Biofortification of Major Crops through Conventional and Modern Biotechnological Approaches to Fight Hidden Hunger: An Overview
Hritik Sen, Ashutosh Kumar, Harmeet Singh Janeja
Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology · pp. 96–113 · Published 4 Jun 2024
10.9734/jabb/2024/v27i7970Abstract
Biofortification, the process of enhancing the nutritional content of crops, offers a promising strategy to combat hidden hunger—micronutrient deficiencies affecting over two billion people globally. This review article explores the biofortification of major crops, focusing on both conventional breeding techniques and modern biotechnological approaches. Conventional methods, such as selective breeding and crossbreeding, have been instrumental in increasing the levels of essential micronutrients like iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in staple crops such as wheat, rice, and maize. For instance, wild relatives of cultivated wheat, including Triticum dicoccoides and Aegilops tauschii, have been utilized to significantly enhance Fe and Zn content in modern cultivars. Advancements in biotechnological tools, including genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), have further accelerated the development of biofortified crops. These technologies enable precise modifications to increase the accumulation of micronutrients and improve nutrient bioavailability. For example, transgenic rice varieties enriched with β-carotene (Golden Rice) and enhanced Fe and Zn content through gene editing showcase the potential of biotechnology in addressing micronutrient deficiencies. The review also highlights ongoing efforts and challenges in the field, such as regulatory hurdles, public acceptance, and the need for comprehensive strategies integrating conventional and modern approaches. Furthermore, it discusses the role of international research organizations and collaborations in facilitating the development and dissemination of biofortified crops. In conclusion, combining conventional breeding with cutting-edge biotechnological innovations presents a robust approach to biofortify major crops, offering a sustainable solution to mitigate hidden hunger and improve global food security. Continued research and multi-disciplinary collaborations are essential to fully realize the potential of biofortification in enhancing human nutrition.
References (90)
- 1 Prediction of Total Genetic Value Using Genome-Wide Dense Marker Maps [DOI]
- 2 Metabolite profiling for plant functional genomics [DOI]
- 3 Improving the nutritional value of Golden Rice through increased pro-vitamin A content [DOI]
- 4 The use of wild relatives in crop improvement: a survey of developments over the last 20 years [DOI]
- 5 Biofortification: A New Tool to Reduce Micronutrient Malnutrition [DOI]
- 6 Genotyping‐by‐Sequencing for Plant Breeding and Genetics [DOI]
- 7 Iron fortification of rice seed by the soybean ferritin gene [DOI]
- 8 Plant Breeding with Genomic Selection: Gain per Unit Time and Cost [DOI]
- 9 Addressing micronutrient malnutrition through enhancing the nutritional quality of staple foods: Principles, perspectives and knowledge gaps [DOI]
- 10 Metabolome-based genome-wide association study of maize kernel leads to novel biochemical insights [DOI]
- 11 Enhancing the mineral and vitamin content of wheat and maize through plant breeding [DOI]
- 12 Accuracy of genotypic value predictions for marker-based selection in biparental plant populations [DOI]
- 13 Enhanced tolerance of rice to low iron availability in alkaline soils using barley nicotianamine aminotransferase genes [DOI]
- 14 Endosperm-Specific Co-Expression of Recombinant Soybean Ferritin and Aspergillus Phytase in Maize Results in Significant Increases in the Levels of Bioavailable Iron [DOI]
- 15 Genotyping by sequencing for genomic prediction in a soybean breeding population [DOI]
- 16 Population genetics of genomics-based crop improvement methods [DOI]
- 17 An Eight-Parent Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross Population for Winter-Sown Wheat: Creation, Properties, and Validation [DOI]
- 18 Worldwide Genetic Diversity for Mineral Element Concentrations in Rice Grain [DOI]
- 19 Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration in Diploid A Genome Wheat [DOI]
- 20 Zinc and Iron Concentrations in Seeds of Wild, Primitive, and Modern Wheats [DOI]
- 21 QTL Analysis of Seed Iron, Zinc, and Phosphorus Levels in an Andean Bean Population [DOI]
- 22 Biofortification for combating ‘hidden hunger’ for iron [DOI]
- 23 Does genomic selection have a future in plant breeding? [DOI]
- 24 Performance of biofortified spring wheat genotypes in target environments for grain zinc and iron concentrations [DOI]
- 25 Evaluation and utilization of Aegilops and wild Triticum species for enhancing iron and zinc content in wheat [DOI]
- 26 Phytic Acid Level in Wheat Flours [DOI]
- 27 Genetic enhancement of grain iron and zinc content in pearl millet [DOI]
- 28 Genomic selection in sugar beet breeding populations [DOI]
- 29 Quantitative Trait Loci for Biofortification Traits in Maize Grain [DOI]
- 30 Genomics-assisted breeding in four major pulse crops of developing countries: present status and prospects [DOI]
- 31 Purdue Ionomics Information Management System. An Integrated Functional Genomics Platform [DOI]
- 32 Comparison of Iron Bioavailability from 15 Rice Genotypes: Studies Using an in Vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Culture Model [DOI]
- 33 Genetic and Physiological Analysis of Iron Biofortification in Maize Kernels [DOI]
- 34 Translational Genomics in Agriculture: Some Examples in Grain Legumes [DOI]
- 35 Genotypic and environmental variation in phytic acid content and its relation to protein content and malt quality in barley [DOI]
- 36 Identification of QTL for zinc and iron concentration in maize kernel and cob [DOI]
- 37 Pattern of iron distribution in maternal and filial tissues in wheat grains with contrasting levels of iron [DOI]
- 38 Genetics- and genomics-based interventions for nutritional enhancement of grain legume crops: status and outlook [DOI]
- 39 Prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries: current perspectives [DOI]
- 40 Micronutrient Density and Stability in West African Pearl Millet—Potential for Biofortification [DOI]
- 41 Combating micronutrient malnutrition: identification of commercial sorghum cultivars with high grain iron and zinc.
- 42 Characterization of grain nutritional quality in wheat [DOI]
- 43 Assessment of Concentrations of Iron and Zinc and Bioavailable Iron in Grains of Early-Maturing Tropical Maize Varieties [DOI]
- 44 Genomics and molecular breeding in lesser explored pulse crops: Current trends and future opportunities [DOI]
- 45 Quality Criteria for Micronutrient Powder Products: Report of a Meeting Organized by the World Food Programme and Sprinkles Global Health Initiative [DOI]
- 46 Quantitative trait loci mapping of metal concentrations in leaves of the maize IBM population [DOI]
- 47 The iron deficiency-induced phenolics secretion plays multiple important roles in plant iron acquisition underground [DOI]
- 48 Evaluation of iron and zinc in grain and grain fractions of hexaploid wheat and its related species for possible utilization in wheat biofortification [DOI]
- 49 Grain iron concentration in Thai rice germplasm [DOI]
- 50 Differential iron-bioavailability with relation to nutrient compositions in polished rice among selected Chinese genotypes using Caco-2 cell culture model [DOI]
- 51 Biofortification of crops with seven mineral elements often lacking in human diets – iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iodine [DOI]
- 52 Expression of the IRT1 Metal Transporter Is Controlled by Metals at the Levels of Transcript and Protein Accumulation [DOI]
- 53 Metabolomics-assisted breeding: a viable option for crop improvement? [DOI]
- 54 Recent advancements in molecular marker-assisted selection and applications in plant breeding programmes [DOI]
- 55 From mutations to MAGIC: resources for gene discovery, validation and delivery in crop plants [DOI]
- 56 Breeding for Trace Mineral Density in Rice [DOI]
- 57 Super-Pangenome by Integrating the Wild Side of a Species for Accelerated Crop Improvement [DOI]
- 58 Nutraceutical Value of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.], and Their Improvement Using Omics Approaches [DOI]
- 59 Biofortification of wheat grain with iron and zinc: integrating novel genomic resources and knowledge from model crops [DOI]
- 60 A Foundation for Provitamin A Biofortification of Maize: Genome-Wide Association and Genomic Prediction Models of Carotenoid Levels [DOI]
- 61 Economic effects of the double burden of malnutrition [DOI]
- 62 Maize grain and soil surveys reveal suboptimal dietary selenium intake is widespread in Malawi [DOI]
- 63 Agronomic biofortification of food crops: An emerging opportunity for global food and nutritional security [DOI]
- 64 Systems biology for crop improvement [DOI]
- 65 Functional characterization of a transition metal ion transporter, OsZIP6 from rice (Oryza sativa L.) [DOI]
- 66 Linkage disequilibrium mapping for grain Fe and Zn enhancing QTLs useful for nutrient dense rice breeding [DOI]
- 67 Prospects of microgreens as budding living functional food: Breeding and biofortification through OMICS and other approaches for nutritional security [DOI]
- 68 Variation in Iron and Zinc Content in Traditional Rice Genotypes [DOI]
- 69 Ensuring Global Food Security by Improving Protein Content in Major Grain Legumes Using Breeding and ‘Omics’ Tools [DOI]
- 70 Grain legumes: A diversified diet for sustainable livelihood, food, and nutritional security [DOI]
- 71 Productivity of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.) SFM-1 under Varied Sowing Dates and Nitrogen Levels [DOI]
- 72 ENHANCING SEED QUALITY AND INSECT MANAGEMENT IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) THROUGH OPTIMIZATION OF STORAGE TREATMENTS WITH NATURAL AND CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS [DOI]
- 73 Genetic Variation in Total Carotene, Iron, and Zinc Contents of Maize and Cassava Genotypes [DOI]
- 74 Emerging Paradigms in Genomics‐Based Crop Improvement [DOI]
- 75 Influence of Various Organic Amendments on Growth and Yield Attributes of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) [DOI]
- 76 Strategies to fortify the nutritional values of polished rice by implanting selective traits from brown rice: A nutrigenomics-based approach [DOI]
- 77 Inheritance Studies in Segregating Population of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) [DOI]
- 78 Analysis of Heterotic Potential for Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) [DOI]
- 79 Genotypic Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Elite Genotypes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) [DOI]
- 80 Biofortification of Maize for Protein Quality and Provitamin-A Content [DOI]
- 81 Identification of Iron rich rice genotypes in Bangladesh using chemical analysis [DOI]
- 82 Alien Germ Plasm as a Source of Resistance to Disease [DOI]
- 83 Preharvest Biofortification of Horticultural Crops [DOI]
- 84 Screening of Eight Biofortified Rice Varieties Based on Total Content of Zinc and Iron as Well as Its Uptake by Caco-2 Cells: An In Vitro Cellular Model [DOI]
- 85 Cereals and Pulses: A Duet of the Mediterranean Diet for a Healthier Future [DOI]
- 86 Characterization of manganese use efficiency in UK wheat cultivars grown in a solution culture system and in the field [DOI]
- 87 Genomics-Enabled Breeding for Enhancing Micronutrients in Crops [DOI]
- 88 Genetic diversity of maize landraces from Tanzania as compared with commercial improved varieties and elite lines through morphological characterization [DOI]
- 89 Analysis of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Yield Associated Traits in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) [DOI]
- 90 Molecular Marker Techniques and Recent Advancements [DOI]
Cited by 33
Agegnehu Mekonnen Tessema, Fikru Mekonnen Abebe, Yosef Gebrehawaryat Kidane · Crop Science · 2026
Jyoti Rani, Deepak Beniwal, Sahil Singh Dhull · Discover Sustainability · 2025
Hilal Yilmaz, Abdurrahim Yilmaz · Food Science & Nutrition · 2025
Caroline Figueiredo Oliveira, Thaynara Garcez da Silva, Estefani Kariane Oliveira · AgriEngineering · 2025
Yi Li, Zhiyuan Yang, Yong Shao · Agronomy · 2025
Susmita Shukla, Shreedhanya Dattatray Patil, G. Pravin · Polar Microbes and Climate Change · 2025
Cengiz Kaya · Food and Energy Security · 2025
Adriana Morfín-Gutiérrez, Josué Israel García-López, Norma A. Ruiz-Torres · Advanced Agrochem · 2025
Pitambara, Ranjana Kumari, Prachi Singh · Handbook of Functional Foods · 2026
Ashish Sheera, Nashra Aftab, Jatin Tanwar · Journal of Food Composition and Analysis · 2025
Showing 15 of 33 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.
Related research
- Anaemia Prevalence and Contributory Factors among Children in Uttarakhand, India — shares topic coverage
- Trace Elements as Potential Biomarkers of Preeclampsia — shares topic coverage
- Study of Mineral Nutrient Accumulation in Different Cultivars of Guava Fruits — shares topic coverage
- Effect of Zn and B on Lentil (Lens culinaris) Growth Characteristics, Yield, and Available Nutrients in the Soil — shares topic coverage
- Zinc: A Critical Micronutrient for Children’s Health — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
66
Page views
0
PDF downloads
7
Outbound clicks
33
Citations
Views over time
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.