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
Micronutrient deficiency is a significant global issue that results in diets lacking adequate vitamins and minerals.Low nutrient levels are primarily attributed to crops cultivated in soils with insufficient nutrient ...Micronutrient deficiency is a significant global issue that results in diets lacking adequate vitamins and minerals.Low nutrient levels are primarily attributed to crops cultivated in soils with insufficient nutrient concentration and availability,compounded by abiotic stress that adversely affects proper plant growth and development.The introduction of alternative crops through nanotechnology has emerged as a widely adopted strategy for enhancing sustainable crop production.This approach harnesses various nanoparticles,minimizing the environmental impact associated with traditional chemical fertilizers.Ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm,these nanoparticles exhibit diverse morphologies,enabling easy internalization into plants via stomata and roots.Once absorbed,they are transported to the xylem and undergo numerous physiological and metabolic processes.Consequently,employing nanoparticles as nanofertilizers,applicable through foliar or root methods,and pregermination treatments for seeds,represents a promising solution for crop biofortification and,ultimately,addressing global malnutrition concerns.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
Selenium(Se)deficiency is a global health problem affecting more than 500 million people;crop biofortification is a sustainable strategy for its mitigation.This study investigated the effect of the application of sele...Selenium(Se)deficiency is a global health problem affecting more than 500 million people;crop biofortification is a sustainable strategy for its mitigation.This study investigated the effect of the application of selenate nanoparticles(SeO_(4)^(2−))and the combination of selenate(SeO_(4)^(2−))and chitosan(CS)(forming a SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS complex)on the antioxidant profile,growth,biomass,bioactive compounds,enzymes,and Se accumulation of wheat(Triticum spp.)sprouts.Fourteen treatments were applied using a factorial design combining seven concentrations and two formulations:SeO_(4)^(2−)and SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS.It was identified that chitosan increased Se uptake efficiency by 30%versus conventional selenate.The optimal dose for biomass was 0.15 mg L^(−1) of SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS(+40%vs.control),while 0.25 mg L^(−1) maximized bioactive compounds(phenolics(25%)and flavonoids(21%))as well as antioxidant capacity(26%)and enzymatic activity(SOD:37%;POD:41%).In addition,CS reduced Se phytotoxicity at doses≥1.50 mg L^(−1),evidencing its dual role as a delivery vehicle and cell protector.These findings demonstrate that the SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS hybrid system is a technologically viable and efficient alternative to traditional selenate for the production of biofortified sprouts.This strategy shows high potential for scaling up in the functional food industry and for application in agricultural regions with selenium-deficient soils.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
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
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
Despite their remarkable content of biologically active compounds,highly valuable for human health,wild relatives of Umbelliferous plants show limited utilization.The aim of the present work was the evaluation of the ...Despite their remarkable content of biologically active compounds,highly valuable for human health,wild relatives of Umbelliferous plants show limited utilization.The aim of the present work was the evaluation of the antioxidant status of Anthriscus,Chaerophyllum,and Myrrhoides species gathered in different climatic zones(from Mediterranean to Arctic)and of their suitability to produce valuable functional food for optimizing the human Se status.Among the Crimean plants,A.sylvestris,C.bulbosis,and M.nososa showed the highest antioxidant status,while the lowest was recorded in A.cerefolium and A.caucalis,displaying a significant correlation between the antioxidant activity(AOA)and polyphenols(TP)(r=0.93;p<0.001).A positive correlation between the longitude and AOA,and TP was detected for A.sylvestris(r=0.95 and r=0.93,respectively;p<0.001).The high adaptability and wide geographical distribution of the latter species,as well as its significant content in natural antioxidants,make it an interesting product for Se biofortification.Foliar supplementation of sodium selenate allowed to obtain a new functional food with high TP content(36.4 mg GAE g^(−1) d.w.),ascorbic acid(42 mg 100 g^(−1) f.w.),and AOA(72 mg GAE g^(−1) d.w.).Moreover,Se level exceeded 3 mg kg^(−1) d.w.,which suggests the plant suitability for the human Se status optimization,especially in Se-deficient Arctic zone,particularly referring to Nikel settlement with relatively low levels of Se in human hair(377±13μg kg^(−1)),bread(58±3μg kg^(−1)),and freshwater fish(359±22μg kg^(−1)).The high antioxidant status of Myrrhoides nodosa indicates the need for detailed investigation of plant biochemistry and the identification of its utilization prospects.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
Malnutrition is one of the prevailing health problems worldwide, affecting a large proportion of the populations in rice-consuming countries. Breeding rice varieties with increased concentrations of elements in the gr...Malnutrition is one of the prevailing health problems worldwide, affecting a large proportion of the populations in rice-consuming countries. Breeding rice varieties with increased concentrations of elements in the grain is considered the most cost-effective approach to alleviate malnutrition. Development of molecular markers for high grain concentrations of essential elements, particularly Zn, for use in marker-assisted selection (MAS) can hasten breeding efforts to develop rice varieties with nutrient-dense grain. We performed QTL mapping for four agronomic traits: days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of tillers, grain yield, and 13 grain elements: As, B, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, and Zn, in two doubled-haploid populations derived from the crosses IR64 × IR69428 and BR29 × IR75862. These populations were phenotyped during 2015DS and 2015WS at IRRI, Los Ba os, The Philippines, and genotyped them with a 6 K SNP chip. Inclusive composite interval mapping revealed 15 QTL for agronomic traits and 50 QTL for grain element concentration. Of these, eight QTL showed phenotypic variance of >25% and 11 QTL were consistent across seasons. There were seven QTL co-localization regions containing QTL for more than two traits. Twenty five epistatic interactions were detected for two agronomic traits and seven mineral elements. Several DH lines with high Fe and Zn in polished rice were identified. These lines can be used as donors for breeding high-Zn rice varieties. Some of the major QTL can be further validated and used in MAS to improve the concentrations of nutritive elements in rice grain.展开更多
A research work was conducted to investigate the variations in concentration and distribution of health-related elements affected by environmental and genotypic differences in rice grains. The grain of Xieqingzao B （...A research work was conducted to investigate the variations in concentration and distribution of health-related elements affected by environmental and genotypic differences in rice grains. The grain of Xieqingzao B （indica rice variety） and Xiushui 110 （japonica rice variety） were divided into： hull, bran and milled rice, based on the conventional rice consumption and process. Xieqingzao B was grown at four different locations, and at one location, it was planted in the same field and season as Xiushui 110. In addition, another four indica and four japonica varieties were cultivated in the same field and time to analyze the elements in milled rice. The average concentrations of total P and phytic acid P were the highest in the bran, followed by milled rice and hull; Zn, K, Mg, and As concentrations were the highest in bran, followed by hull and milled rice, while Fe, Ca, and Cu concentrations were the highest in the hull, but similar in bran and milled rice. The result indicated that genotype and environment significantly affected the concentrations of all the tested elements, while the distribution of the above elements in grains was not in the same order as concentration. Moreover, all the elements except 97,7% of Cu and 93.2% of Fe was deposited in the hull on average, were mostly distributed either in the bran （37.3% and 57.7% for K and phytic acid P） or in milled rice （41.7%, 42.6%, 40.3%, 49.8% for Zn, Mg, As, total P, respectively）.展开更多
Identification of quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for grain mineral elements can assist in faster and more precise development of micronutrient dense rice varieties through marker-assisted breeding. In the present st...Identification of quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for grain mineral elements can assist in faster and more precise development of micronutrient dense rice varieties through marker-assisted breeding. In the present study, QTLs were mapped for Fe and Zn concentrations in two BC2F3 mapping populations derived from the crosses of O. sativa cv Swarna with two different accessions of O. nivara. In all, 10 and 8 QTLs were identified for grain Fe and Zn concentrations in population 1, and 7 and 5 QTLs were identified in population 2, respectively. Eighty percent of the QTLs detected in both populations were derived from O. nivara. Five QTLs for Fe and three QTLs for Zn explained more than 15% phenotypic variance either in interval or composite interval mapping. The locations of O. nivara derived QTLs such as qFe2.1, qFe3.1, qFe8.2 and qZn12.1 were consistently identified in both the populations. Epistatic interaction was observed only between RM106 and RM6 on chromosome 2 and between RM22 and RM7 on chromosome 3 for Fe concentration in population 1. Sixteen candidate genes for metal homeostasis were found to co-locate with 10 QTLs for Fe and Zn concentrations in both the populations. Most of the Fe and Zn QTLs were found to co-locate with QTLs for grain yield and grain quality traits. Some of the major effect QTLs identified can be used to improve rice grain Fe and Zn concentrations.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
Abstract Objective To compare iron bioavailability （Fe BV） from ten selected kinds of Chinese wheat flours in order to provide scientific basis for further human trials and enable plant breeding programs to screen b...Abstract Objective To compare iron bioavailability （Fe BV） from ten selected kinds of Chinese wheat flours in order to provide scientific basis for further human trials and enable plant breeding programs to screen biofortified wheat cultivars. Methods An in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model was used to assess Fe BV of ten flour samples from six leading Chinese wheat cultivars and the stability of Fe BV in one cultivar was studied across three growing environments. Results Significant differences were observed in both Fe BV and Fe bioavailability per gram of food （Fe BVPG） among cultivars （P〈0.01） grown at the same location with the same flour extraction rate. Zhongyou 9507 and Jingdong 8 had Fe BV 37%-54% and Fe BVP（3 103%-154% higher than the reference control. In the Anyang environment, Zhongyou 9507 had a higher wheat flour-Fe level and Fe BVPG. Differences in Fe BV were detected in cultivars with different flour extraction rates. Conclusion Zhongyou 9507 and Jingdong 8 were identified as the most promising cultivars for further evaluation of efficacy by using human subjects. The growing environments had no effect on Fe BV, but did have a significant effect on Fe BVPG. Fe bioavailabilities in low-extraction （40%） flours were higher than those in high-extraction （78%） flours.展开更多
Deficiency of vitamin-E or tocopherol causes neurological and cardiovascular disorders in humans. Though maize kernel is rich in total tocopherol, the level of α-tocopherol possessing the highest vitamin-E activity i...Deficiency of vitamin-E or tocopherol causes neurological and cardiovascular disorders in humans. Though maize kernel is rich in total tocopherol, the level of α-tocopherol possessing the highest vitamin-E activity is low. Mutant allele of ZmVTE4 with deletion of 7 bp and 118 bp (0/0: most favorable haplotype) in 5′UTR and promoter region, respectively significantly enhances α-tocopherol in maize kernel than wild type haplotype (7/118).α- tocopherol estimation in 15 diverse inbreds revealed that mean α-/γ-tocopherol and α-/ total-tocopherol was much higher in genotypes with favorable haplotype (1.51 and 0.41) than unfavorable class (0.19 and 0.13), respectively. However even within favorable class,α- tocopherol ranged from 4.76 to 30.07 μg g 1. Sequence analysis of part of 5′UTR and promoter of ZmVTE4 among the genotypes with favorable haplotype revealed 14 SNPs (SNP1 to SNP14) and eight InDels (InDel1 to InDel8). SNP7 at 606 bp (G to A), and InDels viz., InDel1 (27 bp), InDel4 (27 bp) and InDel8 (14 bp) differentiated low and high α-tocopherol accumulating inbreds with favorable haplotype. Hence the newly identified SNP and InDels in addition to the already reported InDels can be useful in selection of favorable genotypes with higher α-tocopherol in maize.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
Mineral malnutrition affects billions of people all over the world and biofortification of staple crops provides a potential way to alleviate dietary mineral deficiencies.For example,nutritional quality is an importan...Mineral malnutrition affects billions of people all over the world and biofortification of staple crops provides a potential way to alleviate dietary mineral deficiencies.For example,nutritional quality is an important breeding target for fresh waxy maize(Zea mays L.),which is widely consumed in Asian countries.Successful improvement of mineral composition will require comprehensive profiling of the mineral composition of maize varieties and an understanding of the capacity for maize grains to accumulate minerals.Here,using inductively coupled plasma absorption emission spectrometry,we quantified 12 minerals from the seeds of 47 maize varieties,including 25 Korean landraces.We also compared the mineral contents in varieties with different seed starch profiles:waxy maize(which contains 100%amylopectin),dent maize(roughly 75%amylopectin and 25%amylose),and flint maize(similar to dent maize).The amounts of potassium,phosphorus,and sulfur were correlated with seed texture,waxy maize having higher amounts of phosphorus and potassium than dent maize and lower amounts of sulfur than flint maize or dent maize.In addition,a positive relationship was detected between the amount of phosphorus and that of potassium,magnesium,and manganese.These results provide information on maize seed mineral composition and indicate that it could be affected by starch composition.Furthermore,the landraces that exhibit high mineral contents could be used as germplasm materials for breeding programs aimed at producing biofortified maize cultivars.展开更多
Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crops widely grown for food, feed, fodder/forage, and fuel in the semi-arid tropics of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia. The global sorghum areas remained static as ...Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crops widely grown for food, feed, fodder/forage, and fuel in the semi-arid tropics of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia. The global sorghum areas remained static as the increased area in Africa compensated the area loss in Asia. In spite of rapid decline in sorghum area in Asia due to competition from other remunerative crops, sorghum grain production levels have not declined at the same rate owing to adoption of high yielding hybrids. Though impressive gains have been made in improving productivity levels, biotic and abiotic challenges such as shoot fly, stem borer, grain molds, and terminal drought stress continue to haunt the sorghum growers across the world. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the respec-tive national programs are working on genetic enhancement of sorghum for high yield;shoot fly, and grain mold resis-tance, and sweet stalk traits. In addition, research focus at ICRISAT also includes adaptation to postrainy season, ter-minal drought tolerance, and increasing micronutrient contents (Fe and Zn) in grain. Genetic and cytoplasmic diversi-fication of hybrid parents and varieties for key traits are critical for sustaining the productivity gains. The grain and stover quality requirements of different market segments needs special attention in sorghum improvement research to enhance its market value. This paper analyses the progress made in sorghum improvement research at ICRISAT in partnership with national programs in recent years and the way forward.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
Toxic arsenic(As)and trace element selenium(Se)are transformed by microorganisms but their complex interactions in soil-plant systems have not been fully understood.An Asand Se-oxidizing bacterium,Agrobacterium sp.T3F...Toxic arsenic(As)and trace element selenium(Se)are transformed by microorganisms but their complex interactions in soil-plant systems have not been fully understood.An Asand Se-oxidizing bacterium,Agrobacterium sp.T3F4,was applied to a native seleniferous As-polluted soil to investigate As/Se uptake by the vegetable Brassica rapa L.and As-Se interaction as mediated by strain T3F4.The Se content in the aboveground plants was significantly enhanced by 34.1%,but the As content was significantly decreased by 20.5% in the T3F4-inoculated pot culture compared to the control(P<0.05).Similar result was shown in treatment with additional 5 mg/kg of Se(IV)in soil.In addition,the As contents in roots were significantly decreased by more than 35% under T3F4 or Se(IV)treatments(P<0.05).Analysis of As-Se-bacterium interaction in a soil simulation experiment showed that the bioavailability of Se significantly increased and As was immobilized with the addition of the T3F4strain(P<0.05).Furthermore,an As/Se co-exposure hydroponic experiment demonstrated that As uptake and accumulation in plants was reduced by increasing Se(IV)concentrations.The 50% growth inhibition concentration(IC50)values for As in plants were increased about one-fold and two-fold under co-exposure with 5 and 10μmol/L Se(IV),respectively.In conclusion,strain T3F4 improves Se uptake but decreases As uptake by plants via oxidation of As and Se,resulting in decrease of soil As bioavailability and As/Se competitive absorption by plants.This provides a potential bioremediation strategy for Se biofortification and As immobilization in As-polluted soil.展开更多
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Consejo Nacional de Humanidades,Ciencias y Tecnologías(CONAHCYT)for the postdoctoral project 6487852the Universidad Autónoma Antonio Narro,Departamento de Fitomejoramiento for the institutional project with Key 38111-425105001-2295.
文摘Micronutrient deficiency is a significant global issue that results in diets lacking adequate vitamins and minerals.Low nutrient levels are primarily attributed to crops cultivated in soils with insufficient nutrient concentration and availability,compounded by abiotic stress that adversely affects proper plant growth and development.The introduction of alternative crops through nanotechnology has emerged as a widely adopted strategy for enhancing sustainable crop production.This approach harnesses various nanoparticles,minimizing the environmental impact associated with traditional chemical fertilizers.Ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm,these nanoparticles exhibit diverse morphologies,enabling easy internalization into plants via stomata and roots.Once absorbed,they are transported to the xylem and undergo numerous physiological and metabolic processes.Consequently,employing nanoparticles as nanofertilizers,applicable through foliar or root methods,and pregermination treatments for seeds,represents a promising solution for crop biofortification and,ultimately,addressing global malnutrition concerns.
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.
文摘Selenium(Se)deficiency is a global health problem affecting more than 500 million people;crop biofortification is a sustainable strategy for its mitigation.This study investigated the effect of the application of selenate nanoparticles(SeO_(4)^(2−))and the combination of selenate(SeO_(4)^(2−))and chitosan(CS)(forming a SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS complex)on the antioxidant profile,growth,biomass,bioactive compounds,enzymes,and Se accumulation of wheat(Triticum spp.)sprouts.Fourteen treatments were applied using a factorial design combining seven concentrations and two formulations:SeO_(4)^(2−)and SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS.It was identified that chitosan increased Se uptake efficiency by 30%versus conventional selenate.The optimal dose for biomass was 0.15 mg L^(−1) of SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS(+40%vs.control),while 0.25 mg L^(−1) maximized bioactive compounds(phenolics(25%)and flavonoids(21%))as well as antioxidant capacity(26%)and enzymatic activity(SOD:37%;POD:41%).In addition,CS reduced Se phytotoxicity at doses≥1.50 mg L^(−1),evidencing its dual role as a delivery vehicle and cell protector.These findings demonstrate that the SeO_(4)^(2−)-CS hybrid system is a technologically viable and efficient alternative to traditional selenate for the production of biofortified sprouts.This strategy shows high potential for scaling up in the functional food industry and for application in agricultural regions with selenium-deficient soils.
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.
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.
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The work was achieved according to the agreements between Federal Scientific Vegetable Center,Nikitsky Botanic Garden,and Karadag Nature Reserve,and state budget scientific theme numbers:FNNS-2025-0006,and 124030100098-0.
文摘Despite their remarkable content of biologically active compounds,highly valuable for human health,wild relatives of Umbelliferous plants show limited utilization.The aim of the present work was the evaluation of the antioxidant status of Anthriscus,Chaerophyllum,and Myrrhoides species gathered in different climatic zones(from Mediterranean to Arctic)and of their suitability to produce valuable functional food for optimizing the human Se status.Among the Crimean plants,A.sylvestris,C.bulbosis,and M.nososa showed the highest antioxidant status,while the lowest was recorded in A.cerefolium and A.caucalis,displaying a significant correlation between the antioxidant activity(AOA)and polyphenols(TP)(r=0.93;p<0.001).A positive correlation between the longitude and AOA,and TP was detected for A.sylvestris(r=0.95 and r=0.93,respectively;p<0.001).The high adaptability and wide geographical distribution of the latter species,as well as its significant content in natural antioxidants,make it an interesting product for Se biofortification.Foliar supplementation of sodium selenate allowed to obtain a new functional food with high TP content(36.4 mg GAE g^(−1) d.w.),ascorbic acid(42 mg 100 g^(−1) f.w.),and AOA(72 mg GAE g^(−1) d.w.).Moreover,Se level exceeded 3 mg kg^(−1) d.w.,which suggests the plant suitability for the human Se status optimization,especially in Se-deficient Arctic zone,particularly referring to Nikel settlement with relatively low levels of Se in human hair(377±13μg kg^(−1)),bread(58±3μg kg^(−1)),and freshwater fish(359±22μg kg^(−1)).The high antioxidant status of Myrrhoides nodosa indicates the need for detailed investigation of plant biochemistry and the identification of its utilization prospects.
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HarvestPlus for funding development of high Zinc rice
文摘Malnutrition is one of the prevailing health problems worldwide, affecting a large proportion of the populations in rice-consuming countries. Breeding rice varieties with increased concentrations of elements in the grain is considered the most cost-effective approach to alleviate malnutrition. Development of molecular markers for high grain concentrations of essential elements, particularly Zn, for use in marker-assisted selection (MAS) can hasten breeding efforts to develop rice varieties with nutrient-dense grain. We performed QTL mapping for four agronomic traits: days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of tillers, grain yield, and 13 grain elements: As, B, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, and Zn, in two doubled-haploid populations derived from the crosses IR64 × IR69428 and BR29 × IR75862. These populations were phenotyped during 2015DS and 2015WS at IRRI, Los Ba os, The Philippines, and genotyped them with a 6 K SNP chip. Inclusive composite interval mapping revealed 15 QTL for agronomic traits and 50 QTL for grain element concentration. Of these, eight QTL showed phenotypic variance of >25% and 11 QTL were consistent across seasons. There were seven QTL co-localization regions containing QTL for more than two traits. Twenty five epistatic interactions were detected for two agronomic traits and seven mineral elements. Several DH lines with high Fe and Zn in polished rice were identified. These lines can be used as donors for breeding high-Zn rice varieties. Some of the major QTL can be further validated and used in MAS to improve the concentrations of nutritive elements in rice grain.
文摘A research work was conducted to investigate the variations in concentration and distribution of health-related elements affected by environmental and genotypic differences in rice grains. The grain of Xieqingzao B （indica rice variety） and Xiushui 110 （japonica rice variety） were divided into： hull, bran and milled rice, based on the conventional rice consumption and process. Xieqingzao B was grown at four different locations, and at one location, it was planted in the same field and season as Xiushui 110. In addition, another four indica and four japonica varieties were cultivated in the same field and time to analyze the elements in milled rice. The average concentrations of total P and phytic acid P were the highest in the bran, followed by milled rice and hull; Zn, K, Mg, and As concentrations were the highest in bran, followed by hull and milled rice, while Fe, Ca, and Cu concentrations were the highest in the hull, but similar in bran and milled rice. The result indicated that genotype and environment significantly affected the concentrations of all the tested elements, while the distribution of the above elements in grains was not in the same order as concentration. Moreover, all the elements except 97,7% of Cu and 93.2% of Fe was deposited in the hull on average, were mostly distributed either in the bran （37.3% and 57.7% for K and phytic acid P） or in milled rice （41.7%, 42.6%, 40.3%, 49.8% for Zn, Mg, As, total P, respectively）.
基金financially supported by Network Project on Transgenics and Functional Genomics of Crops-Project 3019 of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research,India(NPTC/FG/05/2672/33)
文摘Identification of quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for grain mineral elements can assist in faster and more precise development of micronutrient dense rice varieties through marker-assisted breeding. In the present study, QTLs were mapped for Fe and Zn concentrations in two BC2F3 mapping populations derived from the crosses of O. sativa cv Swarna with two different accessions of O. nivara. In all, 10 and 8 QTLs were identified for grain Fe and Zn concentrations in population 1, and 7 and 5 QTLs were identified in population 2, respectively. Eighty percent of the QTLs detected in both populations were derived from O. nivara. Five QTLs for Fe and three QTLs for Zn explained more than 15% phenotypic variance either in interval or composite interval mapping. The locations of O. nivara derived QTLs such as qFe2.1, qFe3.1, qFe8.2 and qZn12.1 were consistently identified in both the populations. Epistatic interaction was observed only between RM106 and RM6 on chromosome 2 and between RM22 and RM7 on chromosome 3 for Fe concentration in population 1. Sixteen candidate genes for metal homeostasis were found to co-locate with 10 QTLs for Fe and Zn concentrations in both the populations. Most of the Fe and Zn QTLs were found to co-locate with QTLs for grain yield and grain quality traits. Some of the major effect QTLs identified can be used to improve rice grain Fe and Zn concentrations.
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funded by the HarvestPlus China(#8231)Xihua University programs(R0910507)the Key Laboratory of Food Biotechnology,Xihua University
文摘Abstract Objective To compare iron bioavailability （Fe BV） from ten selected kinds of Chinese wheat flours in order to provide scientific basis for further human trials and enable plant breeding programs to screen biofortified wheat cultivars. Methods An in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model was used to assess Fe BV of ten flour samples from six leading Chinese wheat cultivars and the stability of Fe BV in one cultivar was studied across three growing environments. Results Significant differences were observed in both Fe BV and Fe bioavailability per gram of food （Fe BVPG） among cultivars （P〈0.01） grown at the same location with the same flour extraction rate. Zhongyou 9507 and Jingdong 8 had Fe BV 37%-54% and Fe BVP（3 103%-154% higher than the reference control. In the Anyang environment, Zhongyou 9507 had a higher wheat flour-Fe level and Fe BVPG. Differences in Fe BV were detected in cultivars with different flour extraction rates. Conclusion Zhongyou 9507 and Jingdong 8 were identified as the most promising cultivars for further evaluation of efficacy by using human subjects. The growing environments had no effect on Fe BV, but did have a significant effect on Fe BVPG. Fe bioavailabilities in low-extraction （40%） flours were higher than those in high-extraction （78%） flours.
基金Financial support from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute,New Delhi,India conducting the study is duly acknowledged.
文摘Deficiency of vitamin-E or tocopherol causes neurological and cardiovascular disorders in humans. Though maize kernel is rich in total tocopherol, the level of α-tocopherol possessing the highest vitamin-E activity is low. Mutant allele of ZmVTE4 with deletion of 7 bp and 118 bp (0/0: most favorable haplotype) in 5′UTR and promoter region, respectively significantly enhances α-tocopherol in maize kernel than wild type haplotype (7/118).α- tocopherol estimation in 15 diverse inbreds revealed that mean α-/γ-tocopherol and α-/ total-tocopherol was much higher in genotypes with favorable haplotype (1.51 and 0.41) than unfavorable class (0.19 and 0.13), respectively. However even within favorable class,α- tocopherol ranged from 4.76 to 30.07 μg g 1. Sequence analysis of part of 5′UTR and promoter of ZmVTE4 among the genotypes with favorable haplotype revealed 14 SNPs (SNP1 to SNP14) and eight InDels (InDel1 to InDel8). SNP7 at 606 bp (G to A), and InDels viz., InDel1 (27 bp), InDel4 (27 bp) and InDel8 (14 bp) differentiated low and high α-tocopherol accumulating inbreds with favorable haplotype. Hence the newly identified SNP and InDels in addition to the already reported InDels can be useful in selection of favorable genotypes with higher α-tocopherol in maize.
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.
基金support of the Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (PJ01280001) from the Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea
文摘Mineral malnutrition affects billions of people all over the world and biofortification of staple crops provides a potential way to alleviate dietary mineral deficiencies.For example,nutritional quality is an important breeding target for fresh waxy maize(Zea mays L.),which is widely consumed in Asian countries.Successful improvement of mineral composition will require comprehensive profiling of the mineral composition of maize varieties and an understanding of the capacity for maize grains to accumulate minerals.Here,using inductively coupled plasma absorption emission spectrometry,we quantified 12 minerals from the seeds of 47 maize varieties,including 25 Korean landraces.We also compared the mineral contents in varieties with different seed starch profiles:waxy maize(which contains 100%amylopectin),dent maize(roughly 75%amylopectin and 25%amylose),and flint maize(similar to dent maize).The amounts of potassium,phosphorus,and sulfur were correlated with seed texture,waxy maize having higher amounts of phosphorus and potassium than dent maize and lower amounts of sulfur than flint maize or dent maize.In addition,a positive relationship was detected between the amount of phosphorus and that of potassium,magnesium,and manganese.These results provide information on maize seed mineral composition and indicate that it could be affected by starch composition.Furthermore,the landraces that exhibit high mineral contents could be used as germplasm materials for breeding programs aimed at producing biofortified maize cultivars.
文摘Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crops widely grown for food, feed, fodder/forage, and fuel in the semi-arid tropics of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia. The global sorghum areas remained static as the increased area in Africa compensated the area loss in Asia. In spite of rapid decline in sorghum area in Asia due to competition from other remunerative crops, sorghum grain production levels have not declined at the same rate owing to adoption of high yielding hybrids. Though impressive gains have been made in improving productivity levels, biotic and abiotic challenges such as shoot fly, stem borer, grain molds, and terminal drought stress continue to haunt the sorghum growers across the world. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the respec-tive national programs are working on genetic enhancement of sorghum for high yield;shoot fly, and grain mold resis-tance, and sweet stalk traits. In addition, research focus at ICRISAT also includes adaptation to postrainy season, ter-minal drought tolerance, and increasing micronutrient contents (Fe and Zn) in grain. Genetic and cytoplasmic diversi-fication of hybrid parents and varieties for key traits are critical for sustaining the productivity gains. The grain and stover quality requirements of different market segments needs special attention in sorghum improvement research to enhance its market value. This paper analyses the progress made in sorghum improvement research at ICRISAT in partnership with national programs in recent years and the way forward.
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 the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41771283)"Longyun Program"of the College of Life Science and Technology of Huazhong Agricultural University。
文摘Toxic arsenic(As)and trace element selenium(Se)are transformed by microorganisms but their complex interactions in soil-plant systems have not been fully understood.An Asand Se-oxidizing bacterium,Agrobacterium sp.T3F4,was applied to a native seleniferous As-polluted soil to investigate As/Se uptake by the vegetable Brassica rapa L.and As-Se interaction as mediated by strain T3F4.The Se content in the aboveground plants was significantly enhanced by 34.1%,but the As content was significantly decreased by 20.5% in the T3F4-inoculated pot culture compared to the control(P<0.05).Similar result was shown in treatment with additional 5 mg/kg of Se(IV)in soil.In addition,the As contents in roots were significantly decreased by more than 35% under T3F4 or Se(IV)treatments(P<0.05).Analysis of As-Se-bacterium interaction in a soil simulation experiment showed that the bioavailability of Se significantly increased and As was immobilized with the addition of the T3F4strain(P<0.05).Furthermore,an As/Se co-exposure hydroponic experiment demonstrated that As uptake and accumulation in plants was reduced by increasing Se(IV)concentrations.The 50% growth inhibition concentration(IC50)values for As in plants were increased about one-fold and two-fold under co-exposure with 5 and 10μmol/L Se(IV),respectively.In conclusion,strain T3F4 improves Se uptake but decreases As uptake by plants via oxidation of As and Se,resulting in decrease of soil As bioavailability and As/Se competitive absorption by plants.This provides a potential bioremediation strategy for Se biofortification and As immobilization in As-polluted soil.
