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Selecting High Zinc Wheat Cultivars Increases Grain Zinc Bioavailability
Zikang Guo1,2, Xuemei Zhang1,2, Li Wang1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|September 16, 2021
Summary
Enhancing zinc (Zn) in wheat grains boosts bioavailability, addressing human Zn deficiency. High-Zn cultivars show increased Zn concentration and altered Zn-phytate levels, offering a path for genetic biofortification.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Human Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Zinc deficiency is a global health issue.
- Cereal grains are a primary source of dietary zinc.
- Improving zinc bioavailability in grains is crucial for human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate zinc concentration, distribution, and speciation in wheat grains.
- To compare high-zinc and low-zinc wheat cultivars.
- To identify strategies for genetic biofortification of wheat.
Main Methods:
- Synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) for elemental mapping.
- X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) for speciation analysis.
- Comparative analysis of wheat cultivars with contrasting grain zinc levels.
Main Results:
- High-zinc cultivars exhibited significantly higher zinc concentrations across grain regions.
- Zinc distribution and colocalization with phosphorus and sulfur varied between cultivars.
- High-zinc cultivars showed a lower proportion of zinc-phytate, suggesting improved bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- Wheat cultivars can be selected for high grain zinc concentration and bioavailability.
- Understanding zinc distribution and speciation is key to effective biofortification.
- Genetic strategies can enhance wheat's nutritional value to combat zinc deficiency.
