diversity is available among indigenous wheat germplasm in terms of grain Fe concentration and RSA. This information may be utilized in the development of new varieties through conventional and marker-assisted breeding programs using RSA traits for Fe biofortification in wheat, leading to the mitigation of Fe malnutrition.

Effect of feeding low phytate maize on performance, bone-breaking strength, and intestinal phosphorus transporters in slow-growing chickens during starter phase

Effect of feeding low phytate maize on performance, bone-breaking strength, and intestinal phosphorus transporters in slow-growing chickens during starter phase

Effects of low phytate soymilk intake on calcium, iron and zinc status in male Sprague-Dawley rats

To compare effects of low phytate soymilk and regular soymilk consumption on the long-term mineral status in the body via rodent models. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (CON), soymilk (SM) and low phytate soymilk group (LPSM), with 28 days’ intervention. Compared to CON, serum Ca, hemoglobin and transferrin, femur Zn level from both SM and LPSM group were elevated, while serum Fe, RDW and Zn from SM group were decreased. Serum and liver Zn level from LPSM group was significantly higher compared to SM group. In comparison with CON and SM, Ca level in the femur and liver, bone mineral density of cortical and trabecular bone from LPSM were increased. LPSM was capable of improving bone quality, maintaining circulating Fe and Zn levels, and liver Fe storage compared to SM group. Further studies on human subjects are required to explore low phytate soymilk consumption on Ca, Fe and Zn status.

Nutrient profiling of lablab bean (Lablab purpureus) from north-eastern India: A potential legume for plant-based meat alternatives

Because of their high protein content, legumes are becoming increasingly important as a base for many functional food products. However, the presence of nutrition inhibitors is the biggest barrier to using legumes. In the current study, eleven local accessions of Lablab purpureus (Linn.) Sweet collected from various locations in Arunachal Pradesh – a global biodiversity hotspot – were analysed for the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the pods. The analysis revealed considerable variation among the accessions in each characteristic. The length, width, and pod colour differed significantly. All accessions had a good nutritional composition and the levels of phytic acid – a major nutrient inhibitor – were extremely low (1.8–2.4 mg for every100g of tender pods), compared to its levels in accessions from other parts of India and in many other common leguminous vegetables. The low phytate content translates to enhanced bioavailability of minerals, making the immature pods a potential functional food and a valuable asset in overcoming malnutrition, especially in the developing countries. Besides, these local accessions can also make a valuable contribution in breeding superior cultivars of L. purpureus.

Screening of Eight Biofortified Rice Varieties Based on Total Content of Zinc and Iron as Well as Its Uptake by Caco-2 Cells: An In Vitro Cellular Model

Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) are two essential micronutrients that help the body to maintain its normal physiology and metabolism. Rice is the most important staple crop because it nourishes approximately half of the world’s population. The present study was intended to screen a set of eight rice varieties for total grain Zn and Fe content along with their uptake in differentiated Caco-2 cells. The total grain Zn and Fe content, as well as their bioaccessibility, was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. The Caco-2 cell-based fluorescence assays and ferritin synthesis assays were used to determine Zn and Fe uptake, respectively. The transcriptional expression of micronutrient transporters has been analyzed in Caco-2 cells in response to the uptake of Zn and Fe from in vitro digested rice samples. The findings of this study revealed a comparative analysis of two prominent micronutrient contents in eight different varieties of polished rice. DRRDhan 48 (4.93 ± 0.10 mg/kg), Zinco Rice (4.65 ± 0.01 mg/kg), and Protozin (4.43 ± 0.03 mg/kg) were shown to have low phytate content, and high grain Zn content (32.49 ± 2.8, 27.9 ± 1.8, 26.7 ± 1.2 mg/kg, respectively), as well as significantly greater Zn uptake in differentiated Caco-2 cells. The outcome of this study provides an easy and convenient approach for the screening of food items or cereals based on micronutrient uptake.

Evaluation of Extractive Values, Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Constituents of Red Soko (Celosia Trigyna) and Green Soko (Celosia argentea)

Medicinal plants are indispensable sources of bioactive compounds and have proved to be stalwart ingredients for a wide range of applications. The potency of five different solvents in extracting bioactive constituents; qualitative and quantitative determination of phytochemicals of red soko and green soko were studied. The plant were cut into smaller pieces, air-dried, ground into powdery sample, sieved with 40 mm mesh size and properly labelled. Each sample was extracted using five different solvents (acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) at ratio 1: 10 for 72 h. Each solvent extract was screened for nine phytochemicals (flavonoid, carotenoid, phenol, oxalate, tannin, saponin, alkaloid, phytate and ascorbic acid). It was observed that the plant extract contained seven phytochemicals in both red and green soko. The highest extractive values and qualitative screening of phytochemicals in red soko and green soko were obtained in water and methanol extracts. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that there was higher content of saponin, phytate and ascorbic acid in the two vegetables. Red soko contained lower ascorbic acid, saponin, total phenol, total carotenoid, alkaloid and flavonoid than green soko while green soko had lower phytate and tannin than red soko. There was no significant difference (P˂0.05) in flavonoids, total carotenoid and alkaloid contents in red soko and in green soko there was no significant difference (P˂0.05) in total carotenoid and alkaloid contents.

Insights into the recent approaches for rice (Oryza sativa L.) biofortification

Rice is the most essential source of calories for humans among the cereals and over half of the world's population is fed on rice. As part of a complete food systems approach, biofortification is an effective technique for nutrition enrichment which refers to the development of micronutrient-rich diet by utilising traditional breeding practises and sophisticated biotechnological tools. To enhance the profile of rice grain for biofortification-related properties, researchers must first understand the genetics of critical biofortification characteristics. Significant increases in micronutrients like iron and zinc, as well as many other important minerals and provitamins are acquired in rice grain using the biofortification strategies. Most indica and japonica rice types have been biofortified over the world, giving them the titles of high iron rice, low phytate rice, high zinc rice, and high carotenoid rice or golden rice. Some of the recent approaches towards rice biofortification, as well as their effects, have been explored in this article.

Development of low-phytate maize inbred lines through marker-assisted introgression of lpa1

Context Phytic acid is the major storage form of phosphorus in cereals and is considered an anti-nutritional factor because it chelates major mineral micronutrient cations, resulting in micronutrient malnutrition in humans. For monogastric animals fed maize (Zea mays L.) grains, the stored phosphorus does not release into the digestive tract, leading to phosphorus deficiency and environmental pollution. Aims The aim of the study was to develop maize lines with a lower level of phytic acid that might substantially enhance the nutritional value of maize. Methods The lpa1 mutant allele conferring low phytic acid was transferred into the parental lines of popular maize hybrid DMH 121 (i.e. BML 6 and BML 45) through marker-assisted backcross breeding. Foreground selection was performed using a co-dominant single nucleotide polymorphism marker through a high-resolution melting approach, and background selection was undertaken using 50–55 polymorphic sequence-tagged microsatellite site markers. Key results Near-isogeneic lines were produced with &gt;90% recurrent parental genome and reduction of phytic acid content by up to 44–56% compared with the original lines. Conclusions The near-isogeneic lines carrying lpa1 can be used to reconstitute DHM 121 with low phytate content. Implications The low-phytate maize hybrids produced can be useful in reducing micronutrient malnutrition in humans, as well as environmental pollution.

Studies on Nutritional Profile and Mineral Bioavailability of some Solanum Species Consumed as Fruits in Ekiti State, Nigeria

African eggplants are highly valued constituents of the Nigerian food. However, their nutritional potentials have not been fully tapped due to inadequate information on their nutritional and anti-nutritional qualities. This present study investigated the proximate, minerals, anti-nutrient contents as well as the estimation of mineral ratios and Mineral Safety Index of four selected edible solanum species namely, Solanum anguivi, S. gilo, S. menalogena and S. aethiopicum. The proximate contents (%) ranged from 4.19-5.46 (moisture content), 1.71-2.49 (crude fat), 4.57-5.45 (crude ash), 3.76-4.93 (crude protein), 5.20-6.30 (crude fiber) and 77.14-78.58 (carbohydrate). The solanum species were good sources of energy with total metabolizable energy of 1.458MJ-1.484MJ. The four solanum species contained high K, Ca, Mg, low Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, while amount of Cd, Ni and Pb were very low. The mineral ratios of K/Na, Ca/Mg, Ca/K, Zn/Cu and [K/(Ca+Mg)] were below the minimum good ratios levels of 1.0, 4.17, 4.0, 8.0 and 2.2 respectively which are good for man. The anti-nutrient contents revealed low phytate, oxalate and cyanide levels. The calculated Phytate/Zn, Phytate/Ca and Oxalate/Ca were lower than the threshold levels and would support absorption and bioavailability of Zn and Ca in the samples while that of Phytate/Fe was above the critical value and this indicates unavailability of iron in these eggplant fruits. The mineral differences observed showed that S. menalogena and S. aethiopicum had greater minerals while the Mineral Safety Index results revealed that the body could not be overloaded with any of the minerals investigated. The eggplants are rich in fiber, ash, carbohydrate and minerals with moderate protein. The low level of the anti-nutrient is good and poses no deleterious effect when consumed. The eggplants have nutritional health benefits; hence, their consumption should be encouraged to address food insecurity in Nigeria

Nutritional Composition and Estimated Iron and Zinc Bioavailability of Meat Substitutes Available on the Swedish Market.

Transition towards plant-based diets is advocated to reduce the climate footprint. Health implications of a diet composed of meat substitutes are currently unknown, and there are knowledge gaps in their nutritional composition and quality. Samples of available meat substitutes were bought in two convenience stores in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, and were included in the study. Meat substitutes (n = 44) were analyzed for their contents of dietary fiber, fat, iron, zinc, phytate, salt, total phenolics and protein, as well as for their amino acid and fatty acid composition. Bioavailability of iron and zinc was estimated based on the phytate:mineral molar ratio. We found large variations in the nutritional composition of the analyzed meat substitutes. Amino acid profiles seemed to be affected by processing methods. Mycoprotein products were rich in zinc, with a median content of 6.7 mg/100 g, and had very low content of phytate, which suggests mycoprotein as a good source of zinc. Degradability of fungal cell walls might, however, pose as a potential aggravating factor. None of the products could be regarded as a good source of iron due to very high content of phytate (9 to 1151 mg/100 g) and/or low content of iron (0.4 to 4.7 mg/100 g). Phytate:iron molar ratios in products with iron contents >2.1 mg/100 g ranged from 2.5 to 45. Tempeh stood out as a protein source with large potential due to low phytate content (24 mg/100 g) and an iron content (2 mg/100 g) close to the level of a nutrition claim. Producers of the products analyzed in this study appear to use nutritional claims regarding iron that appear not in line with European regulations, since the iron is in a form not available by the body. Meat substitutes analyzed in this study do not contribute to absorbed iron in a relevant manner. Individuals following mainly plant-based diets have to meet their iron needs through other sources. Salt and saturated fat were high in certain products, while other products were more in line with nutritional recommendations. Further investigation of the nutritional and health effects of protein extraction and extrusion is needed. We conclude that nutritional knowledge needs to be implemented in product development of meat substitutes.

Nutrient variability and food potential of indigenous rice landraces (Oryza sativa L.) from Northeast India

Rice is major staple food of Nagaland, northeast India. A comprehensive nutrient assessment of 23 rice landraces from Nagaland (brown, ~5 % and ~10 % polished) was carried out. The mean nutrient content of brown rice was: protein 7.6 ± 0.5 %, fat 2.65 ± 0.39 %, total dietary fibre 5.24 ± 0.52 %, ash 1.28 ± 0.11 % and carbohydrate 69.84 ± 1.28 %. The range of water soluble-vitamin was thiamine 0.19–0.35, riboflavin 0.04–0.07, niacin 2.48–3.77, pyridoxine 0.43–2.39, and pantothenic acid 0.03–0.11 mg/100 g. A relatively large coefficient of variation was observed for iron (25 %), manganese (28 %), copper (32 %), calcium (13 %), and phosphorus (11 %) among 23 varieties of brown rice. Nutrient density score (NDS) was 16, 11, and 8 for brown rice, ~5 % and ~10 % milled rice, respectively. The NDS score identified eight rice landraces as superior. Nutrient losses due to milling ranged from 14 % to 69 %. By far, brown rice has the best potential for nutrient supply, but limiting milling to ~5 % can substantially improve rice grains' nutrient content. Rice exhibited the most crucial nutrient contributor to the RDA. Significantly higher TDF and lower phytate contents found in these rice landraces. The study highlights the importance of rice landraces to help select important traits and breed superior germplasm to improve rice grain nutrient considerably especially in the face of climate change.

Introgression of the low phytic acid locus (lpa2) into elite maize (Zea mays L.) inbreds through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB)

Phytic acid (PA) is an important antinutritional component in maize that affects the availability of major micro-nutrients like di- and multi-valent mineral cations like iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). The long-term consumption of maize as a staple food crop leads to micronutrient malnutrition especially iron and zinc deficiency in the human population. In addition, it also acts as a storehouse of a major part of mineral phosphorous (P), approximately 80% of the total P stored as phytate P is not available to mono-gastric animals like humans and poultry birds, and it gets excreted as such, leading to one of the major environmental pollution called eutrophication. Of the various low phytic acid (lpa) mutants, lpa2-2 generated through mutagenesis reduces PA by 30%. BML 6 and BML 45, the parents of the popular maize hybrid DHM 121 with high PA were selected to introgress lpa2-2 through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB). The percent recurrent parental genome (RPG) in the selected BC2F2 plants ranged from 88.68 to 91.04% and 90.09–91.51% in the genetic background of BML 6 and BML 45, respectively. Based on the highest percentage of RPG, best five BC2F2 plants, viz., #3190, #3283, #3230, #3263 and #3292 with RPG 88.68–91.04% in the genetic background of BML 6 and #3720, #3776, #3717, #3828 and #3832 with RPG 90.09–91.51% in the genetic background of BML 45 were advanced to BC2F3. The newly developed near-isogenic lines (NILs) possessed low phytate content (2.37 mg/g in BML 6 and 2.40 mg/g in BML 45) compared to 3.59 mg/g and 3.16 mg/g in recurrent parents BML 6 and BML 45, respectively thereby reducing the phytate by an average of 34 and 24 per cent, respectively. These newly developed progenies were similar to their recurrent parents for various morphological traits. These inbreds assume great significance in alleviating Fe and Zn deficiencies in worldwide.

Nutritional profiling and GIS-based grid mapping of Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) germplasm

Thirty-two accessions of Coix lacryma-jobi belonging to different parts of North-Eastern India were taken from National Gene Bank at ICAR-NBPGR. Accessions were evaluated for nutritional traits and grid mapped to identify trait-specific germplasm and their geographic relationship. Proximate composition, total soluble sugars, total starch, total phytate in g/100 g, total phenol and antioxidant activity in % GAE, and minerals viz. iron, copper, zinc, and calcium in mg/100 g were estimated. Biochemical parameters like protein (15.9%), crude fat (4.66%), iron (13.6 mg/100 g), zinc (3.61 mg/100 g), and calcium (146 mg/100 g) have been recorded, which was higher than some members of its crop group. Principal component analysis revealed that the biochemical parameters such as starch, phenol, sugar, moisture, and antioxidants contributed significantly to generating diversity. Grid mapping for trait-specific germplasm revealed that high protein accessions could be collected from Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills and Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang valley; high iron and zinc content accessions from Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills; and low phytate content accessions from Nagaland-Manipur and Manipur-Myanmar border areas. IC0089381 and IC0416884 were identified as nutritionally superior accessions that can be used in breeding programs.

Genetic variation for grain phytate and molecular characterization of low phytic acid‐2 (lpa2) gene‐based maize (Zea mays) inbreds

AbstractMaize possesses higher concentration of phytic acid (PA) compared with other cereals, reducing bioavailability of iron and zinc. Reduction of PA in maize grains thus assumes significance to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. Here, a set of 24 inbreds possessing mutant lpa2‐1 gene and seven inbreds with wild‐type LPA2 gene was field evaluated at Delhi and Hyderabad. The performance of lpa2‐1‐based inbreds was at par with wild‐type inbreds for grain yield (P = .09645) and key agronomic traits (P &gt; .54100). Mutant inbreds possessed significantly low mean PA (1.90 mg/g) over wild‐type inbreds (2.56 mg/g) (P &lt; .00001), with average reduction of 26% PA among lpa2‐1 mutants. Mean inorganic phosphorous (iP) was 0.81 mg/g in lpa2‐1 mutants and 0.27 mg/g in wild types, revealing significantly (P &lt; .00001) higher increment (three‐fold) of iP in mutants compared with wild‐type inbreds. Characterization using 61 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) generated 181 alleles with mean polymorphism information content of 0.40 and mean gene diversity of 0.46. Cluster analyses grouped lpa2‐1 inbreds into three‐major clusters. The study identified potential cross combinations for development of low phytate maize with higher bioavailability of iron and zinc.