How Does Biofortification Improve Food Quality and Health?
During the diagnosis of patients suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiency, doctors have noticed a unique phenomenon at times. Even though these individuals have consumed food regularly, they lack the required nutrition. This scenario occurs due to the lack of micronutrients like vitamin A, zinc, iron, etc. in their staple food.
Therefore, to counter this problem and enhance the micronutrient quotient of any food, biofortification is used.
Process of Biofortification
The process by which the nutritional value of food crops is enhanced by various methods which include agronomic practices, plant breeding and other modern biotechnological techniques. Basically, it is a process of growing crops to increase the nutrition value from the seed. Fortification is different from food fortification which involves the improvement of the nutritional content which is present in the food crops during the stage of processing. In biofortification, the nutritional value which is present in the crops is improved during the growth stage of the plant as the nutritional micronutrients in the plant are fixed in the crop which is being grown.
The crops can be biofortified which is done through selective breeding or genetic engineering. In India, biofortification is mainly done through selective breeding. Biofortification is mainly focused on the research of zinc, iron and vitamin A deficiencies. These are the micronutrients whose deficiencies affect a lot of people worldwide.
For example, take a look at the biofortification of wheat, especially in the variant termed transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum).
The pro-vitamin A in wheat has been improved via bacterial PSY along with carotene desaturase genes.
Moreover, the betterment of iron within wheat has been done through the ferritin gene which is found in soybean and wheat.
Now, to improve the bioavailability of iron, phytase activity has been stepped-up by expressing phytochrome genes. Additionally, phytic acid has been decreased by suppressing ABCC13 transporters in wheat.
Protein contents, especially methionine, amino acids lysine, cysteine, and tyrosine contents, are also enhanced using the amaranthus albumin gene.
Moreover, wheat has been used to better antioxidant and other similar activities by venting the maize regulatory genes in the production of anthocyanin.
Last but not least, resistant amylose and less digestible starch have been boosted in wheat by suppressing gene encoding SBEs. It addresses the difficulties of overnutrition and obesity.
Techniques of Biofortification
The main techniques or methods through which crops can be biofortified are explained below –
Agronomic Practices – It involves the application of fertilizers so that the quantity of micronutrients that are present in the plant can be increased which is grown in the soil conditions that are poor for those minerals.
Conventional Plant Breeding – Conventional plant breeding involves those traditional breeding methods by which sufficient genetic variations can be produced for the desired trait in the crops like a high content of any micronutrient. This is the only method that is used in India for the production of biofortified crops.
Genetic Engineering / Modification – It involves the inserting of DNA into the genome of organism so that new or different characteristics can be introduced like being resistant to any disease.
Examples of Biofortification
The common examples of biofortification of food crops are given below –
Iron biofortification – Sweet potato, beans, rice, cassava and legumes.
Provitamin A carotenoid biofortification – Sweet potato, cassava and maize.
Zinc biofortification – Beans, rice, sweet potato, maize and wheat.
Amino acid and biofortification of protein – Sorghum and cassava.
Benefits of Biofortification
It helps in improving the overall health of the people. Such crops provide better yields and are more resilient to pests, diseases and droughts. Biofortification offers sustainable, food-based and low dose alternatives to iron supplements.
It helps in benefitting the farmers and also has the potential for reaching out to the poor section of society. Once the initial research is done, the process of biofortification can be easily replicated and hence it is highly cost-effective.
Challenges of Biofortification
There are some challenges which is being faced in biofortification and those are –
Due to the biofortification, the colour of the grain changes and hence people starts hesitating to accept biofortified food like golden rice.
For implementing biofortification, the initial cost can be a barrier for people.
The farmers should also need to adopt biofortification on a large scale.
What are Micronutrients?
A word closely associated with biofortification is micronutrients. Micronutrients are a group of essential nutrients required by human beings in small amounts. Moreover, it performs an extensive range of crucial bodily functions and helps in proper development. Examples of micronutrients are copper, iron, zinc, etc.
Why is the Purpose of Biofortification?
The primary purpose of biofortification is to solve the problem of a lack of essential nutrients. The benefits of biofortification can easily reach people who live in the interiors and do not have access to a diverse diet. Usually, they consume their staple food, from what they grow. Thus, they suffer from a lack of micronutrients at times.
Biofortification can solve this problem by combining increased micronutrients with preferred agronomic. Therefore, they can outperform the variety produced by farmers organically. Hence, consuming biofortified crops can ensure a more balanced diet in the long term.
Biofortification has played a crucial role in improving diet and subsequently overall health of human beings. Moreover, students can learn about other processes of fortification from our detailed study notes. Additionally, you can join our online live classes by downloading our Vedantu app for a more interactive learning session.
FAQs on Biofortification: Enhancing Nutritional Value in Crops
1. What is biofortification as per the CBSE Class 12 syllabus?
Biofortification is a scientific process of breeding and developing staple food crops to be rich in essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. The primary goal, as outlined in the NCERT curriculum, is to improve the nutritional quality of food and combat widespread health issues caused by 'hidden hunger' or micronutrient deficiencies in populations that rely heavily on these crops.
2. What are the main objectives for improving the nutritional quality of crops through biofortification?
The main objectives of improving nutritional quality through biofortification focus on enhancing specific components within the crop. These objectives are:
- Protein Content & Quality: To increase the overall protein percentage and improve the balance of essential amino acids, such as lysine and tryptophan.
- Oil Content & Quality: To increase the percentage of healthier oils in crops like maize or soybean.
- Vitamin Content: To boost the levels of essential vitamins, for example, creating Vitamin A-enriched carrots, spinach, and rice.
- Micronutrient & Mineral Content: To increase the concentration of vital minerals like iron, zinc, and iodine, which are often deficient in diets.
3. Can you provide some examples of biofortified crops developed in India?
Yes, several biofortified crops have been developed in India to address specific nutritional needs. Notable examples include:
- Atlas 66 Wheat: A variety developed for its significantly high protein content.
- Vitamin A-Enriched Crops: Varieties of carrots, spinach, and pumpkin have been developed with increased Vitamin A content.
- Iron-Fortified Rice: A rice variety developed with over five times the iron content of conventional varieties.
- Lysine and Tryptophan-Enriched Maize: Hybrid maize varieties developed in 2000 that contain twice the amount of these essential amino acids compared to existing hybrids.
4. What are the different methods or approaches used for biofortification?
There are three main approaches to biofortifying crops:
- Agronomic Biofortification: This involves applying fertilisers or soil amendments rich in specific micronutrients (like zinc or iodine) to the soil or plant foliage, which the plants then absorb.
- Conventional Plant Breeding: This is a traditional method where plant breeders screen various crop varieties for high nutrient levels and then cross-breed them to create new, more nutritious strains.
- Genetic Engineering: This modern biotechnological approach involves modifying a plant's genetic makeup to enhance its ability to synthesise or accumulate specific nutrients. An example is the creation of 'Golden Rice' to produce beta-carotene.
5. How does biofortification help in combating 'hidden hunger'?
'Hidden hunger' refers to a deficiency of essential micronutrients, where a person may consume enough calories but lacks vital vitamins and minerals. Biofortification directly addresses this by enriching the staple foods that form the majority of the diet for many people, especially in rural and low-income areas. By integrating these nutrients directly into the crop, it ensures that even populations with limited dietary diversity receive a more nutritionally complete meal, thus reducing deficiencies in a sustainable way.
6. How is biofortification different from the conventional fortification of foods?
Biofortification and conventional fortification differ mainly in their point of intervention:
- Point of Intervention: Biofortification is a pre-harvest strategy that enhances the nutrient content of the crop as it grows. In contrast, conventional fortification is a post-harvest industrial process where nutrients are added to processed foods (e.g., adding iron to flour or Vitamin D to milk).
- Sustainability & Reach: Biofortification is often considered more sustainable as it leverages a one-time investment to develop a nutrient-rich seed that farmers can reuse. It can also reach remote rural populations who consume their own farm produce, unlike industrial fortification which relies on centralised processing and market access.
7. Why is biofortification considered a more sustainable and cost-effective strategy than providing dietary supplements?
Biofortification is considered a more sustainable and cost-effective long-term solution for several reasons. Unlike dietary supplements, which require ongoing funding, manufacturing, and complex distribution networks, biofortification involves a one-time investment to develop the nutrient-dense crop variety. Once developed, these crops can be grown and distributed through existing farming systems. This approach empowers communities to produce their own nutritious food, reducing reliance on external aid and making it a self-sustaining solution to fight malnutrition.
8. What are the potential limitations or challenges in implementing biofortification programs?
Despite its benefits, biofortification faces several challenges:
- Farmer and Consumer Acceptance: Farmers may hesitate to adopt new varieties if their yield is lower than traditional crops. Consumers might also be reluctant if the biofortified food has a different colour, taste, or texture.
- Bioavailability: The enhanced nutrient level in a crop does not guarantee it will be fully absorbed by the human body. The presence of 'anti-nutrients' like phytates can inhibit mineral absorption.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Genetically engineered biofortified crops, in particular, face lengthy and complex regulatory approval processes in many countries.
- Breeding Time: Developing a new crop variety through conventional breeding that is both high in nutrients and agronomically successful (e.g., high yield, disease-resistant) can take many years.
