Plant Breeding for Improved Food Quality

More than 840 million people worldwide do not get enough food to meet their daily nutritional needs, and a far larger number — around three billion people — suffer from what is called 'hidden hunger': deficiencies of micronutrients, protein and vitamins, because they cannot afford enough fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish and meat. Diets that lack essential micronutrients, particularly iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc, raise the risk of disease, shorten lifespan and impair mental ability.

What is biofortification?

Biofortification is the breeding of crops to carry higher levels of vitamins and minerals, or more and better-quality protein and healthier fats. It is considered the most practical way to improve public health through the food supply itself, since it reaches people through the crops they already eat, without requiring a change in diet or access to supplements.

Breeding for improved nutritional quality is generally aimed at improving:

1. Protein content and quality
2. Oil content and quality
3. Vitamin content
4. Micronutrient and mineral content

Examples of biofortified crops

• In 2000, maize hybrids were developed carrying twice the levels of the amino acids lysine and tryptophan found in earlier hybrids.
• The wheat variety Atlas 66, which has a high protein content, has been used as a donor to improve cultivated wheat varieties.
• An iron-fortified rice variety has been developed containing over five times as much iron as commonly consumed varieties. …