Microbial participation in biofortification can improve the availability of selenium(Se)in soil and contribute to the enrichment of Se in crops.In this study,a selenite(Se(IV))reducing strain was isolated from Se-rich...Microbial participation in biofortification can improve the availability of selenium(Se)in soil and contribute to the enrichment of Se in crops.In this study,a selenite(Se(IV))reducing strain was isolated from Se-rich soil,and its Se transformation and bio-enhancement ability were studied.The strain was identified as Bacillus pseudomycoides and could reduce more than 93.48%of 1.0 m M Se(IV)in 54 h.The results of scanning electron microscope(SEM)and energy dispersive Xray spectrometry(EDS)showed that Se(IV)was reduced to Se(0),and Se nanoparticles(Se NPs)were eventually formed.In pot experiments,B.pseudomycoides SA14 could promote the bioavailable Se in soils and the concentration of Se in Brassica chinensis L..The concentrations of watersoluble Se,ion exchange Se and carbonate-binding Se in soil were increased by 23.13%,22.05%and 30.89%,respectively.The Se concentration of Brassica chinensis L.in pot experiments was increased by 145.05%.The relative abundance of Bacillus in soil increased from 0.97%to 2.08%in the pot experiments.As far as we know,this is the first report of Se reduction by B.pseudomycoides.This study might provide a prospective strategy for microbial fortification of Se in crops.展开更多
Global efforts to address malnutrition and hidden hunger, particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, have intensified, with a focus on enhancing the nutritional content of staple crops like rice. Desp...Global efforts to address malnutrition and hidden hunger, particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, have intensified, with a focus on enhancing the nutritional content of staple crops like rice. Despite serving as a staple for over half of the world's population, rice falls short in meeting daily nutritional requirements, especially for iron(Fe) and zinc(Zn). Genetic resources, such as wild rice species and specific rice varieties, offer promising avenues for enhancing Fe and Zn content. Additionally, molecular breeding approaches have identified key genes and loci associated with Fe and Zn accumulation in rice grains. This review explores the genetic resources and molecular mechanisms underlying Fe and Zn accumulation in rice grains. The functional genomics involved in Fe uptake, transport, and distribution in rice plants have revealed key genes such as OsFRO1, OsIRT1, and OsNAS3. Similarly, genes associated with Zn uptake and translocation, including OsZIP11 and OsNRAMP1, have been identified. Transgenic approaches, leveraging transporter gene families and genome editing technologies, offer promising avenues for enhancing Fe and Zn content in rice grains. Moreover, strategies for reducing phytic acid(PA) content, a known inhibitor of mineral bioavailability, have been explored, including the identification of low-PA mutants and natural variants. The integration of genomic information, including whole-genome resequencing and pan-genome analyses, provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of micronutrient traits and facilitates targeted breeding efforts. Functional genomics studies have elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying Fe uptake and translocation in rice. Furthermore, transgenic and genome editing techniques have shown promise in enhancing Fe and Zn content in rice grains through the manipulation of key transporter genes. Overall, the integration of multi-omics approaches holds significant promise for addressing global malnutrition and hidden hunger by enhancing the nutritional quality of rice, thereby contributing to improved food and nutritional security worldwide.展开更多
Deficiencies of essential vitamins,iron(Fe),and zinc(Zn)affect over one-half of the world’s population.A significant progress has been made to control micronutrient deficiencies through supplementation,but new approa...Deficiencies of essential vitamins,iron(Fe),and zinc(Zn)affect over one-half of the world’s population.A significant progress has been made to control micronutrient deficiencies through supplementation,but new approaches are needed,especially to reach the rural poor.Agronomic biofortification of pulses with Zn,Fe,and boron(B)offers a pragmatic solution to combat hidden hunger instead of food fortification and supplementation.Moreover,it also has positive effects on crop production as well.Therefore,we conducted three separate field experiments for two consecutive years to evaluate the impact of soil and foliar application of the aforementioned nutrients on the yield and seed biofortification of mungbean.Soil application of Zn at 0,4.125,8.25,Fe at 0,2.5,5.0 and B at 0,0.55,1.1 kg ha−1 was done in the first,second and third experiment,respectively.Foliar application in these experiments was done at 0.3%Zn,0.2%Fe and 0.1%B respectively one week after flowering initiation.Data revealed that soil-applied Zn,Fe and B at 8.25,5.0 and 1.1 kg ha−1,respectively,enhanced the grain yield of mungbean;however,this increase in yield was statistically similar to that recorded with Zn,Fe and B at 4.125,2.5 and 0.55 kg ha−1,respectively.Foliar application of these nutrients at flower initiation significantly enhanced the Zn contents by 28%and 31%,Fe contents by 80%and 78%,while B contents by 98%and 116%over control during 2019 and 2020,respectively.It was concluded from the results that soil application of Zn,Fe,and B enhanced the yield performance of mungbean;while significant improvements in seed Zn,Fe,and B contents were recorded with foliar application of these nutrients.展开更多
Globally about half of the world’s population is under micronutrient malnutrition due to poor quality food intake.To overcome this problem,fortification and biofortification techniques are often used.Biofortification...Globally about half of the world’s population is under micronutrient malnutrition due to poor quality food intake.To overcome this problem,fortification and biofortification techniques are often used.Biofortification is considered a better option than fortification due to the easy control of nutrient deficiencies present in daily food.This field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of foliar application of a micronutrient mixture(MNM)consisting of zinc(Zn),iron(Fe),copper(Cu),manganese(Mn)and boron(B)on yield and flour quality of wheat.The results show the effectiveness of foliar feeding for growth and yield parameters,in addition to the enriching of wheat grains with Zn,Cu,Fe,Mn and B.Compared to the control without foliar feeding,foliar application on wheat crop increased tillering ability,spike length,grain yield and the contents of Zn,Cu,Mn,Fe and B by 21,47,22,22 and 25%in wheat flour,respectively.Therefore,foliar feeding of micronutrients could be an effective approach to enrich wheat grains with essential nutrients for correcting malnutrition.展开更多
Selenium(Se)deficiency commonly occurs in soils of northeastern China and leads to insufficient Se intake by humans.A two-year field study of Se biofortification of common buckwheat supplied with 40 g Se ha^(-1)as sel...Selenium(Se)deficiency commonly occurs in soils of northeastern China and leads to insufficient Se intake by humans.A two-year field study of Se biofortification of common buckwheat supplied with 40 g Se ha^(-1)as selenite(Se(IV)),selenate(Se(VI)),or a combination(1/2 Se(IV+VI))was performed to investigate Se accumulation and translocation in plants and determine the effects of different forms of Se on the grain yield,biomass production,and Se use efficiency of plants and seeds.Se application increased seed Se concentrations to 47.1–265.1μg kg^(-1).Seed Se concentrations following Se(VI)or 1/2 Se(IV+VI)treatment exceeded 100μg kg^(-1),an amount suitable for crop Se biofortification.Se concentration in shoots and roots decreased with plant development,and Se translocation from root to shoot in Se(IV)-treated plants was lower than that in plants treated with 1/2 Se(IV+VI)and Se(VI).Both grain yield and biomass production increased under 1/2 Se(IV+VI)treatment,with grain yields reaching 1663.8 and 1558.5 kg ha^(-1)in 2015 and 2016,respectively,reflecting increases of 11.0% and 10.3% over those without Se application.The Se use efficiency of seeds and plants under Se(VI)treatment was significantly higher than those under 1/2 Se(IV+VI)and Se(IV)treatments.Thus,application of selenate could result in higher Se accumulation in buckwheat seeds than application of the other Se sources,but the combined application of selenate and selenite might be an alternative approach for improving buckwheat grain yield by Se biofortification in northeastern China.展开更多
Mineral nutrient malnutrition,especially deficiency in selenium(Se),affects the health of approximately 1 billion people worldwide.Wheat,a staple food crop,plays an important role in producing Se-enriched foodstuffs t...Mineral nutrient malnutrition,especially deficiency in selenium(Se),affects the health of approximately 1 billion people worldwide.Wheat,a staple food crop,plays an important role in producing Se-enriched foodstuffs to increase the Se intake of humans.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different Se application methods on grain yield and nutritional quality,grain Se absorption and accumulation,as well as 14 other trace elements concentrations in wheat grains.A sand culture experiment was conducted via a completely randomized 3×2×1 factorial scheme(three Se levels×two methods of Se application,foliar or soil×one Se sources,selenite),with two wheat cultivars(Guizi No.1,Chinese Spring).The results showed that both foliar Se and soil Se application methods had effects on wheat pollination.Foliar Se application resulted in early flowering of wheat,while soil Se application caused early flowering of wheat at low Se levels(5 mg kg^(−1))and delayed wheat flowering at high selenium levels(10 mg kg^(−1)),respectively.For trace elements,human essential trace elements(Fe,Zn,Mn,Cu,Cr,Mo,Co and Ni)concentrations in wheat grains were dependent of Se applica-tion methods and wheat cultivars.However,toxic trace elements(Cd,Pb,Hg,As,Li and Al)concentrations can be decreased by both methods,indicating a possible antagonistic effect.Moreover,both methods increased Se concentrations,and improved grain yield and nutritional quality,while the foliar application was better than soil.Accordingly,this study provided useful information concerning nutritional biofortification of wheat,indicating that it is feasible to apply Se to conduct Se biofortification,inhibit the heavy metal elements concentrations and improve yield and quality in crops,which caused human health benefits.展开更多
Biofortification of commonly eaten staple food crops with essential mineral micronutrients is a potential sustainable solution to global micronutrient malnutrition. Because phytic acid (PA;1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis myo-inos...Biofortification of commonly eaten staple food crops with essential mineral micronutrients is a potential sustainable solution to global micronutrient malnutrition. Because phytic acid (PA;1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis myo-inositol) reduces mineral micronutrient bioavailability, reduction of PA levels could increase the bioavailability of biofortified iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). PA is viewed as an anti-nutrient, yet PA and other inositol phosphates have also demonstrated positive health benefits. Phytic acid analysis in the agricultural, food, and nutritional sciences is typically carried out by colorimetry and chromatographic techniques. In addition, advanced techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy have also been used in phytic acid analysis. The colorimetric analysis may overestimate PA levels and synchrotron X-ray absorption techniques may not detect very low levels of inositol phosphates. This short communication discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each widely used phytic acid analysis method, and suggests high performance anion exchange (HPAE) chromatography with conductivity detection (CD) based analysis can achieve greater accuracy for the identification and quantification of inositol phosphates. Accurate characterization and quantification of PA and inositol phosphates will inform PA reduction and biofortification efforts, allowing retention of the benefits of non-phytic inositol phosphates for both plants and humans.展开更多
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of iron biofortification on antioxidant response, yield and nutritional qualityof green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under greenhouse conditions. Fe was applied using t...The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of iron biofortification on antioxidant response, yield and nutritional qualityof green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under greenhouse conditions. Fe was applied using two forms (FeSO4 and Fe-EDDHA) at four doses of application (0, 25, 50 and 100 μm) added under a hydroponic system, and were tested over a period of 40 days. The Fe content was assessed in seeds, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes, production of H2O2, yield and nutritional quality. The results being obtained indicated that the accumulation of Fe in bean seeds enhanced with the application of Fe-EDDHA at the dose of 25 μm. This demonstrated that low Fe application dose was enough to increase Fe levels in seeds of common bean. In addition, Fe-EDDHA application form at 50 μmol was the best treatment to improve crop yield. Respect to antioxidant system, chelated form of Fe (Fe-EDDHA) was more effective in the activation of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GSH-PX), and a lower content of H2O2 in green bean seeds. Finally, to raise the Fe concentration in bean under biofortification program was a promising strategy in cropping systems in order to increase the ingestion of iron and antioxidant capacity in the general population and provided the benefits that this element offered in human health.展开更多
Yellow maize contains high levels of β-carotene(βC), making it an important crop for combating vitamin A deficiency through biofortification. In this study, nine maize inbred lines were selected at random from 31 pr...Yellow maize contains high levels of β-carotene(βC), making it an important crop for combating vitamin A deficiency through biofortification. In this study, nine maize inbred lines were selected at random from 31 provitamin A(PVA) maize inbred lines and crossed in a partial diallel mating design to develop 36 crosses. The crosses were evaluated in the field in two locations(Samaru and Kerawa) and their seed carotenoid content were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The modes of gene action, heritability, and correlations between agronomic traits and carotenoid content were estimated. Additive genetic variances(σ~2a) were lower than non-additive genetic variances(σ~2d) for all the carotenoids, plant height(PH), and grain yield(GY), suggesting a preponderance of non-additive gene action. Broad-sense heritability(H^2) was high(H^2> 60%) for zeaxanthin,days to anthesis, and PH, moderate(30% < H^2< 60%) for lutein and GY, and low(H^2< 30%)for alpha carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, βC, and PVA. Genetic advance as a percentage of mean, considered with H^2, also suggests a preponderance of non-additive gene action for PVA carotenoids. Hybrid variety development is thus an appropriate approach to improving grain yield and PVA. GY showed no significant genotypic correlations with carotenoid content, suggesting that these traits can be improved concurrently. Thus, there is ample scope for improvement of PVA and GY in the sample of tropical-adapted maize.展开更多
The Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) Project explored advocacy and the use of advocates as a model strategy for scaling up biofortification in Nigeria during its three-year implementation. In addition to its di...The Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) Project explored advocacy and the use of advocates as a model strategy for scaling up biofortification in Nigeria during its three-year implementation. In addition to its direct advocacy efforts, the BNFB project identified and selected key personnel across disciplines, gender and sectors, based on some selected criteria, as Advocates to support the scaling up of biofortification by raise of investments, resource mobilization, the inclusion of biofortification in relevant policy documents, strategies and plans of action. To realize these, the selected 32 Advocates were empowered to mainstream biofortification into their existing and/or potential programs/projects, as well as create awareness and demand for biofortified crops within their spheres of influence. Training and retreats were organized for the Advocates to strengthen their capacities in advocacy and promotion of biofortification and biofortified crops, while a social platform was launched to share opportunities, experiences and address issues around biofortification within the Advocates. As a result of these efforts, biofortification was included in three key national policies, strategies/plans of actions with resource allocation, and investments, over USD3 million were raised for biofortification. The Federal Government of Nigeria and some external governments became committed to biofortification programs while biofortified crops were mainstreamed in at least two national programs in Nigeria. Biofortified crops were included in the Home-Grown School Feeding Program of two states. The use of Advocates proved to be a resultful strategy in the biofortification scaling up model of BNFB as the advocates, upon being trained, looked out within their sectors and disciplines to mainstream biofortification into their programs. They gave timely information on potential opportunities to follow up with in influencing favorable policies;they mobilized resources nationally, regionally and locally;they facilitated wider coverage of biofortification within a short time. However, the influence of the Advocates was limited to their number and locations;thus, for a quick win in Nigeria, there is a need to raise advocates in all the 36 states of the country while giving equal priority to national and state level advocacy. As a lesson, to engender adoption of biofortification, participation/leveraging on existing programs in advocacy works faster and easier than starting afresh in Nigeria.展开更多
Malnutrition and associated health problems are partly related to minerals and vitamins deficiencies where anemia and stunting are the major diseases affecting nearly half of pregnant women and about 20% children unde...Malnutrition and associated health problems are partly related to minerals and vitamins deficiencies where anemia and stunting are the major diseases affecting nearly half of pregnant women and about 20% children under age of five, respectively in developing countries. Despite the significant progress made in recent decades, prevalence of stunting in Ethiopia remains high (44%, among children) that necessitate the country yet to make significant investment in nutrition and health. Strategies designed to overcome the problem range from micronutrient rich foods supplement to complementing foods with vegetables and fruits. However, such strategies are expensive as well as not sustainable to reach the poor households of developing countries. The persistence of the problem calls for agriculture based alternative solutions such as agronomic biofortification and micronutrients biofortification through plant breeding. Utilization of crop wild relatives, local landraces and old cultivars are proved to contain sufficient grain micronutrients and their utilization in breeding programs can solve the deficiency of micronutrients such as zinc and iron. Similarly, agronomic biofortification could improve grain Zn and Fe contents in several folds. Application methods and crop developmental stages during which fortification applied significantly determine the efficiency of fortification. Foliar application at heading and milking stages could accumulate very high Zn and Fe in cereal grains. The synergistic effect of genetic and agronomic fortification could also be utilized to produce Zn and Fe rich food crops. Hence, linking agriculture with nutrition and health could offer equitable, effective, sustainable and cheap solutions to micronutrients malnutrition and their deficiency related health problems.展开更多
Methionine,an essential sulfur-containing amino acid,plays a vital role in animal and human nutrition.However,its levels are typically low in crop plants,thereby limiting their overall nutritional value.Methionine def...Methionine,an essential sulfur-containing amino acid,plays a vital role in animal and human nutrition.However,its levels are typically low in crop plants,thereby limiting their overall nutritional value.Methionine deficiency negatively impacts growth,development,and physiological functions,contributing to impaired conditions such as reduced immune response,reduced reproductive capacity,defective protein synthesis,bone disorders,hepatic steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis(Navik et al.,2021).To mitigate these effects,synthetic methionine is commonly supplemented in food and animal feed,particularly in Western countries.Dietary methionine enrichment has been shown to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation,support glucose homeostasis,and improve bone,kidney,and liver health(Navik et al.,2021).展开更多
Hidden hunger,caused by chronic micronutrient deficiencies,affects billions of people worldwide and remains a critical public health issue despite progress in food production.Biofortification offers a promising soluti...Hidden hunger,caused by chronic micronutrient deficiencies,affects billions of people worldwide and remains a critical public health issue despite progress in food production.Biofortification offers a promising solution by enhancing nutrient levels within plant tissues through traditional breeding or advanced biotechnologies.Recent advancements in plant synthetic biology have significantly improved biofortification strategies,enabling precise and targeted nutrient enrichment.This mini-review outlines five core strategies in synthetic biology-based biofortification:overexpression of endogenous biosynthetic genes,introduction of heterologous biosynthetic pathways,expression of nutrient-specific transporters,optimization of transcriptional regulation,and protein(directed)evolution.Vitamin B1 biofortification serves as a primary illustrative example due to its historical importance and ongoing relevance.Recent breakthroughs,particularly from Chinese research teams,are also highlighted.Together,these strategies offer transformative potential for addressing global nutritional challenges through precise,sustainable and innovative plant-based approaches.展开更多
The deficiencies of micronutrients known as hidden hunger are severely affecting more than one-half of the world’s population,which is highly related to low bioavailability of micronutrients,poor quality diets,and co...The deficiencies of micronutrients known as hidden hunger are severely affecting more than one-half of the world’s population,which is highly related to low bioavailability of micronutrients,poor quality diets,and consumption of cereal-based foods in developing countries.Although numerous experiments proved biofortification as a paramount approach for improving hidden hunger around the world,its effectiveness is highly related to various soil factors,climate conditions,and the adoption rates of biofortified crops.Furthermore,agronomic biofortification may result in the sedimentation of heavy metals in the soil that pose another detrimental effect on plants and human health.In response to these challenges,several studies suggested intercropping as one of the feasible,eco-friendly,low-cost,and short-term approaches for improving the nutritional quality and yield of crops sustainable way.Besides,it is the cornerstone of climate-smart agriculture and the holistic solution for the most vulnerable area to solve malnutrition that disturbs human healthy catastrophically.Nevertheless,there is meager information on mechanisms and processes related to soil-plant interspecific interactions that lead to an increment of nutrients bioavailability to tackle the crisis of micronutrient deficiency in a nature-based solution.In this regard,this review tempted to(1)explore mechanisms and processes that can favor the bioavailability of Zn,Fe,P,etc.in soil and edible parts of crops,(2)synthesize available information on the benefits and synergic role of the intercropping system in food and nutritional security,and(3)outline the bottlenecks influencing the effectiveness of biofortification for promoting sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA).Based on this review SSA countries are malnourished due to limited access to diverse diets,supplementation,and commercially fortified food;hence,I suggest integrated research by agronomists,plant nutritionists,and agroecologist to intensify and utilize intercropping systems as biofortification sustainably alleviating micronutrient deficiencies.展开更多
Rice is a poor source of folate,an essential micronutrient for the body.Biofortification offers an effective way to enhance the folate content of rice and alleviate folate deficiencies in humans.In this study,we confi...Rice is a poor source of folate,an essential micronutrient for the body.Biofortification offers an effective way to enhance the folate content of rice and alleviate folate deficiencies in humans.In this study,we confirmed that OsADCS and OsGTPCHI,encoding the initial enzymes necessary for folate synthesis,positively regulate folate accumulation in knockout mutants of both japonica and indica rice backgrounds.The folate content in the low-folate japonica variety was slightly increased by the expression of the indica alleles driven by the endosperm-specific promoter.We further obtained co-expression lines by stacking OsADCS and OsGTPCHI genes;the folate accumulation in brown rice and polished rice reached 5.65μg/g and 2.95μg/g,respectively,representing 37.9-fold and 26.5-fold increases compared with the wild type.Transcriptomic analysis of rice grains from six transgenic lines showed that folate changes affected biological pathways involved in the synthesis and metabolism of rice seed storage substances,while the expression of other folate synthesis genes was weakly regulated.In addition,we identified Aus rice as a high-folate germplasm carrying superior haplotypes of OsADCS and OsGTPCHI through natural variation.This study provides an alternative and effective complementary strategy for rice biofortification,promoting the rational combination of metabolic engineering and conventional breeding to breed high-folate varieties.展开更多
One-third of the global population is affected by micronutrient deficiency, particularly folate. Although folate synthesis has been relatively well characterized, few folate-related genes in maize have been cloned, an...One-third of the global population is affected by micronutrient deficiency, particularly folate. Although folate synthesis has been relatively well characterized, few folate-related genes in maize have been cloned, and the molecular mechanism regulating folate synthesis in maize remains unclear. In this study,transcriptome and proteome analyses of three waxy maize inbred lines with high, medium, and low folate contents were performed to identify key genes controlling folate biosynthesis. Pairwise comparisons revealed 21 differentially expressed genes and 20 differentially expressed proteins potentially associated with folate biosynthesis in the three lines. Six key folate-associated genes, Zm Mocos2, Zm GGH,Zm ADCL2, Zm CBR1, Zm SHMT, and Zm Pur H, were identified. These genes encode enzymes that potentially function in folate biosynthesis. Functional validation of one of these genes, Zm ADCL2, using an EMS mutant(Mut9264) showed that a 4-base insertion in an exon increased the folate content of fresh maize kernels 1.37-fold that of the wild type. Zm ADCL2 was considered a potential target for generating maize lines with higher folate content. KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes and proteins showed that several pathways in addition to folate biosynthesis were likely indirectly involved in folate metabolism and content(e.g., glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism;purine metabolism;cysteine and methionine metabolism;alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism;glutathione metabolism;and pyruvate metabolism. The transcriptome and proteomic data generated in this study will help to clarify the mechanisms underlying folate accumulation and aid breeding efforts to biofortify maize with folate.展开更多
To improve the nutritional and functional value of rice,numerous biotechnological approaches have focused on metabolic engineering to address nutritional deficiencies and produce health-beneficial compounds that are e...To improve the nutritional and functional value of rice,numerous biotechnological approaches have focused on metabolic engineering to address nutritional deficiencies and produce health-beneficial compounds that are either absent or naturally present in low amounts.A prominent example is‘Golden Rice’,which has been genetically modified to accumulateβ-carotene to combat vitamin A deficiency in regions with limited dietary intake.Scientists have been continuously biofortifying rice with various specialized metabolites,including terpenoids,flavonoids,non-flavonoid polyphenols,betalains,vitamins,and amino acids.This review explores the specific pathways and genetic modifications utilized by researchers to enhance the accumulation of targeted metabolites in rice.It comprehensively summarizes key strategies and research trends in rice metabolic engineering,demonstrating how rice can be transformed into a strategic crop for producing industrially valuable compounds beyond its traditional role as a staple food by leveraging its advantages as a versatile host system through its grains,leaves,and cells.Furthermore,we highlight the potential of intergrating metabolic engineering with synthetic biology and big data-driven computational modeling,particularly through artificial intelligence and machine learning,as promising future research directions.展开更多
Rice(Oryza sativa L.)farmers face challenges with metal accumulation in grain,with nickel(Ni)recently emerging as a concern due to its potential to exceed legal limits,alongside cadmium(Cd).Information on Ni behaviour...Rice(Oryza sativa L.)farmers face challenges with metal accumulation in grain,with nickel(Ni)recently emerging as a concern due to its potential to exceed legal limits,alongside cadmium(Cd).Information on Ni behaviour and its interaction with Cd remains limited.Selenium(Se)is commonly used for rice biofortification and can reduce the accumulation of toxic metals in plants.Therefore,this study investigates how Ni and Cd influence mutual accumulation in rice and examines the impact of different Se forms on their interactions.Plants were grown hydroponically with various combinations of Cd(5 or 20μmol/L),Ni(20μmol/L),and Se(5μmol/L)as selenate(Se^(6+))or selenite(Se^(4+))for 7 d.Plant growth,lipid peroxidation,and element accumulation were measured,and the distribution of Se and Ni in tissues was assayed using synchrotron-basedμXRF 2D imaging.Cd and Ni were toxic to rice,reducing leaf and root biomass by 40%‒50%and inducing oxidative stress.However,their combined presence did not further exacerbate leaf growth reduction.Cd reduced root Ni accumulation by approximately 50%at equimolar concentrations,likely due to competitive inhibition at shared transport sites.Se promoted root growth in the presence of Ni and low Cd,suggesting an antioxidant role in mitigating metal-induced stress.However,high doses of Ni and Cd together significantly reduced Se accumulation(by 60%and 77%for Se^(4+)in roots and Se^(6+)in leaves,respectively)and caused severe oxidative stress in the presence of Se^(4+).The effectiveness of Se biofortification varied depending on the Se form:Se^(6+)was more effective at reducing Ni accumulation,while Se^(4+)effectively reduced Cd accumulation(by 45%‒75%)at low concentrations and Ni accumulation in the absence of Cd(by 50%).In conclusion,this study demonstrates that Se can mitigate Cd and Ni accumulation in rice.However,the co-presence of Cd and Ni may compromise Se enrichment in rice,highlighting the complexity of their interactions.展开更多
Insufficient dietary intake of micronutHents, known as ＂hidden hunger＂, is a devastating global burden, affecting two billion people. Deficiency of folates （vitamin B9）, which are known to play a central role in C...Insufficient dietary intake of micronutHents, known as ＂hidden hunger＂, is a devastating global burden, affecting two billion people. Deficiency of folates （vitamin B9）, which are known to play a central role in Cl metabolism, causes birth defects in at least a quarter million people annually. Biofortification to enhance the level of naturally occurring folates in crop plants, proves to be an efficient and cost-effective tool in fighting folate deficiency. Previously, introduction of folate biosynthesis genes GTPCHI andADCS, proven to be a successful biofortification strategy in rice and tomato, turned out to be insufficient to adequately increase folate levels in potato tubers. Here, we provide a proof of concept that additional introduction of HPPK/DHPS and/or FPGS, downstream genes in mitochonddal folate biosynthesis, enables augmenta- tion of folates to satisfactory levels （12-fold） and ensures folate stability upon long-term storage of tubers. In conclusion, this engineering strategy can serve as a model in the creation of folate-accumulating potato cultivars, readily applicable in potato-consuming populations suffedng from folate deficiency.展开更多
Zinc plays many essential roles in life.As a strong Lewis acid that lacks redox activity under environ-mental and cellular conditions,the Zn2+cation is central in determining protein structure and catalytic function o...Zinc plays many essential roles in life.As a strong Lewis acid that lacks redox activity under environ-mental and cellular conditions,the Zn2+cation is central in determining protein structure and catalytic function of nearly 10%of most eukaryotic proteomes.While specific functions of zinc have been elucidated at a molecular level in a number of plant proteins,wider issues abound with respect to the acquisition and distribution of zinc by plants.An important challenge is to understand how plants balance between Zn supply in soil and their own nutritional requirement for zinc,particularly where edaphic factors lead to a lack of bioavailable zinc or,conversely,an excess of zinc that bears a major risk of phyto-toxicity.Plants are the ultimate source of zinc in the human diet,and human Zn deficiency accounts for over 400000 deaths annually.Here,we review the current understanding of zinc homeostasis in plants from the molecular and physiological perspectives.We provide an overview of approaches pursued so far in Zn biofortification of crops.Finally,we outline a"push-pull"model of zinc nutrition in plants as a simplifying concept.In summary,this review discusses avenues that can potentially deliver wider bene-fits for both plant and human Zn nutrition.展开更多
基金supported by the Open Project of Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Evaluation and Remediation of Agricultural Land in Plain Area,MNR(No.ZJGCJ202001)Basic Public Welfare Research Program of Zhejiang Province(No.LGF22D030001)Jiande City(No.HX2022B-011)。
文摘Microbial participation in biofortification can improve the availability of selenium(Se)in soil and contribute to the enrichment of Se in crops.In this study,a selenite(Se(IV))reducing strain was isolated from Se-rich soil,and its Se transformation and bio-enhancement ability were studied.The strain was identified as Bacillus pseudomycoides and could reduce more than 93.48%of 1.0 m M Se(IV)in 54 h.The results of scanning electron microscope(SEM)and energy dispersive Xray spectrometry(EDS)showed that Se(IV)was reduced to Se(0),and Se nanoparticles(Se NPs)were eventually formed.In pot experiments,B.pseudomycoides SA14 could promote the bioavailable Se in soils and the concentration of Se in Brassica chinensis L..The concentrations of watersoluble Se,ion exchange Se and carbonate-binding Se in soil were increased by 23.13%,22.05%and 30.89%,respectively.The Se concentration of Brassica chinensis L.in pot experiments was increased by 145.05%.The relative abundance of Bacillus in soil increased from 0.97%to 2.08%in the pot experiments.As far as we know,this is the first report of Se reduction by B.pseudomycoides.This study might provide a prospective strategy for microbial fortification of Se in crops.
文摘Global efforts to address malnutrition and hidden hunger, particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, have intensified, with a focus on enhancing the nutritional content of staple crops like rice. Despite serving as a staple for over half of the world's population, rice falls short in meeting daily nutritional requirements, especially for iron(Fe) and zinc(Zn). Genetic resources, such as wild rice species and specific rice varieties, offer promising avenues for enhancing Fe and Zn content. Additionally, molecular breeding approaches have identified key genes and loci associated with Fe and Zn accumulation in rice grains. This review explores the genetic resources and molecular mechanisms underlying Fe and Zn accumulation in rice grains. The functional genomics involved in Fe uptake, transport, and distribution in rice plants have revealed key genes such as OsFRO1, OsIRT1, and OsNAS3. Similarly, genes associated with Zn uptake and translocation, including OsZIP11 and OsNRAMP1, have been identified. Transgenic approaches, leveraging transporter gene families and genome editing technologies, offer promising avenues for enhancing Fe and Zn content in rice grains. Moreover, strategies for reducing phytic acid(PA) content, a known inhibitor of mineral bioavailability, have been explored, including the identification of low-PA mutants and natural variants. The integration of genomic information, including whole-genome resequencing and pan-genome analyses, provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of micronutrient traits and facilitates targeted breeding efforts. Functional genomics studies have elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying Fe uptake and translocation in rice. Furthermore, transgenic and genome editing techniques have shown promise in enhancing Fe and Zn content in rice grains through the manipulation of key transporter genes. Overall, the integration of multi-omics approaches holds significant promise for addressing global malnutrition and hidden hunger by enhancing the nutritional quality of rice, thereby contributing to improved food and nutritional security worldwide.
基金the Researchers Supporting Project No.(RSP2023R410)King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi ArabiaPunjab Agricultural Research Board,Pakistan for funding the Research Project PARB No.904.
文摘Deficiencies of essential vitamins,iron(Fe),and zinc(Zn)affect over one-half of the world’s population.A significant progress has been made to control micronutrient deficiencies through supplementation,but new approaches are needed,especially to reach the rural poor.Agronomic biofortification of pulses with Zn,Fe,and boron(B)offers a pragmatic solution to combat hidden hunger instead of food fortification and supplementation.Moreover,it also has positive effects on crop production as well.Therefore,we conducted three separate field experiments for two consecutive years to evaluate the impact of soil and foliar application of the aforementioned nutrients on the yield and seed biofortification of mungbean.Soil application of Zn at 0,4.125,8.25,Fe at 0,2.5,5.0 and B at 0,0.55,1.1 kg ha−1 was done in the first,second and third experiment,respectively.Foliar application in these experiments was done at 0.3%Zn,0.2%Fe and 0.1%B respectively one week after flowering initiation.Data revealed that soil-applied Zn,Fe and B at 8.25,5.0 and 1.1 kg ha−1,respectively,enhanced the grain yield of mungbean;however,this increase in yield was statistically similar to that recorded with Zn,Fe and B at 4.125,2.5 and 0.55 kg ha−1,respectively.Foliar application of these nutrients at flower initiation significantly enhanced the Zn contents by 28%and 31%,Fe contents by 80%and 78%,while B contents by 98%and 116%over control during 2019 and 2020,respectively.It was concluded from the results that soil application of Zn,Fe,and B enhanced the yield performance of mungbean;while significant improvements in seed Zn,Fe,and B contents were recorded with foliar application of these nutrients.
基金supported by the Plant Nutrition and Stress Management Laboratory, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
文摘Globally about half of the world’s population is under micronutrient malnutrition due to poor quality food intake.To overcome this problem,fortification and biofortification techniques are often used.Biofortification is considered a better option than fortification due to the easy control of nutrient deficiencies present in daily food.This field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of foliar application of a micronutrient mixture(MNM)consisting of zinc(Zn),iron(Fe),copper(Cu),manganese(Mn)and boron(B)on yield and flour quality of wheat.The results show the effectiveness of foliar feeding for growth and yield parameters,in addition to the enriching of wheat grains with Zn,Cu,Fe,Mn and B.Compared to the control without foliar feeding,foliar application on wheat crop increased tillering ability,spike length,grain yield and the contents of Zn,Cu,Mn,Fe and B by 21,47,22,22 and 25%in wheat flour,respectively.Therefore,foliar feeding of micronutrients could be an effective approach to enrich wheat grains with essential nutrients for correcting malnutrition.
基金provided by the China Agriculture Research System(CARS-08-B-1)by Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest(201503121-11)the China Scholarship Council for providing a graduate research fellowship to Y.Jiang as a joint Ph.D.student at Colorado State University for one year(201606350049)
文摘Selenium(Se)deficiency commonly occurs in soils of northeastern China and leads to insufficient Se intake by humans.A two-year field study of Se biofortification of common buckwheat supplied with 40 g Se ha^(-1)as selenite(Se(IV)),selenate(Se(VI)),or a combination(1/2 Se(IV+VI))was performed to investigate Se accumulation and translocation in plants and determine the effects of different forms of Se on the grain yield,biomass production,and Se use efficiency of plants and seeds.Se application increased seed Se concentrations to 47.1–265.1μg kg^(-1).Seed Se concentrations following Se(VI)or 1/2 Se(IV+VI)treatment exceeded 100μg kg^(-1),an amount suitable for crop Se biofortification.Se concentration in shoots and roots decreased with plant development,and Se translocation from root to shoot in Se(IV)-treated plants was lower than that in plants treated with 1/2 Se(IV+VI)and Se(VI).Both grain yield and biomass production increased under 1/2 Se(IV+VI)treatment,with grain yields reaching 1663.8 and 1558.5 kg ha^(-1)in 2015 and 2016,respectively,reflecting increases of 11.0% and 10.3% over those without Se application.The Se use efficiency of seeds and plants under Se(VI)treatment was significantly higher than those under 1/2 Se(IV+VI)and Se(IV)treatments.Thus,application of selenate could result in higher Se accumulation in buckwheat seeds than application of the other Se sources,but the combined application of selenate and selenite might be an alternative approach for improving buckwheat grain yield by Se biofortification in northeastern China.
基金This research was supported by the National Science Foundation of China(31560578,Cheng JP,http://www.nsfc.gov.cn)the cultivation Project of Sichuan Science and Technology Innovation Seedling Program(2019101,Liang Y,http://mzgc.tccxfw.com)+2 种基金Sichuan International Science and Technology Cooperation and Exchange Research and Development Project(2018HH0116,Yan J,http://kjt.sc.gov.cn)Sichuan University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(201811079090,Liang Y,S201911079103X,Luo J201911079016,Liu D,http://edu.sc.gov.cn).
文摘Mineral nutrient malnutrition,especially deficiency in selenium(Se),affects the health of approximately 1 billion people worldwide.Wheat,a staple food crop,plays an important role in producing Se-enriched foodstuffs to increase the Se intake of humans.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different Se application methods on grain yield and nutritional quality,grain Se absorption and accumulation,as well as 14 other trace elements concentrations in wheat grains.A sand culture experiment was conducted via a completely randomized 3×2×1 factorial scheme(three Se levels×two methods of Se application,foliar or soil×one Se sources,selenite),with two wheat cultivars(Guizi No.1,Chinese Spring).The results showed that both foliar Se and soil Se application methods had effects on wheat pollination.Foliar Se application resulted in early flowering of wheat,while soil Se application caused early flowering of wheat at low Se levels(5 mg kg^(−1))and delayed wheat flowering at high selenium levels(10 mg kg^(−1)),respectively.For trace elements,human essential trace elements(Fe,Zn,Mn,Cu,Cr,Mo,Co and Ni)concentrations in wheat grains were dependent of Se applica-tion methods and wheat cultivars.However,toxic trace elements(Cd,Pb,Hg,As,Li and Al)concentrations can be decreased by both methods,indicating a possible antagonistic effect.Moreover,both methods increased Se concentrations,and improved grain yield and nutritional quality,while the foliar application was better than soil.Accordingly,this study provided useful information concerning nutritional biofortification of wheat,indicating that it is feasible to apply Se to conduct Se biofortification,inhibit the heavy metal elements concentrations and improve yield and quality in crops,which caused human health benefits.
文摘Biofortification of commonly eaten staple food crops with essential mineral micronutrients is a potential sustainable solution to global micronutrient malnutrition. Because phytic acid (PA;1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis myo-inositol) reduces mineral micronutrient bioavailability, reduction of PA levels could increase the bioavailability of biofortified iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). PA is viewed as an anti-nutrient, yet PA and other inositol phosphates have also demonstrated positive health benefits. Phytic acid analysis in the agricultural, food, and nutritional sciences is typically carried out by colorimetry and chromatographic techniques. In addition, advanced techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy have also been used in phytic acid analysis. The colorimetric analysis may overestimate PA levels and synchrotron X-ray absorption techniques may not detect very low levels of inositol phosphates. This short communication discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each widely used phytic acid analysis method, and suggests high performance anion exchange (HPAE) chromatography with conductivity detection (CD) based analysis can achieve greater accuracy for the identification and quantification of inositol phosphates. Accurate characterization and quantification of PA and inositol phosphates will inform PA reduction and biofortification efforts, allowing retention of the benefits of non-phytic inositol phosphates for both plants and humans.
基金supported by FOMIXCHIHUAHUA(CHIH-2010-C01-148114).
文摘The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of iron biofortification on antioxidant response, yield and nutritional qualityof green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under greenhouse conditions. Fe was applied using two forms (FeSO4 and Fe-EDDHA) at four doses of application (0, 25, 50 and 100 μm) added under a hydroponic system, and were tested over a period of 40 days. The Fe content was assessed in seeds, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes, production of H2O2, yield and nutritional quality. The results being obtained indicated that the accumulation of Fe in bean seeds enhanced with the application of Fe-EDDHA at the dose of 25 μm. This demonstrated that low Fe application dose was enough to increase Fe levels in seeds of common bean. In addition, Fe-EDDHA application form at 50 μmol was the best treatment to improve crop yield. Respect to antioxidant system, chelated form of Fe (Fe-EDDHA) was more effective in the activation of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GSH-PX), and a lower content of H2O2 in green bean seeds. Finally, to raise the Fe concentration in bean under biofortification program was a promising strategy in cropping systems in order to increase the ingestion of iron and antioxidant capacity in the general population and provided the benefits that this element offered in human health.
基金the Institutefor Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University (IAR/ABU) Samaru, Nigeria, for the funding support provided for this study
文摘Yellow maize contains high levels of β-carotene(βC), making it an important crop for combating vitamin A deficiency through biofortification. In this study, nine maize inbred lines were selected at random from 31 provitamin A(PVA) maize inbred lines and crossed in a partial diallel mating design to develop 36 crosses. The crosses were evaluated in the field in two locations(Samaru and Kerawa) and their seed carotenoid content were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The modes of gene action, heritability, and correlations between agronomic traits and carotenoid content were estimated. Additive genetic variances(σ~2a) were lower than non-additive genetic variances(σ~2d) for all the carotenoids, plant height(PH), and grain yield(GY), suggesting a preponderance of non-additive gene action. Broad-sense heritability(H^2) was high(H^2> 60%) for zeaxanthin,days to anthesis, and PH, moderate(30% < H^2< 60%) for lutein and GY, and low(H^2< 30%)for alpha carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, βC, and PVA. Genetic advance as a percentage of mean, considered with H^2, also suggests a preponderance of non-additive gene action for PVA carotenoids. Hybrid variety development is thus an appropriate approach to improving grain yield and PVA. GY showed no significant genotypic correlations with carotenoid content, suggesting that these traits can be improved concurrently. Thus, there is ample scope for improvement of PVA and GY in the sample of tropical-adapted maize.
文摘The Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) Project explored advocacy and the use of advocates as a model strategy for scaling up biofortification in Nigeria during its three-year implementation. In addition to its direct advocacy efforts, the BNFB project identified and selected key personnel across disciplines, gender and sectors, based on some selected criteria, as Advocates to support the scaling up of biofortification by raise of investments, resource mobilization, the inclusion of biofortification in relevant policy documents, strategies and plans of action. To realize these, the selected 32 Advocates were empowered to mainstream biofortification into their existing and/or potential programs/projects, as well as create awareness and demand for biofortified crops within their spheres of influence. Training and retreats were organized for the Advocates to strengthen their capacities in advocacy and promotion of biofortification and biofortified crops, while a social platform was launched to share opportunities, experiences and address issues around biofortification within the Advocates. As a result of these efforts, biofortification was included in three key national policies, strategies/plans of actions with resource allocation, and investments, over USD3 million were raised for biofortification. The Federal Government of Nigeria and some external governments became committed to biofortification programs while biofortified crops were mainstreamed in at least two national programs in Nigeria. Biofortified crops were included in the Home-Grown School Feeding Program of two states. The use of Advocates proved to be a resultful strategy in the biofortification scaling up model of BNFB as the advocates, upon being trained, looked out within their sectors and disciplines to mainstream biofortification into their programs. They gave timely information on potential opportunities to follow up with in influencing favorable policies;they mobilized resources nationally, regionally and locally;they facilitated wider coverage of biofortification within a short time. However, the influence of the Advocates was limited to their number and locations;thus, for a quick win in Nigeria, there is a need to raise advocates in all the 36 states of the country while giving equal priority to national and state level advocacy. As a lesson, to engender adoption of biofortification, participation/leveraging on existing programs in advocacy works faster and easier than starting afresh in Nigeria.
文摘Malnutrition and associated health problems are partly related to minerals and vitamins deficiencies where anemia and stunting are the major diseases affecting nearly half of pregnant women and about 20% children under age of five, respectively in developing countries. Despite the significant progress made in recent decades, prevalence of stunting in Ethiopia remains high (44%, among children) that necessitate the country yet to make significant investment in nutrition and health. Strategies designed to overcome the problem range from micronutrient rich foods supplement to complementing foods with vegetables and fruits. However, such strategies are expensive as well as not sustainable to reach the poor households of developing countries. The persistence of the problem calls for agriculture based alternative solutions such as agronomic biofortification and micronutrients biofortification through plant breeding. Utilization of crop wild relatives, local landraces and old cultivars are proved to contain sufficient grain micronutrients and their utilization in breeding programs can solve the deficiency of micronutrients such as zinc and iron. Similarly, agronomic biofortification could improve grain Zn and Fe contents in several folds. Application methods and crop developmental stages during which fortification applied significantly determine the efficiency of fortification. Foliar application at heading and milking stages could accumulate very high Zn and Fe in cereal grains. The synergistic effect of genetic and agronomic fortification could also be utilized to produce Zn and Fe rich food crops. Hence, linking agriculture with nutrition and health could offer equitable, effective, sustainable and cheap solutions to micronutrients malnutrition and their deficiency related health problems.
基金supported by grants from the Israel Science Foundation(ISF grant no.1857/20).
文摘Methionine,an essential sulfur-containing amino acid,plays a vital role in animal and human nutrition.However,its levels are typically low in crop plants,thereby limiting their overall nutritional value.Methionine deficiency negatively impacts growth,development,and physiological functions,contributing to impaired conditions such as reduced immune response,reduced reproductive capacity,defective protein synthesis,bone disorders,hepatic steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis(Navik et al.,2021).To mitigate these effects,synthetic methionine is commonly supplemented in food and animal feed,particularly in Western countries.Dietary methionine enrichment has been shown to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation,support glucose homeostasis,and improve bone,kidney,and liver health(Navik et al.,2021).
基金supported by a startup fund from the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology.
文摘Hidden hunger,caused by chronic micronutrient deficiencies,affects billions of people worldwide and remains a critical public health issue despite progress in food production.Biofortification offers a promising solution by enhancing nutrient levels within plant tissues through traditional breeding or advanced biotechnologies.Recent advancements in plant synthetic biology have significantly improved biofortification strategies,enabling precise and targeted nutrient enrichment.This mini-review outlines five core strategies in synthetic biology-based biofortification:overexpression of endogenous biosynthetic genes,introduction of heterologous biosynthetic pathways,expression of nutrient-specific transporters,optimization of transcriptional regulation,and protein(directed)evolution.Vitamin B1 biofortification serves as a primary illustrative example due to its historical importance and ongoing relevance.Recent breakthroughs,particularly from Chinese research teams,are also highlighted.Together,these strategies offer transformative potential for addressing global nutritional challenges through precise,sustainable and innovative plant-based approaches.
文摘The deficiencies of micronutrients known as hidden hunger are severely affecting more than one-half of the world’s population,which is highly related to low bioavailability of micronutrients,poor quality diets,and consumption of cereal-based foods in developing countries.Although numerous experiments proved biofortification as a paramount approach for improving hidden hunger around the world,its effectiveness is highly related to various soil factors,climate conditions,and the adoption rates of biofortified crops.Furthermore,agronomic biofortification may result in the sedimentation of heavy metals in the soil that pose another detrimental effect on plants and human health.In response to these challenges,several studies suggested intercropping as one of the feasible,eco-friendly,low-cost,and short-term approaches for improving the nutritional quality and yield of crops sustainable way.Besides,it is the cornerstone of climate-smart agriculture and the holistic solution for the most vulnerable area to solve malnutrition that disturbs human healthy catastrophically.Nevertheless,there is meager information on mechanisms and processes related to soil-plant interspecific interactions that lead to an increment of nutrients bioavailability to tackle the crisis of micronutrient deficiency in a nature-based solution.In this regard,this review tempted to(1)explore mechanisms and processes that can favor the bioavailability of Zn,Fe,P,etc.in soil and edible parts of crops,(2)synthesize available information on the benefits and synergic role of the intercropping system in food and nutritional security,and(3)outline the bottlenecks influencing the effectiveness of biofortification for promoting sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA).Based on this review SSA countries are malnourished due to limited access to diverse diets,supplementation,and commercially fortified food;hence,I suggest integrated research by agronomists,plant nutritionists,and agroecologist to intensify and utilize intercropping systems as biofortification sustainably alleviating micronutrient deficiencies.
基金supported by the Central Public-Interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund,China(Grant No.CPSIBRF-CNRRI-202403)。
文摘Rice is a poor source of folate,an essential micronutrient for the body.Biofortification offers an effective way to enhance the folate content of rice and alleviate folate deficiencies in humans.In this study,we confirmed that OsADCS and OsGTPCHI,encoding the initial enzymes necessary for folate synthesis,positively regulate folate accumulation in knockout mutants of both japonica and indica rice backgrounds.The folate content in the low-folate japonica variety was slightly increased by the expression of the indica alleles driven by the endosperm-specific promoter.We further obtained co-expression lines by stacking OsADCS and OsGTPCHI genes;the folate accumulation in brown rice and polished rice reached 5.65μg/g and 2.95μg/g,respectively,representing 37.9-fold and 26.5-fold increases compared with the wild type.Transcriptomic analysis of rice grains from six transgenic lines showed that folate changes affected biological pathways involved in the synthesis and metabolism of rice seed storage substances,while the expression of other folate synthesis genes was weakly regulated.In addition,we identified Aus rice as a high-folate germplasm carrying superior haplotypes of OsADCS and OsGTPCHI through natural variation.This study provides an alternative and effective complementary strategy for rice biofortification,promoting the rational combination of metabolic engineering and conventional breeding to breed high-folate varieties.
基金supported by Youth Scientific Research Foundation of Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (QNJJ202208)the Collaborative Innovation Center of Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (KJCX20240408)+1 种基金Major Scientific and Technological Achievements Cultivation Project of Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesNational Natural Science Foundation of China (32201815)。
文摘One-third of the global population is affected by micronutrient deficiency, particularly folate. Although folate synthesis has been relatively well characterized, few folate-related genes in maize have been cloned, and the molecular mechanism regulating folate synthesis in maize remains unclear. In this study,transcriptome and proteome analyses of three waxy maize inbred lines with high, medium, and low folate contents were performed to identify key genes controlling folate biosynthesis. Pairwise comparisons revealed 21 differentially expressed genes and 20 differentially expressed proteins potentially associated with folate biosynthesis in the three lines. Six key folate-associated genes, Zm Mocos2, Zm GGH,Zm ADCL2, Zm CBR1, Zm SHMT, and Zm Pur H, were identified. These genes encode enzymes that potentially function in folate biosynthesis. Functional validation of one of these genes, Zm ADCL2, using an EMS mutant(Mut9264) showed that a 4-base insertion in an exon increased the folate content of fresh maize kernels 1.37-fold that of the wild type. Zm ADCL2 was considered a potential target for generating maize lines with higher folate content. KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes and proteins showed that several pathways in addition to folate biosynthesis were likely indirectly involved in folate metabolism and content(e.g., glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism;purine metabolism;cysteine and methionine metabolism;alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism;glutathione metabolism;and pyruvate metabolism. The transcriptome and proteomic data generated in this study will help to clarify the mechanisms underlying folate accumulation and aid breeding efforts to biofortify maize with folate.
基金supported by the Bio&Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation(NRF)funded by the Korean government(MSIT)(Grant No.RS-2024-00440478)to Sun-Hwa HAthe NRF by MSIT(Grant Nos.RS-2024-00347806 and RS-2024-00407469)to Sun-Hwa HAthe New Plant Breed Technology Program funded by the Rural Development Administration,Republic of Korea(Grant No.RS-2024-00322447)to Sun-Hwa HA.
文摘To improve the nutritional and functional value of rice,numerous biotechnological approaches have focused on metabolic engineering to address nutritional deficiencies and produce health-beneficial compounds that are either absent or naturally present in low amounts.A prominent example is‘Golden Rice’,which has been genetically modified to accumulateβ-carotene to combat vitamin A deficiency in regions with limited dietary intake.Scientists have been continuously biofortifying rice with various specialized metabolites,including terpenoids,flavonoids,non-flavonoid polyphenols,betalains,vitamins,and amino acids.This review explores the specific pathways and genetic modifications utilized by researchers to enhance the accumulation of targeted metabolites in rice.It comprehensively summarizes key strategies and research trends in rice metabolic engineering,demonstrating how rice can be transformed into a strategic crop for producing industrially valuable compounds beyond its traditional role as a staple food by leveraging its advantages as a versatile host system through its grains,leaves,and cells.Furthermore,we highlight the potential of intergrating metabolic engineering with synthetic biology and big data-driven computational modeling,particularly through artificial intelligence and machine learning,as promising future research directions.
基金funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2022 research and innovation program under the Marie SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE Individual Fellowship(Grant No.101105237).
文摘Rice(Oryza sativa L.)farmers face challenges with metal accumulation in grain,with nickel(Ni)recently emerging as a concern due to its potential to exceed legal limits,alongside cadmium(Cd).Information on Ni behaviour and its interaction with Cd remains limited.Selenium(Se)is commonly used for rice biofortification and can reduce the accumulation of toxic metals in plants.Therefore,this study investigates how Ni and Cd influence mutual accumulation in rice and examines the impact of different Se forms on their interactions.Plants were grown hydroponically with various combinations of Cd(5 or 20μmol/L),Ni(20μmol/L),and Se(5μmol/L)as selenate(Se^(6+))or selenite(Se^(4+))for 7 d.Plant growth,lipid peroxidation,and element accumulation were measured,and the distribution of Se and Ni in tissues was assayed using synchrotron-basedμXRF 2D imaging.Cd and Ni were toxic to rice,reducing leaf and root biomass by 40%‒50%and inducing oxidative stress.However,their combined presence did not further exacerbate leaf growth reduction.Cd reduced root Ni accumulation by approximately 50%at equimolar concentrations,likely due to competitive inhibition at shared transport sites.Se promoted root growth in the presence of Ni and low Cd,suggesting an antioxidant role in mitigating metal-induced stress.However,high doses of Ni and Cd together significantly reduced Se accumulation(by 60%and 77%for Se^(4+)in roots and Se^(6+)in leaves,respectively)and caused severe oxidative stress in the presence of Se^(4+).The effectiveness of Se biofortification varied depending on the Se form:Se^(6+)was more effective at reducing Ni accumulation,while Se^(4+)effectively reduced Cd accumulation(by 45%‒75%)at low concentrations and Ni accumulation in the absence of Cd(by 50%).In conclusion,this study demonstrates that Se can mitigate Cd and Ni accumulation in rice.However,the co-presence of Cd and Ni may compromise Se enrichment in rice,highlighting the complexity of their interactions.
文摘Insufficient dietary intake of micronutHents, known as ＂hidden hunger＂, is a devastating global burden, affecting two billion people. Deficiency of folates （vitamin B9）, which are known to play a central role in Cl metabolism, causes birth defects in at least a quarter million people annually. Biofortification to enhance the level of naturally occurring folates in crop plants, proves to be an efficient and cost-effective tool in fighting folate deficiency. Previously, introduction of folate biosynthesis genes GTPCHI andADCS, proven to be a successful biofortification strategy in rice and tomato, turned out to be insufficient to adequately increase folate levels in potato tubers. Here, we provide a proof of concept that additional introduction of HPPK/DHPS and/or FPGS, downstream genes in mitochonddal folate biosynthesis, enables augmenta- tion of folates to satisfactory levels （12-fold） and ensures folate stability upon long-term storage of tubers. In conclusion, this engineering strategy can serve as a model in the creation of folate-accumulating potato cultivars, readily applicable in potato-consuming populations suffedng from folate deficiency.
文摘Zinc plays many essential roles in life.As a strong Lewis acid that lacks redox activity under environ-mental and cellular conditions,the Zn2+cation is central in determining protein structure and catalytic function of nearly 10%of most eukaryotic proteomes.While specific functions of zinc have been elucidated at a molecular level in a number of plant proteins,wider issues abound with respect to the acquisition and distribution of zinc by plants.An important challenge is to understand how plants balance between Zn supply in soil and their own nutritional requirement for zinc,particularly where edaphic factors lead to a lack of bioavailable zinc or,conversely,an excess of zinc that bears a major risk of phyto-toxicity.Plants are the ultimate source of zinc in the human diet,and human Zn deficiency accounts for over 400000 deaths annually.Here,we review the current understanding of zinc homeostasis in plants from the molecular and physiological perspectives.We provide an overview of approaches pursued so far in Zn biofortification of crops.Finally,we outline a"push-pull"model of zinc nutrition in plants as a simplifying concept.In summary,this review discusses avenues that can potentially deliver wider bene-fits for both plant and human Zn nutrition.
