Combating Mineral Malnutrition through Iron and Zinc Biofortification of Cereals

Abstract

Iron and zinc are 2 important nutrients in the human diet. Their deficiencies in humans lead to a variety of health-related problems. Iron and zinc biofortification of cereals is considered a cost-effective solution to overcome the malnutrition of these minerals. Biofortification aims at either increasing accumulation of these minerals in edible parts, endosperm, or to increase their bioavailability. Iron and zinc fertilization management positively influence their accumulation in cereal grains. Regarding genetic strategies, quantitative genetic studies show the existence of ample variation for iron and zinc accumulation as well as inhibitors or promoters of their bioavailability in cereal grains. However, the genes underlying this variation have rarely been identified and never used in breeding programs. Genetically modified cereals developed by modulation of genes involved in iron and zinc homeostasis, or genes influencing bioavailability, have shown promising results. However, iron and zinc concentration were quantified in the whole grains during most of the studies, whereas a significant proportion of them is lost during milling. This makes it difficult to realistically assess the effectiveness of the different strategies. Moreover, modifications in the accumulation of toxic elements, like cadmium and arsenic, that are of concern for food safety are rarely determined. Trials in living organisms with iron-and zinc-biofortified cereals also remain to be undertaken. This review focuses on the common challenges and their possible solutions related to agronomic as well as genetic iron and zinc biofortification of cereals.

Rice grain nutritional traits and their enhancement using relevant genes and QTLs through advanced approaches

“…More than half of the world population is suffering from bioavailable nutrient deficiencies particularly in developing countries (Seshadri 1997; Shahzad et al 2014). The main reason of these deficiency occurred due to consumption of polished cereal based food crops as rice, wheat and maize (Pfeiffer and McClafferty 2007).…”

Mapping QTL associated with remobilization of zinc from vegetative tissues into grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare)

“…These two factors and a decline in the soil Zn status due to intensive farming have negatively affected grain Zn concentration (Fan et al 2008;Hussain et al 2012b). Based on these findings, and also due to a relatively low cost and ease of accessibility by the target groups, Zn biofortification of cereal grains is considered an optimal approach in combating human Zn deficiency on a large scale (Meenakshi et al 2007;Hotz 2009;Shahzad et al 2014).…”

Genetic Processes of Iron and Zinc Accumulation in Edible Portion of Crops and Their Agro-Biofortification: A Review

“…NPK nutrient management and organic fertilizer application can decrease the soil pH and increase soil available Fe and Zn concentration, and finally increase the yield and total Fe and Zn content in grains [75]. More researches focused on the effect of alternating effect between different elements.…”