Biofortification of wheat with zinc for eliminating deficiency in Pakistan: study protocol for a cluster-randomised, double-blind, controlled effectiveness study (BIZIFED2)

Lowe, Nicola M; Zaman, Mukhtiar; Morán, Victoria Hall; Ohly, Heather; Sinclair, Jonathan Kenneth; Fatima, Sadia; Broadley, Martin R.; Joy, Edward J. M.; Mahboob, Usman; Lark, R. Murray; Zia, Munir; Ander, E. Louise; Sharp, Paul; Bailey, Elizabeth H.; Young, Scott D.; Khan, Muhammad Khalid

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039231

Cited by 29 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Efficacy trials may thus provide proof of concept; however, effectiveness trials are necessary to demonstrate acceptability, impact and scalability in real-world situations. We are conducting a programme of research, known as BiZiFED, to evaluate the potential for a HarvestPlus produced zinc-biofortified wheat variety, Zincol-2016, to improve zinc status in women of reproductive age and adolescent girls and infants in Pakistan (42,47) . In the first phase of this programme, a study was conducted to explore the performance of Zincol-2016 under different soil conditions and fertilizer regimens.…”

Section: Biofortificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whilst more information is needed regarding the bioavailability of the zinc from the grain, initial studies indicate that the phytate content (main inhibitor of zinc absorption) of the Zincol-2016 grain is equivalent to that of standard varieties. The current phase of the research programme involves a double-blind cluster randomised trial of 500 households who are receiving either starch milled from Zincol-2016 wheat grain grown by local farmers, or a control non-biofortified variety (Galaxy), for a period of 6 months (42) . The cluster randomised trial is currently underway and the outcome measures include biomarkers of zinc status, anthropometry, and incidence and duration of diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infections in adolescent girls and infants.…”

Section: Biofortificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wheat (41)(42)(43)(44) Zinc India; Pakistan Rice (45) Zinc Bangladesh N. M. Lowe 286 detailed evaluation of the performance of the crop in different locations across Punjab province, under different agronomic conditions. A survey of over 500 farmers and a series of focus group discussions with both male and female community members have been conducted to explore the barriers and enablers to the potential national scale-up of Zincol-2016.…”

Section: Biofortificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The global challenge of hidden hunger: perspectives from the field

Lowe

2021

Proc. Nutr. Soc.

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The aim of this review paper is to explore the strategies employed to tackle micronutrient deficiencies with illustrations from field-based experience. Hidden hunger is the presence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies (particularly iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A), which can occur without a deficit in energy intake as a result of consuming an energy-dense, but nutrient-poor diet. It is estimated that it affects more than two billion people worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where there is a reliance on low-cost food staples and where the diversity of the diet is limited. Finding a way to improve the nutritional quality of diets for the poorest people is central to meeting the UN sustainable development goals particularly sustainable development goal 2: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. As we pass the midpoint of the UN's Decade for Action on Nutrition, it is timely to reflect on progress towards achieving sustainable development goal 2 and the strategies to reduce hidden hunger. Many low- and middle-income countries are falling behind national nutrition targets, and this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other recent shocks to the global food system which have disproportionately impacted the world's most vulnerable communities. Addressing inequalities within the food system must be central to developing a sustainable, cost-effective strategy for improving food quality that delivers benefit to the seldom heard and marginalised communities.

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Section: Biofortificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biofortificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biofortificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The global challenge of hidden hunger: perspectives from the field

Lowe

2021

Proc. Nutr. Soc.

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“…Populations living in rural socio-economically deprived communities may be at higher risk of micronutrient deficiencies as they typically have low diet diversity and a high prevalence household food insecurity [7]. We have found that approximately 30% of women of reproductive age living in the brick kiln areas around Peshawar had plasma zinc concentrations that fall below the cut-off value of 660 µg/L for adequacy [8]. Effective actions to eliminate hidden hunger among the most vulnerable groups are required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of Zero hunger by 2030 [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Community Perceptions of Zinc Biofortified Flour during an Intervention Study in Pakistan

et al. 2022

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Zinc-biofortified flour may be a cost-effective approach to improve zinc status of populations in low-resource settings. The success of biofortification programmes is subject to acceptability and uptake by consumers. This study explored community leaders’ and community members’ (n = 72) experiences and attitudes towards the flour provided during a cluster randomised controlled trial of zinc biofortified wheat in rural Pakistan (BiZiFED2). Focus group discussions (n = 12) were conducted and thematic analysis applied using an inductive, semantic, contextualist approach. Five themes were identified: (1) Contribution to food security; (2) Better sensory and baking properties than local flour; (3) Perceived health benefits; (4) Willingness to pay for the flour; and (5) Importance of trusted promoters/suppliers. Although the participants were blind to whether they had received control or biofortified flour, referred to collectively as “study flour”, the results indicated that the study flour performed well in terms of its taste and bread making qualities, with no adverse reports from participants in either arm of the BIZIFED2 RCT. Participants suggested that they would buy the biofortified wheat if this was available at a fair price due to perceived health benefits, reporting positive sensory characteristics and cooking attributes when compared to the flour available in the local markets. Overall, there was a positive reception of the programme and flour among the participants, and members of the community hoped for its continuation and expansion.

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“…By 2050, due to the increase in the world population, to avoid hunger, food production must significantly increase [1]. In addition, to ensure safety, food also must have high quality, specifically at a prophylactic level, providing the necessary nutrients, since it is expected that their deficiency might affect the health of more than two billion people worldwide [2,3]. In this context, some alternatives are being suggested, namely, agronomic Biol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Case Study about the Use of Precision Agriculture Technology Applied to a Zn Biofortification Workflow for Grapevine Vitis vinifera cv Moscatel

et al. 2021

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As the human population is growing worldwide, the food demand is sharply increasing. Following this assumption, strategies to enhance the food production are being explored, namely, smart farming, for monitoring crops during the production cycle. In this study, a vineyard of Vitis vinifera cv. Moscatel located in Palmela (N 38°35′47.113′′ O 8°40′46.651) was submitted to a Zn biofortification workflow, through foliar application of zinc oxide (ZnO) or zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) (at a concentration of 60% and 90%—900 g·ha−1 and 1350 g·ha−1, respectively). The field morphology and vigor of the vineyard was performed through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) images (assessed with altimetric measurement sensors), synchronized by GPS. Drainage capacity and slopes showed one-third of the field with reduced surface drainage and a maximum variation of 0.80 m between the extremes (almost flat), respectively. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values reflected a greater vigor in treated grapes with treatment SZn90 showing a higher value. These data were interpolated with mineral content, monitored with atomic absorption analysis (showing a 1.3-fold increase for the biofortification index). It was concluded that the used technologies furnishes specific target information in real time about the crops production.

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Biofortification of wheat with zinc for eliminating deficiency in Pakistan: study protocol for a cluster-randomised, double-blind, controlled effectiveness study (BIZIFED2)

Cited by 29 publications

References 17 publications

The global challenge of hidden hunger: perspectives from the field

The global challenge of hidden hunger: perspectives from the field

Community Perceptions of Zinc Biofortified Flour during an Intervention Study in Pakistan

A Case Study about the Use of Precision Agriculture Technology Applied to a Zn Biofortification Workflow for Grapevine Vitis vinifera cv Moscatel

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