Biofortified crops to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition

Mayer, J.E. and Pfeiffer, W.H. and Beyer, P. (2008) Biofortified crops to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. Current Opinion in Plant Biology , 11. pp. 166-170.

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Abstract

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 costeffective 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.

Item Type: Article
Author Affiliation: Center for Applied Biosciences, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
Subjects: Crop Improvement
Divisions: Other Crops
Depositing User: Sushil
Date Deposited: 15 Oct 2010 07:54
Last Modified: 15 Oct 2010 07:54
Official URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/40

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