scholarly journals Screening of Provitamin-A Maize Inbred Lines for Drought Tolerance Using β-carotene Content: Morphophysiological and Biochemical Traits

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleck Kondwakwenda ◽  
Julia Sibiya ◽  
Rebecca Zengeni ◽  
Cousin Musvosvi ◽  
Samson Tesfay
Keyword(s):  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Biochemical Traits ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Β Carotene

Provitamin A maize (Zea mays L.) biofortification is an ideal complementary means of combating vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in sub-Saharan Africa where maize consumption is high coupled by high VAD incidences. However, drought remains a major abiotic constraint to maize productivity in this region. Comprehensive drought screening of initial breeding materials before advancing them is important to achieve genetic gain. In this study, 46 provitamin-A inbred lines were screened for drought tolerance in the greenhouse and field under drought and optimum conditions using β-carotene content (BCC), grain yield (GY), and selected morphophysiological and biochemical traits. The results revealed that BCC, morphophysiological and biochemical traits were effective in discriminating among genotypes. Number of ears per plant (EPP), stomatal conductance (Gs), delayed leaf senescence (SEN), leaf rolling (RL), chlorophyll content (CC) and free proline content (PC) proved to be ideal traits to use when indirectly selecting for GY by virtue of having relative efficiency of indirect selection values that are greater than unity and considerable genetic variances under either or both conditions. The findings of this study form the basis of initial germplasm selection when improving provitamin A maize for drought tolerance.

scholarly journals Grain Quality, Provitamin A Carotenoid Profiles, and Sensory Quality of Provitamin A-Biofortified Maize Stiff Porridges

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1909
Author(s):  
Daniso Beswa ◽  
Muthulisi Siwela ◽  
Eric O. Amonsou ◽  
Unathi Kolanisi
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Quality ◽  
Grain Quality ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Kernel Weight ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Grain Colour ◽  
Β Carotene

Provitamin A-biofortified maize could contribute to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa due to a high consumption of starchy, maize-based diets. Four varieties of provitamin A biofortified maize were studied for grain colour, grain texture, thousand kernel weight, and hectolitre mass. Provitamin A biofortified maize stiff porridges were prepared and their retained provitamin A was determined using lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene (all-trans and cis isomers) as standards. Provitamin A concentration in the biofortified porridges ranged from 2.24 to 3.18 µg/g and retention from 91–105%. Descriptive sensory analysis and the 5-point facial hedonic test were used to evaluate the sensory quality of the porridges. The biofortified maize porridges were described as sticky, fine, with high intensity residual grain, and having a slightly bitter aftertaste with a cooked maize flavour and aroma, whereas the intensities of these attributes were insignificant in white maize porridge. About 33% of the consumer sample (N = 60) liked the porridges and 28% disliked the porridges, whilst approximately 38% of the consumers were neutral. The findings suggest that biofortified maize stiff porridge can deliver a significant amount of provitamin A to targeted consumers, but the acceptance of biofortified maize still needs to be improved on.

scholarly journals Gene Expression and Metabolite Profiling of Thirteen Nigerian Cassava Landraces to Elucidate Starch and Carotenoid Composition

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla Olayide ◽  
Annabel Large ◽  
Linnea Stridh ◽  
Ismail Rabbi ◽  
Susanne Baldermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Starch Content ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Carotenoid Composition ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Β Carotene

The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates effective approaches to improve provitamin A content of major staple crops. Cassava holds much promise for food security in sub-Saharan Africa, but a negative correlation between β-carotene, a provitamin A carotenoid, and dry matter content has been reported, which poses a challenge to cassava biofortification by conventional breeding. To identify suitable material for genetic transformation in tissue culture with the overall aim to increase β-carotene and maintain starch content as well as better understand carotenoid composition, root and leaf tissues from thirteen field-grown cassava landraces were analyzed for agronomic traits, carotenoid, chlorophyll, and starch content. The expression of five genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis were determined in selected landraces. Analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between starch and β-carotene content, whereas there was a strong positive correlation between root yield and many carotenoids including β-carotene. Carotenoid synthesis genes were expressed in both white and yellow cassava roots, but phytoene synthase 2 (PSY2), lycopene-ε-cyclase (LCYε), and β-carotenoid hydroxylase (CHYβ) expression were generally higher in yellow roots. This study identified lines with reasonably high content of starch and β-carotene that could be candidates for biofortification by further breeding or plant biotechnological means.

scholarly journals Assessing Effect of Marker-Based Improvement of Maize Synthetics on Agronomic Performance, Carotenoid Content, Combining Ability and Heterosis

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1625
Author(s):  
Innocent Iseghohi ◽  
Ayodeji Abe ◽  
Silvestro Meseka ◽  
Wende Mengesha ◽  
Melaku Gedil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Gene Effects ◽  
Additive Gene ◽  
Β Carotene

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a serious problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and other parts of the world. Understanding the effect of marker-based improvement (MARS) of two maize synthetics (HGA and HGB) representing different heterotic groups on their agronomic performance, carotenoid content, and combining abilities could help identify suitable sources to develop divergent inbred lines for optimizing heterosis. This study involved three selection cycles each of the two synthetics and their nine varietal-cross hybrids together with a released check variety was conducted across four diverse locations in Nigeria in 2018 and 2019. Environment and hybrid effects were significant on grain yield and other agronomic traits as well as provitamin A content and other carotenoids. Genetic improvement per cycle of MARS in the parental synthetics was 15% for provitamin A, 25% for β-carotene and 26% for lutein in HGA and 4% for grain yield, 3% for zeaxanthin and 5% for α-carotene in HGB. Grain yield and agronomic traits of the two maize synthetics were controlled by additive and non-additive gene effects, while provitamin A content and other carotenoids were mainly controlled by additive gene effects. Some selection cycles which were high in grain yield and provitamin A content were identified as potential sources of new and divergent maize inbred lines in maize breeding programs. Some varietal-cross hybrids expressed significant mid-parent heterosis for grain yield and moderate mid-parent heterosis for provitamin A, β-carotene and xanthophylls. These hybrids could be commercialized at reasonable prices to small-scale farmers in rural areas that are most affected by vitamin A deficiency.

scholarly journals Sensory Analysis of a Processed Food Intended for Vitamin A Supplementation

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Zhang ◽  
George A. Cavender ◽  
Kristina R. Lewandowski ◽  
Ginnefer O. Cox ◽  
Chad M. Paton
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sensory Analysis ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Peanut Butter ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sweet Potatoes ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
Β Carotene

Provitamin A and pre-formed vitamin A compounds are essential micronutrients for humans. However, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects the health status of nearly 50% of populations in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and is especially pronounced in preschool children and pregnant women. The objective of this research was to determine an acceptable flavor/ingredient combination to produce a palatable food product that incorporates sweet potatoes, peanut paste, and chickpeas. We sought to determine the acceptability of the three product formulations and to determine the influence of demographic data on ratings for the sensory attributes of each sample. To address VAD issues, three formulations of a product incorporating sweet potato puree (to increase β-carotene content), pure peanut butter (to provide fat for β-carotene absorption), and chickpeas (to provide a complete protein source), were developed: (1) an unflavored control, and two formulations with added natural seasonings: (2) curry-flavored, and (3) pumpkin spice-flavored. Sensory analysis of the three products showed that the curry-flavored product received the highest acceptability in terms of overall liking, flavor, texture, and appearance (p < 0.001). Since the demographic effect was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), it is highly likely that the curry-flavored product can be implemented in other countries or areas with high acceptability.

scholarly journals SNP rs6564851 in the BCO1 Gene Is Associated with Varying Provitamin a Plasma Concentrations but Not with Retinol Concentrations among Adolescents from Rural Ghana

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1786
Author(s):  
Sophie Graßmann ◽  
Olga Pivovarova-Ramich ◽  
Andrea Henze ◽  
Jens Raila ◽  
Yaw Ampem Amoako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Rural Ghana ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Plasma Retinol

In sub-Saharan Africa, vitamin A deficiency constitutes a severe health problem despite various supplementation and food fortification programs. Given that the intake of preformed vitamin A from animal products remains low in these countries, an efficient metabolization of plant-based provitamin A carotenoids is essential. Previously, adolescents in rural Ghana have shown high total plasma carotenoid concentrations, while 36% had a vitamin A deficiency (defined as plasma retinol < 0.7 µmol/L). Hence, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the relationships between variants in the β-carotene 15,15’-oxygenase (BCO1) gene and plasma carotenoid concentrations among 189 15-year-old girls and boys in rural Ghana. BCO1 rs6564851, rs7500996, rs10048138 and PKD1L2 rs6420424, and rs8044334 were typed, and carotenoid concentrations were compared among the different genotypes. G allele carriers of rs6564851 (53%) showed higher plasma carotenoid concentrations than T allele carriers (median (interquartile range): 3.07 (2.17–4.02) vs. 2.59 (2.21–3.50) µmol/L, p-value = 0.0424). This was not explained by differences in socio-demographic or dietary factors. In contrast, no differences in plasma retinol concentrations were observed between these genotypes. Pending verification in independent populations, the low conversion efficiency of provitamin A carotenoids among rs6564851 G allele carriers may undermine existing fortification and supplementation programs to improve the vitamin A status in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Orange fleshed sweet potato a nutrition sensitive functional food for possible dietary approach to vitamin A deficiency and undernutrition

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 645-651
Author(s):  
Jyotsna Khanam ◽  
Sheikh Faisal Asadullah Mahdi ◽  
Monera Ahsan ◽  
Sheikh Nazrul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sweet Potatoes ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
Sensitive Function ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Nutrition Sensitive ◽  
Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato ◽  
Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes

Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSPs) is an excellent nutrition sensitive function food. It contains dense amount of carotene and is also rich in proximate nutrients. A wide number of cultivars of OFSPs has been developed worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. In Bangladesh, sixteen cultivars have been developed. Carotene content in the OFSPs surpasses all of the plant food carotene. OFSPs also contains good content of energy yielding nutrients. The Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes could, therefore, be a potential dietary approach to address the vitamin A deficiency for undernourished indigent people.

SSR-based and carotenoid diversity assessment of tropical yellow endosperm maize inbred lines

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oyenike Adeyemo ◽  
Olusesan Omidiji
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Ssr Markers ◽  
Polymorphic Information Content ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Maize Inbred Lines ◽  
Diversity Assessment

Yellow endosperm maize can be used to reduce vitamin A deficiency among many pre-school children and women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa. Assessment of the genetic diversity of tropical yellow endosperm maize inbred lines will have genetic gains in breeding design to develop lines with an enhanced level of provitamin A. We screened 122 tropical yellow endosperm maize inbred lines with 62 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 51 SSR loci were polymorphic. We detected 190 alleles with an average of 3.72 alleles per locus, and polymorphic information content values among the inbred lines varied from 0.12 to 0.74 with an average of 0.43. Genetic distance (GD) values among all the pairs of the 122 inbred lines varied from 0.02 to 0.61 with an average of 0.41 for the SSR markers. The inbred lines exhibited a substantial level of genetic diversity. Genetic diversity was also evaluated using carotenoid data. The Euclidean GDs varied from 1.00 to 9.97 with an average of 3.81 for the carotenoid data. Cluster and principal coordinate analyses revealed clear separation of maize inbred lines into SSR-based groupings and carotenoid-based groupings. Cluster based on SSR markers were predominantly consistent with known pedigree data of the inbred lines. The correlation using Mantel's test between carotenoid-based GD estimates and SSR marker-based GD estimates gave a low r value ( − 0.06). The grouping of lines will facilitate the selection of parental lines for making crosses to develop new lines with enhanced provitamin A content.

scholarly journals Response of Assorted Maize Germplasm to the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease in Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Sitta J. ◽  
Nzuve F. M. ◽  
Olubayo F. M. ◽  
Mutinda C. ◽  
Muiru W. M. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Maize Genotypes ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Chlorotic Mottle Virus ◽  
Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus ◽  
Chlorotic Mottle

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most widely grown staple food crop in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and occupies more than 33 million hectares each year. The recent outbreak and rapid spread of the Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease has emerged as a great challenge to maize production, threatening food security for the majority of households in the Eastern Africa region with yield loss estimated to be 50-90%. The disease is a result of synergistic interaction between two viruses, Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV). The objective of this study was to identify maize genotypes with resistance to MLN. In season one, 73 maize genotypes comprising 25 inbred lines from research institutes, 30 lines from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and 18 farmer varieties were screened for resistance to MLN. In season 2, only 48 genotypes were screened after some of the inbred lines showed complete susceptibility to MLN. These genotypes were grown in three replications in a completely randomized design in polythene bags in the greenhouse at the University of Nairobi. The plants were artificially inoculated using a mixture of SCMV and MCMV. .Weekly MLN disease severity scores using a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = highly resistant and 5 = highly susceptible) and % MLN incidence were recorded and eventually converted into Area under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) to give an indication of the disease intensity over time. The plants were allowed to grow to flowering stage to observe the effect of the MLN on the maize productivity. Analysis of Variance revealed wide genetic variation among the genotypes ranging from resistant to highly susceptible. In season 1, three farmer varieties namely MLR2, MLR11 and MLR13 showed resistance to MLN with a mean severity score of 2. In season 2, MLN12, MLN17, MLN18, MLN19, and MLR4 showed low MLN severity ranging from 2-3. The genotypes MLR6, MLR9, MLR16 and MLR18 showed MLN severity of 3 and early maturity traits. This study also validated the presence of MLN resistance among some CIMMYT lines depicted to show resistance in previous studies. These resistant genotypes could serve as donors in the introgression of the resistance into the adapted Kenyan maize backgrounds. This will go a long way in ensuring sustainable maize productivity while improving the livelihoods of the small-scale farmers who form the bulk of the major maize producers in Kenya.

scholarly journals Cassava with enhanced β-carotene maintains adequate vitamin A status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) despite substantial cis-isomer content

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Howe ◽  
Bussie Maziya-Dixon ◽  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Meriones Unguiculatus ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Mongolian Gerbils ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Isomer Content ◽  
Β Carotene

Efforts to increase β-carotene in cassava have been successful, but the ability of high-β-carotene cassava to prevent vitamin A deficiency has not been determined. Two studies investigated the bioefficacy of provitamin A in cassava and compared the effects of carotenoid content and variety on vitamin A status in vitamin A-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils were fed a vitamin A-free diet 4 weeks prior to treatment. In Expt 1, treatments (ten gerbils per group) included 45 % high-β-carotene cassava, β-carotene and vitamin A supplements (intake matched to high-β-carotene cassava group), and oil control. In Expt 2, gerbils were fed cassava feeds with 1·8 or 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g prepared with two varieties. Gerbils were killed after 4 weeks. For Expt 1, liver vitamin A was higher (P < 0·05) in the vitamin A (1·45 (sd 0·23) μmol/liver), lower in the control (0·43 (sd 0·10) μmol/liver), but did not differ from the β-carotene group (0·77 (sd 0·12) μmol/liver) when compared with the high-β-carotene cassava group (0·69 (sd 0·20) μmol/liver). The bioconversion factor was 3·7 μg β-carotene to 1 μg retinol (2 mol:1 mol), despite 48 % cis-β-carotene [(Z)-β-carotene] composition in cassava. In Expt 2, cassava feed with 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g maintained vitamin A status. No effect of cassava variety was observed. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ. β-Carotene was detected in livers of gerbils receiving cassava and supplements, but the cis-to-trans ratio in liver differed from intake. Biofortified cassava adequately maintained vitamin A status and was as efficacious as β-carotene supplementation in the gerbil model.

scholarly journals Climate Change Enhanced Carotenoid Pro-Vitamin A Levels of Selected Plantain Cultivars

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beloved Mensah Dzomeku ◽  
Julian P. Wald ◽  
Jens Norbert Wünsche ◽  
Donatus Nohr ◽  
Hans K. Biesalski
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Micronutrient Intake ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Β Carotene

Diet diversification and the exploitation of traditional, micronutrient-rich germplasm of staple crops are generally regarded as sustainable and low-cost approaches to increase the micronutrient intake of resource-poor people. Sun’s UV index was collected daily throughout the year. The study assessed the seasonality of provitamin A carotenoids in three plantain cultivars in response to climatic condition. Fruits were harvested at three maturities and freeze-dried before analysis. The results showed that there were high levels of the sun’s UV-B radiations throughout the year with the highest occurring from November to May when the area experienced clear skies with minimal cloud cover. These high levels of the sun’s UV-B index occurred between 9.00 h GMT and 17.00 h GMT. The study also showed that α-carotene content increased with maturity in “Apantu” during the rainy seasons ranging from 95 to 172 μg/100 g of dry pulp. Similar trends were observed during the dry season with a range of 28 to 489 μg/100 g. The α-carotene contents were very high in the periods of high sun’s UV-B radiations compared to the periods of low sun’s UV-B radiations. The α-carotene levels in the giant French plantains showed similar trends. Intermediate French “Oniaba” and False Horn “Apantu” plantain cultivar showed the highest content of β-carotene during the dry season. The high provitamin A carotenoid levels in the cultivars coincided with the high levels of the sun’s UV index.

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