Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global Malnutrition
Background: Micronutrient deficiencies impact over two billion people globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, leading to severe health issues. Traditional interventions such as supplementation and dietary diversification face limitations, necessitating sustainable solutions like...
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Jinnah University for Women
2025-05-01
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| Series: | RADS Journal of Biological Research & Applied Science |
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| Online Access: | https://jbas.juw.edu.pk/index.php/JBAS/article/view/675 |
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| author | Hafiza Zara Saeed Musrat Shaheen Burhan Khalid Aftab Umar Hina Anwar Talha Riaz Iqra Irfan Muhammad Atiq Ashraf Saira Batool |
| author_facet | Hafiza Zara Saeed Musrat Shaheen Burhan Khalid Aftab Umar Hina Anwar Talha Riaz Iqra Irfan Muhammad Atiq Ashraf Saira Batool |
| author_sort | Hafiza Zara Saeed |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Background: Micronutrient deficiencies impact over two billion people globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, leading to severe health issues. Traditional interventions such as supplementation and dietary diversification face limitations, necessitating sustainable solutions like biofortification to enhance the nutritional content of staple crops.
Objective: This review aims to synthesize advancements in biofortification techniques, including agronomic, conventional breeding, and genetic engineering approaches, to address micronutrient deficiencies while ensuring crop yield stability and consumer acceptability.
Methods: A systematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2024 focused on biofortification strategies for key crops such as vitamin A cassava, iron pearl millet, and zinc wheat. Data were evaluated for nutritional efficacy, scalability, and socioeconomic impacts.
Results: Biofortified crops demonstrate significant efficacy: provitamin A maize improved serum retinol levels by 30% in deficient children, while iron-biofortified pearl millet increased hemoglobin concentrations by 15%. Agronomic techniques (e.g., foliar fertilization) and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing emerged as scalable solutions, though challenges like GMO regulations and farmer adoption persist.
Conclusion: Bio fortification offers a cost-effective, sustainable strategy to combat malnutrition. Future success depends on interdisciplinary collaboration, policy harmonization, and community engagement to optimize crop nutrient profiles and ensure widespread adoption.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5f3400a5b0d94593b006f417ad999ef9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2305-8722 2521-8573 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Jinnah University for Women |
| record_format | Article |
| series | RADS Journal of Biological Research & Applied Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-5f3400a5b0d94593b006f417ad999ef92025-08-20T02:24:43ZengJinnah University for WomenRADS Journal of Biological Research & Applied Science2305-87222521-85732025-05-01152Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global MalnutritionHafiza Zara Saeed0Musrat Shaheen1Burhan Khalid2Aftab Umar3Hina Anwar4Talha Riaz5Iqra Irfan6Muhammad Atiq Ashraf7Saira Batool8Department of Botany, Government College University Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.Department of Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan-430070, China. Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanDepartment of Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan-430070, China.Department of Botany, Government College University Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan-430070, China.College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan-430070, China. Background: Micronutrient deficiencies impact over two billion people globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, leading to severe health issues. Traditional interventions such as supplementation and dietary diversification face limitations, necessitating sustainable solutions like biofortification to enhance the nutritional content of staple crops. Objective: This review aims to synthesize advancements in biofortification techniques, including agronomic, conventional breeding, and genetic engineering approaches, to address micronutrient deficiencies while ensuring crop yield stability and consumer acceptability. Methods: A systematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2024 focused on biofortification strategies for key crops such as vitamin A cassava, iron pearl millet, and zinc wheat. Data were evaluated for nutritional efficacy, scalability, and socioeconomic impacts. Results: Biofortified crops demonstrate significant efficacy: provitamin A maize improved serum retinol levels by 30% in deficient children, while iron-biofortified pearl millet increased hemoglobin concentrations by 15%. Agronomic techniques (e.g., foliar fertilization) and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing emerged as scalable solutions, though challenges like GMO regulations and farmer adoption persist. Conclusion: Bio fortification offers a cost-effective, sustainable strategy to combat malnutrition. Future success depends on interdisciplinary collaboration, policy harmonization, and community engagement to optimize crop nutrient profiles and ensure widespread adoption. https://jbas.juw.edu.pk/index.php/JBAS/article/view/675Food bio-fortificationmicronutrientshealth benefitsconventional approachesbio-fortified crop |
| spellingShingle | Hafiza Zara Saeed Musrat Shaheen Burhan Khalid Aftab Umar Hina Anwar Talha Riaz Iqra Irfan Muhammad Atiq Ashraf Saira Batool Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global Malnutrition RADS Journal of Biological Research & Applied Science Food bio-fortification micronutrients health benefits conventional approaches bio-fortified crop |
| title | Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global Malnutrition |
| title_full | Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global Malnutrition |
| title_fullStr | Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global Malnutrition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global Malnutrition |
| title_short | Advancements in Food Biofortification: Enhancing Nutrient Density to Combat Global Malnutrition |
| title_sort | advancements in food biofortification enhancing nutrient density to combat global malnutrition |
| topic | Food bio-fortification micronutrients health benefits conventional approaches bio-fortified crop |
| url | https://jbas.juw.edu.pk/index.php/JBAS/article/view/675 |
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