Biotechnological Approaches to Enhance Crop Quality for Iron and Zinc Nutrition
Micronutrient deficiencies have assumed prominence as ‘hidden hunger’; especially iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) have received considerable attention. Deficiencies of iron and zinc in humans lead to a variety of health-related issues related to growth, metabolic
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Shraddha Singh, Sudhakar Srivastava, and Penna Suprasanna
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies have assumed prominence as ‘hidden hunger’; especially iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) have received considerable attention. Deficiencies of iron and zinc in humans lead to a variety of health-related issues related to growth, metabolic, immune and disease and general fitness. Improving the nutritional quality of staple crops seems to be an effective and straightforward solution to the problem. Despite conventional breeding methods employed for this purpose, success has been limited to the existing diversity in the gene pool. Various other strategies have been used to combat these deficiencies including supplementation, food fortification and modification of food preparation and processing methods. Biofortification aims at either increasing accumulation of these minerals in edible parts, endosperm, or to increase their bioavailability. Another strategy is to use biotechnological tools to improve trace element nutrition in staple foods such as cereals and legumes. This may be achieved by the introduction of genes that code for trace element-binding proteins, overexpression of storage proteins already present and/or increased expression of proteins that are responsible for trace element uptake into plants. Alternative approach is also to use genetically modification to reduce, inhibitors of trace element absorption such as phytate. The present chapter outlines the progress made in the application of biotechnological approaches to enhance crop quality for Fe and Zn nutrition.
S. Singh (*) · P. Suprasanna Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India e-mail: [email protected] S. Srivastava Plant Stress Biology Laboratory, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India # Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020 K. Mishra et al. (eds.), Sustainable Solutions for Elemental Deficiency and Excess in Crop Plants, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8636-1_10
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Keywords
Iron · Zinc · Fortification · Nutrients · Genetic engineering
10.1
Introduction
Hidden hunger refers to mineral nutrient deficiency, which affects millions of people worldwide especially the poor people in the developing and underdeveloped countries. However, depending on the diet composition and variety of foods, people may suffer from deficiency of one or more essential elements. Developing countries suffer more from mineral nutrient deficiency than the developed countries. Malnutrition affects the growth and development of children and impacts adults with lowered immunity and work efficiency. However, depending on the diet composition and variety of foods, all people may suffer from deficiency of one or more essential elements. The basic source of nutrients for life on earth is plants. However, humans are mostly dependent on a few plant species and consume them as a staple food. These include most carbohydrate-rich grains such
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