A path toward concurrent biofortification and cadmium mitigation in plant‐based foods

Abstract

Millions of people are anemic due to inadequate consumption of foods rich in iron and zinc. Plantbased foods provide most of our dietary nutrients but may also contain the toxic heavy metal cadmium (Cd). A low level of Cd silently enters the body through the diet. Once ingested, Cd may remain for decades. Hence, prolonged intake of Cd-containing foods endangers human health.Research that leads towards micronutrient enrichment and mitigation of Cd in foods has therefore dual significance for human health. The breeding of Cd-tolerant cultivars may enable them to grow on Cd-polluted soils; however, they may not yield Cd-free foods. Conversely, sequestration of Cd in roots can prevent its accumulation in grains, but this mechanism also retains nutrients, hence counteracting biofortification efforts. A specific restriction of the Cd absorption capacity of crops would prevent Cd entry into the plant system while maintaining micronutrient accumulation and may thus be a solution of the dilemma. After recapitulating existing strategies employed for the development of Cd-tolerant and biofortified cultivars, this viewpoint elaborates alternative approaches based on directed evolution and genome editing strategies for excluding Cd while enriching Accepted ArticleThis article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved micronutrients in plant foods, which will concurrently help to eradicate malnutrition and prevent Cd intoxication.

Overexpression of METAL TOLERANCE PROTEIN8 reveals new aspects of metal transport in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds

“…Genetically biofortified crops are enriched in micronutrient density by traditional breeding or transgenic techniques (Bouis et al 2011;Wiegmann et al 2019). Overexpression of metal transporters is a promising way to increase Fe and Zn concentrations of edible parts of crops (Kailasam & Peiter, 2021). For instance, in cassava, Fe concentrations in roots and stems were increased upon expression of the VACUOLAR IRON TRANSPORTER1 (VIT1) of Arabidopsis thaliana (Narayanan et al 2015); in wheat, overexpression of TaVIT2 under control of an endosperm-specific promoter resulted in a more than doubled Fe concentration in white flour (Connorton et al 2017).…”

“…2019). Overexpression of metal transporters is a promising way to increase Fe and Zn concentrations of edible parts of crops (Kailasam & Peiter, 2021). For instance, in cassava, Fe concentrations in roots and stems were increased upon expression of the VACUOLAR IRON TRANSPORTER1 ( VIT1 ) of Arabidopsis thaliana (Narayanan et al .…”

Role of Soil and Foliar‐Applied Carbon Dots in Plant Iron Biofortification and Cadmium Mitigation by Triggering Opposite Iron Signaling in Roots

“…[ 8 ] A path toward concurrent essential TEs biofortification and toxic Cd mitigation in plant‐based foods remains a global challenge. [ 8 ]…”

“…[ 7 ] On the contrary, the possible reduction of essential TEs should also be considered when attempting to mitigate toxic Cd accumulation in edible plant parts. [ 8 ] A path toward concurrent essential TEs biofortification and toxic Cd mitigation in plant‐based foods remains a global challenge. [ 8 ]…”

Effect of liposomal drug based on interferon and extract from Silybum marianum on antioxidative status of bulls against the background of contamination of fodders by cadmium and plumbum

“…When the concentrations of heavy metals in soil increase, plants absorb them in larger amounts, which leads to accumulation of those contaminants in food chains (Kailasam & Peiter, 2021;Zheng et al, 2021). Heavy metals are toxic due to electric configuration, electronegativity, value of oxidative-reduced potential, ionization, affinity to some chemical groups, ability to permeate through the cellular membrane and form complexes on the surface of and inside the cell and also with the structure of a biological object (Bashchenko et al, 2020;Gul et al, 2021;Kar & Patra, 2021).…”