Biofortifkation: A strategy to remove malnutrition and achieve sustainable development goals

Abstract

Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutrient content, including micronutrient content (Zn, Fe and vitamins) and a strategy to achieve different United Nations - Sustainable Development Goals. Biofortification aims to boost the nutritional value of crops during their growth rather than after they've been processed into foods. Biofortification is a new field of study based on varietal crop trials conducted over the last decade with staple food crops that have been biofortified using traditional plant breeding methods in their respective regional staple crops, such as wheat and rice in South Asia, cassava in Africa, wheat and maize in Latin America, and so on. Biofortification of staple food crops is a cost-effective and long-term solution. Once a variety with a high content of an essential nutrient is developed, it can be maintained indefinitely. The elemental composition of a sample can be identified and quantified using X-ray spectra. Use X-Ray Fluorescence Technology (XRF) to screen for Zn/Fe in various staple crop germplasm around the world. According to the findings of the trials, biofortified food crops have a positive impact on nutritional and functional health outcomes. Additional implementation research will be required to ensure that the beneficial impact of this intervention is maximized and that scaling up is smooth to make biofortification a long-term public health intervention. © 2022 Nova Science Publishers, Inc..