Biofortified crops to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition

• Published in: Current opinion in plant biology 2008-04, Vol.11 (2), p.166-170
• Main Authors: Mayer, Jorge E, Pfeiffer, Wolfgang H, Beyer, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; Breeding; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Crops, Agricultural - metabolism; Food, Fortified; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Malnutrition - prevention & control; Microbiology; Micronutrients - deficiency; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Plants, Genetically Modified; Soil science
• ISSN: 1369-5266; 1879-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2008.01.007

Micronutrient malnutrition affects more than half of the world population, particularly in developing countries. Concerted international and national fortification and supplementation efforts to curb the scourge of micronutrient malnutrition are showing a positive impact, alas without reaching the goals set by international organizations. Biofortification, the delivery of micronutrients via micronutrient-dense crops, offers a cost-effective and sustainable approach, complementing these efforts by reaching rural populations. Bioavailable micronutrients in the edible parts of staple crops at concentrations high enough to impact on human health can be obtained through breeding, provided that sufficient genetic variation for a given trait exists, or through transgenic approaches. Research and breeding programs are underway to enrich the major food staples in developing countries with the most important micronutrients: iron, provitamin A, zinc and folate.