Scientists develop bio-fortified maize to address ‘hidden hunger’

Researchers at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) have developed a maize variety which is rich in both Vitamin A and essential amino acids through the process of plant breeding. Maize, the third most important foodgrain following wheat and rice, is grown throughout the year in India. Popularly known as corn, it is used to make food items such as chips, flakes and popcorn. The hybrid varieties of maize currently grown in India, though rich in essential amino acids - lysine and tryptophan - are poor in vitamin A.

Scientists have developed a new hybrid variety of maize by crossing. It contains natural variations of three genes - beta-Carotene Hydroxylase, Lycopene-eta-Cyclase and Opaque2 - required for production of high amount of vitamin A and the two essential amino acids. The new hybrids, thus produced, have 4.5 folds more vitamin A content and similar amounts of lysine and tryptophan as earlier varieties.

In addition, the grain yield of new hybrids has been found to be similar to existing varieties, as evaluated by growing both varieties at two different locations in India. Researchers believe that bio-fortified high-yielding maize hybrid could help address micronutrient malnutrition.

Vitamin A, a micronutrient, is required for good vision, healthy teeth, skin and skeletal tissue. Deficiency of Vitamin A, predominately seen in developing countries, can cause blindness and increase the susceptibility of an individual to infectious diseases. Lysine and tryptophan are two essential amino acids -- building blocks of protein -- which cannot be synthesised by the body and must be supplied in the diet. Although vitamin A rich maize has been developed elsewhere, the new variety is important as it is rich not only in vitamin A but in two essential amino acids as well.

Speaking to India Science Wire, Dr. Ganapati Mukri, a scientist at the Indian Agriculture Research Institute but not connected to this study, says “this bio-fortified maize can help in overcoming vitamin A deficiency in India. However, it is essential to sensitise farmers, policymakers and seed traders about this new development so that it can be commercially released.”

The results of this study are published in journal Frontiers in Plant Science. The research team included Rajkumar U. Zunjare, Firoz Hossain, Vignesh Muthusamy, Aanchal Baveja, Hema S. Chauhan, Nepolean Thirunavukkarasu, Supradip Saha and Hari S. Gupta from IARI, New Delhi and Jayant S. Bhat from IARI station at Dharwad.