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Metabolic Signatures from Genebank Collections: An Underexploited Resource for Human Health?
Nese Sreenivasulu1, Saleh Alseekh2,3, Rhowell N Tiozon1,2
1Consumer-Driven Grain Quality and Nutrition Center, Rice Breeding and Innovation Platform, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Philippines;
Annual Review of Food Science and Technology
|January 9, 2023
Summary
Genomic and metabolomic tools can identify superior crop alleles for enhanced nutritional quality, combating hidden hunger. This approach complements other breeding strategies to improve human health through diet.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Genetics
- Human Nutrition
Background:
- Dietary intake significantly impacts human health, yet nutritional research lags behind medical interventions.
- Traditional crop breeding prioritized yield over nutritional value, leading to widespread deficiencies (hidden hunger).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of genome sequencing and metabolomics for identifying superior nutritional alleles in crops.
- To explore complementary approaches to metabolic engineering for improving crop nutritional quality.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing genome sequencing to analyze genetic diversity within genebank collections.
- Employing metabolomics to assess the biochemical profiles of crop varieties.
- Screening for superior alleles linked to enhanced nutritional compounds.
Main Results:
- Initial findings demonstrate the promise of using genomic and metabolomic approaches for nutritional trait discovery.
- This strategy can identify beneficial alleles for a wide range of health-relevant compounds in diverse crops.
Conclusions:
- Genome sequencing and metabolomics offer a powerful, complementary strategy to traditional breeding and metabolic engineering for improving crop nutritional value.
- Care must be taken to avoid reintroducing antinutrients during crop improvement efforts.
