Summary
This review synthesises evidence on iron biofortification in cereal crops, examining plant physiological mechanisms for iron accumulation and multiple intervention pathways to enhance iron content in staple foods. The authors argue that targeted biofortification strategies may be more effective than artificial supplementation in addressing iron deficiency, particularly affecting infants and pregnant women in developing regions where over 30% of the global population faces iron deficiency risk.
Regional applicability
The UK's food security and fortification policies are well-established; however, this review's emphasis on agronomic and breeding-based biofortification of cereals may inform discussions around crop micronutrient density in temperate climates and support for developing-country food security initiatives.
Key measures
Iron concentration in cereal crops; bioavailability of iron from fortified crops; effectiveness of biofortification strategies (conventional breeding, transgenics, agronomic, microbe-mediated)
Outcomes reported
The review critically evaluates iron biofortification approaches in cereal crops, including conventional plant breeding, transgenics, agronomic interventions, and microbe-mediated methods. It analyses iron uptake, transport, accumulation, storage pathways in plants and bioavailability strategies to address iron deficiency.
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