Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Saira Ibrahim, Bilal Saleem, Nazia Rehman, Syed Adeel Zafar, Muhammad Kashif Naeem, Muhammad Ramzan Khan
Summary: This study demonstrated the potential application of the CRISPR/Cas9 technique for biofortifying wheat by disrupting the TaIPK1.A gene, leading to a significant decrease in phytic acid content and an increase in iron and zinc accumulation.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhengyu Wen, Philomin Juliana, Harshaant S. Dhugga, Mario Pacheco, Ulises I. Martinez, Agustin Aguilar, Maria I. Ibba, Velu Govindan, Ravi P. Singh, Kanwarpal S. Dhugga
Summary: Biofortification of cereal grains provides a long-term solution for combating micronutrient deficiency in developing countries. This study developed a high-throughput assay for quantifying phytic acid (PA) content and demonstrated its utility in breeding programs. Genome-wide association study identified genetic associations with PA content.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Himanshu Sharma, Satinder Singh, M. Shamshad, Asish Kumar Padhy, Ravneet Kaur, Lenika Kashyap, Puja Srivastava, G. S. Mavi, Satinder Kaur, Achla Sharma, V. S. Sohu, N. S. Bains
Summary: More than one-third of the global population suffers from iron and zinc deficiency, especially in developing countries. This study focuses on the investigation of variability and bioavailability of iron and zinc in bread wheat. The study found that phytic acid is the main factor reducing the bioavailability of these micronutrients, and drought also affects their accumulation in wheat. A pre-breeding wheat germplasm set comprising 137 genotypes was used to assess the variability of iron, zinc, and phytic acid content. Promising genotypes with low phytic acid and high iron and zinc content were identified for further breeding of biofortified wheat cultivars.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Awadhesh Kumar, Milan Kumar Lal, Soumya Kumar Sahoo, Goutam Kumar Dash, Upasana Sahoo, Biswaranjan Behera, Lopamudra Nayak, Torit Baran Bagchi
Summary: Rice is a staple food for billions of people and its bioavailability of iron and zinc is affected by phytic acid. A study found that while a genotype with high iron content had low bioavailability, possibly due to its high phytic acid content. Phytic acid mainly affects the bioavailability of iron, but has less effect on zinc, which is evenly distributed in the rice grain. The study also identified genes related to phytic acid synthesis and grain-specific phosphorus transporter genes that are expressed during grain filling and correlated with phytic acid accumulation. This research provides insights for breeders to develop rice genotypes with higher bioavailability of iron and zinc by targeting phytic acid related genes.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Julien Comel, Eric Meux, Nathalie Leclerc, Sebastien Diliberto, Philippe Pierrat, Herve Muhr
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of using phytic acid to remove iron in zinc hydrometallurgy. Results showed that at pH = 2.1, up to 99.5% of iron could be removed with a loss of zinc equal to 0.6%. Even though the amount of residue is higher, iron phytate could be stored in less drastic conditions than jarosite.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tongtong Ma, Qian Sun, Gen-na Ba, Xuan Wu, Xingwu Pei, Chao Sun, Shengjie Tan, Zhongxiao Wan
Summary: This study compared the effects of low phytate soymilk and regular soymilk consumption on long-term mineral status using rodent models. The results showed that both soymilk and low phytate soymilk increased serum calcium, hemoglobin, transferrin, and femur zinc levels compared to the control group. However, the soymilk group had decreased serum iron, red cell distribution width, and zinc levels. In addition, the low phytate soymilk group had significantly higher serum and liver zinc levels compared to the soymilk group. Furthermore, low phytate soymilk improved bone quality, maintained circulating iron and zinc levels, and increased liver iron storage compared to regular soymilk. Further studies on human subjects are needed to explore the effects of low phytate soymilk consumption on calcium, iron, and zinc status.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ayalew Mentewab, Bethany W. W. Mwaura, Carla M. M. Kumbale, Catherine Rono, Natalia Torres-Patarroyo, Tomas Vlcko, Ludmila Ohnoutkova, Eberhard O. O. Voit
Summary: Arabidopsis plants exposed to kanamycin show altered metal homeostasis, and mutation of the WBC19 gene leads to increased sensitivity to kanamycin and changes in iron and zinc uptake. A dynamic compartment model was constructed based on a transport and interaction diagram and was parameterized using experimental time series data. The model provides novel insights into metal homeostasis and explains differences in data from wildtype, mutants, and kanamycin inhibition experiments.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sichul Lee, Md Mizanor Rahman, Hiromi Nakanishi, Naoko K. K. Nishizawa, Gynheung An, Hong Gil Nam, Jong-Seong Jeon
Summary: Simultaneous activation of OsNAS2 and OsNAS3 can enhance the accumulation of iron and zinc in rice grains and increase the plant's tolerance to metal deficiency and excess metal availability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Yuta Kawakami, Navreet K. Bhullar
Summary: Iron deficiency in humans is a widespread issue worldwide, and iron biofortification of rice has shown promising results in increasing grain iron concentration. However, there are still many aspects to be addressed and future studies should focus on resolving these issues to enhance rice biofortification strategies.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Aishwarya Jaiswal, Vanshdeep Pathania, Jyothi A. Lakshmi
Summary: This study investigated the impact of spices on the digestibility of proteins and bioaccessibility of iron and zinc in complementary food mixes and Indian flatbread mixes. Results showed that spices significantly enhanced the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc, with even greater effects observed after thermal treatments. This research demonstrates for the first time the beneficial role of spices in improving mineral bioaccessibility in these food mixes, in addition to potentially boosting immunity.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sadia Sheraz, Yongfang Wan, Eudri Venter, Shailender K. Verma, Qing Xiong, Joshua Waites, James M. Connorton, Peter R. Shewry, Katie L. Moore, Janneke Balk
Summary: Understanding the mechanisms of iron trafficking in plants is essential for improving the nutritional quality of crops. Through a novel approach combining Fe-57 isotope labelling and NanoSIMS, researchers visualized the iron transport between tissues and cells in immature wheat grain. The study revealed a main route of iron transport from maternal tissues to the embryo via intracellular bodies, providing insights into iron homeostasis in cereal grains and potential implications for biofortification strategies.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Asiye Seis Subasi, Recai Ercan
Summary: This study investigated the effects of wheat variety, sourdough treatment, and sourdough level on the nutritional characteristics of whole wheat bread. The results showed that the use of lactic starters and 30% sourdough improved the phytic acid, soluble dietary fiber, free phenolic content, and free antioxidant activity of the bread.
JOURNAL OF CEREAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Zhao Aiqing, Liansheng Zhang, Peng Ning, Qin Chen, Bini Wang, Fuxin Zhang, Xingbin Yang, Youlin Zhang
Summary: Zinc is an essential micronutrient for humans, and insufficient dietary intake is the leading cause of zinc deficiency, especially in populations consuming cereal grains as a staple food. Research has shown that the absorption, transport, and deposition of zinc in small-grained cereals are influenced by various factors, including plant zinc transporters and metal chelators.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
C. Friedrich. H. Longin, Muhammad Afzal, Jens Pfannstiel, Ute Bertsche, Tanja Melzer, Andrea Ruf, Christoph Heger, Tobias Pfaff, Margit Schollenberger, Markus Rodehutscord
Summary: Wheat is an important source of minerals for a healthy diet, but the phytate complex in the grain makes some minerals unavailable to humans. Our trials compared different wheat species and bread-making recipes to find ways to reduce phytic acid content and increase mineral bioavailability. We found significant variations in mineral content and phytase activity among different wheat species and varieties. Bread-making recipes, such as long yeast proofing or the use of whole grain rye flour, had a greater impact on reducing phytic acid content in bread than the choice of wheat species. Collaborations between research organizations and stakeholders are necessary for optimizing food production for a growing world population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Donna L. Lindsay, Ambuj B. Jha, Gene Arganosa, Raymond Glahn, Thomas D. Warkentin
Summary: Through a single round of plant breeding, low phytic acid pea lines were successfully developed with promising agronomic performance and higher bioavailability of iron.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zi-Wen Ren, Peter M. Kopittke, Fang-Jie Zhao, Peng Wang
Summary: Rice is a vital source of calories and mineral nutrients, but the accumulation of essential and toxic elements in rice grain remains poorly understood. This study analyzed the temporal changes in dry matter, elemental concentrations, and gene expression during grain development. Three distinct patterns of element accumulation were observed, which can be attributed to differences in soil behavior, nutrient redistribution, gene expression, and sink-source relationship.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tommaso Filippini, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Marco Vinceti
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of selenium supplementation on immune function in healthy people concludes that the overall impact is inconsistent and heterogeneous. The evidence does not support the need to supplement selenium beyond the recommended dietary intake for beneficial effects on immune function.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chuan Chen, Yu Yu, Yijie Wang, Axiang Gao, Baoyun Yang, Zhu Tang, Fang-Jie Zhao
Summary: Dimethylarsenate (DMAs(V)) is a common arsenic species in soils and plants that can cause straighthead disease in rice. This study found that the phytotoxicity of DMAs(V) may be due to the presence of the more toxic trivalent dimethylarsenite (DMAs(III)), which can be produced by anaerobic bacteria and rice plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhong Tang, Han-Qing Wang, Jie Chen, Jia-Dong Chang, Fang-Jie Zhao
Summary: Plants take up various trace metals from soil, some of which are essential but become toxic at high concentrations, while others are non-essential and toxic even at low concentrations. Soil contamination of trace metals due to human activities is a global problem. This contamination can cause toxicity and growth inhibition in plants, as well as threaten food safety and human health. Understanding the mechanisms of trace metal toxicity and plant response is crucial for improving plant growth and food safety in contaminated soils.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Ismail Cakmak, Hans Lambers, Cynthia A. Grant, Fang-Jie Zhao
Summary: Cadmium (Cd) levels in food crops can be increased through management activities and geogenic factors. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a significant role in reducing Cd accumulation in plants. AMF have various mechanisms to reduce shoot Cd accumulation, including immobilizing Cd in fungal structures and increasing root Zn uptake.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zi-Wen Ren, Meng Yang, Brigid A. McKenna, Xing-Ming Lian, Fang-Jie Zhao, Peter M. Kopittke, Enzo Lombi, Peng Wang
Summary: The concentration, chemical speciation, and spatial distribution of essential and toxic mineral elements in cereal seeds have significant implications for human health. X-ray fluorescence microscopy (mu-XRF) is used to identify genes responsible for element uptake, translocation, and storage, and an ImageJ-based pipeline is developed for spatial distribution analysis. This method is applied in rice seeds and diverse rice accessions, identifying loci and mutants associated with the spatial distribution of elements and providing a basis for investigating the genetics and molecular mechanisms controlling mineral elements in plant seeds.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Inge Groenendijk, Pol Grootswagers, Aurelia Santoro, Claudio Franceschi, Alberto Bazzocchi, Nathalie Meunier, Aurelie Caille, Corinne Malpuech-Brugere, Agata Bialecka-Debek, Barbara Pietruszka, Susan Fairweather-Tait, Amy Jennings, Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot
Summary: This study found an association between total and animal protein intake with higher bone mineral density (BMD), while plant protein intake was associated with lower BMD. In individuals with adequate calcium intake and sufficient vitamin D levels, the association between total and animal protein intake with BMD was stronger. Protein supplementation did not lead to significant improvements in BMD.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gaofei Jiang, Jiaxuan Zhang, Yaozhong Zhang, Xinrun Yang, Tingting Li, Ningqi Wang, Xingjian Chen, Fang-Jie Zhao, Zhong Wei, Yangchun Xu, Qirong Shen, Wei Xue
Summary: DCiPatho is a deep learning-based pathogen detection algorithm that accurately identifies pathogenic bacteria infecting humans, animals, and plants by integrating the frequency of k-mers into deep cross-fusion networks.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yi-Fei Wu, Jian Chen, Wan-Ying Xie, Chao Peng, Shi-Tong Tang, Barry P. P. Rosen, Andreas Kappler, Jun Zhang, Fang-Jie Zhao
Summary: We isolated a photosynthetic purple bacteria, Rhodobacter strain CZR27, from an arsenic-contaminated paddy soil and demonstrated its capacity to oxidize As(III) to As(V) using malate as a carbon source photosynthetically. Our study revealed the presence of anaerobic photosynthesis-coupled As(III) oxidation in paddy soils, highlighting the importance of light-dependent, microbe-mediated arsenic redox changes in paddy arsenic biogeochemistry.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gabriela Burgos, Reyna Liria, Christophe Zeder, Paul A. Kroon, Guy Hareau, Mary Penny, Jack Dainty, Olla Al-Jaibaji, Erick Boy, Richard Mithen, Richard F. Hurrell, Elisa Salas, Thomas zum Felde, Michael B. Zimmermann, Susan Fairweather-Tait
Summary: A study found that iron absorption from iron-biofortified yellow-fleshed potatoes is higher compared to non-biofortified potatoes, suggesting that biofortification of potatoes through conventional breeding can improve iron intake in iron-deficient women.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silvia Garaycochea, Nora Adriana Altier, Carolina Leoni, Andrew L. Neal, Hector Romero
Summary: Grassland biomes provide important ecosystem services through nutrient cycling, with organic phosphorus (Po) being a significant component of soil phosphorus. This study analyzed soil metagenomes from different grassland biomes worldwide to investigate the distribution and abundance of key P enzymes and their relationship with environmental factors. The results showed that alkaline phosphatase phoD was the most abundant P enzyme gene, followed by acid phosphatases Nsap-A and Nsap-C. pH, T-max, SOC, and soil moisture were found to be associated with the abundance and diversity of all studied genes, and the presence of certain genes correlated with specific soil properties.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Likun Yang, Xiaoyue Zhang, Di Zhao, Peng Wang, Fangjie Zhao
Summary: We collected 14 rice samples from Cd contaminated areas and determined the Cd relative bioavailability (RBA) in rice using in vivo mouse bioassay. Cd-RBA in rice correlated positively with calcium and amylose content but negatively with the concentrations of sulfur, phosphorus, phytic acid, and crude protein. Based on the total and bioavailable Cd concentrations in rice, weekly dietary Cd intake for adults was estimated. This study demonstrates the possibility of predicting Cd-RBA based on rice compositions and provides valuable suggestions for health risk assessment.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhan-Biao Ge, Ming-Ming Chen, Wan-Ying Xie, Ke Huang, Fang-Jie Zhao, Peng Wang
Summary: In this study, a novel approach utilizing a bacterial biosensor in conjunction with amylase hydrolysis was developed for high-throughput detection of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in rice grains. The biosensor demonstrated high specificity and was able to distinguish between arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)]. The results obtained using this method were comparable to the standard technique of microwave digestion coupled with HPLC-ICP-MS. The biosensor exhibited excellent reproducibility and a high signal-to-noise ratio, with lower limits of detection than the maximum allowable level for infant rice supplements established by the European Union.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shi-Tong Tang, Xin-Wei Song, Jian Chen, Jie Shen, Bin Ma, Barry P. Rosen, Jun Zhang, Fang-Jie Zhao
Summary: This study identified a previously unknown gene, arsO, which encodes an enzyme called ArsO that oxidizes Sb(III) to Sb(V) under aerobic conditions. The enzyme plays a significant role in the detoxification of Sb(III) in the environment. The arsO gene is widely distributed and abundant in various environments affected by human activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gary M. Brittenham, Susan Fairweather-Tait
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2023)
