Title
Developing Germplasm and Promoting Consumption of Anthocyanin-Rich Grains for Health Benefits
Date Issued
25 April 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
review
Author(s)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Publisher(s)
Frontiers Media S.A.
Abstract
Malnutrition, unhealthy diets, and lifestyle changes are the major risk factors for overweight and obesity-linked chronic diseases in humans adversely impact achieving sustainable development goals. Colored grains are a source of anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids, that contribute positively to human health. This review focuses on genetic variation harnessed through breeding and biotechnology tools for developing anthocyanin-rich grain crops. Agronomic practices, genotype × environment interactions, different stresses, seed development and seed maturity are factors that impact the content and composition of anthocyanins. Significant progress has been made in characterizing genes associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in cereal and other crops. Breeding has led to the development and release of grain anthocyanin-rich crop cultivars in Europe, America and in some countries in Asia. Notably, genetic engineering utilizing specific transcription factors and gene editing has led to the development of anthocyanin-rich genetic variants without any significant yield penalty. A variety of food products derived from colored grains or flours are now available in grocery stores and supermarkets worldwide. The public perception about anthocyanin-rich food is positive, but availability, affordability, and willingness to pay a higher price than before limit consumption. Together with other seed nutrition traits in breeding programs the inclusion of anthocyanins can ensure the development of cultivars that meet nutrition needs of humans, especially in the developing world.
Volume
6
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Biotecnología agrícola, Biotecnología alimentaria
Protección y nutrición de las plantas
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85130018772
Source
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
ISSN of the container
2571581X
Sponsor(s)
A blue-grained substitution line in the genetic background of popular Russian wheat cultivar “Saratovskaya 29” (S29) including the Thinopyrum ponticum chromosome 4 has been developed (Gordeeva et al., ). This substitution line contains 475.7 μg g anthocyanins compared to nil in S 29. Despite carrying the entire chromosome substitution, the 1,000-seed weight, milling, and dough characteristics were comparable or slightly lower than S29. Using genetic markers such as Pp3 and Pp-D1 (which regulate purple pericarp color) and morphological characteristics, the researchers developed a number of advanced bread wheat lines with multiple resistance to diseases and purple-seeded characteristics adapted to the West Siberian region and suitable for functional food production (Gordeeva et al., ). Colored grain wheat lines, with black ones having highest total anthocyanin content followed by blue, purple, and white have also been developed (Garg et al., ). The yield was similar to those of checks (amber wheat) in regional adaptation trials in India. The National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI, Mohali) implemented a pilot project with support from the industry to develop three colored wheat cultivars, namely, “NABIMG-11-Black,” “NABIMG-10-Purple,” and “NABIMG-9-Blue” seed types (Garg, ,,; , ). The private sector entrepreneurs are involved through contract farming in the production, popularization, and marketing of processed colored wheat-based products in India. The black wheat cultivar “NABIMG-11-Black” has been gaining popularity among farmers, industry and consumers due to its potential health benefits as well as high-income generation potential. Its comparable yield (3.9 t ha) and seed weight (43 g 1,000-seed) with control PBW621 (yield, 4.1 t ha; 1000-seed weight, 38 g) after multi-season testing, showed the potential for significantly expanding its cultivation (NABI Annual Report, 2018–2019; https://nabi.res.in/cms?slug=annual-reports ). Contract farming refers to agricultural production following an agreement between a buyer and farmer. −1 −1 −1
RO acknowledges the grant funding through the PlantePigment and Annatto projects led by Chr.HansenA/S through the projects from Green Development and Demonstration Program (GUDP, Denmark) and Innovationsfonden (Denmark), respectively. AM thanks the support of the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA. MG acknowledges the funding support of the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India. The funders were not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication.
Sources of information:
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