Seeds for a better future: ‘low phytate’ grains help to overcome malnutrition and reduce pollution

doi:10.1016/S1360-1385(01)02104-5

Trends in Plant Science

Volume 6, Issue 10, 1 October 2001, Pages 458-462

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1360-1385(01)02104-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

myo-Inositol(1,2,3,4,5,6)hexakisphosphate (InsP₆ or ‘phytic acid’) was first known as the storage form of phosphorus in seeds. Seed-derived dietary InsP₆ can contribute to iron and zinc deficiency in human populations. Excretion of ‘phytic acid phosphorus’ by non-ruminants such as poultry, swine and fish can contribute to water pollution. Sustainable solutions to these important problems might depend on progress in the molecular biology and genetics of InsP₆ accumulation during seed development. The development of ‘low phytate’ grain and legume genotypes could help advance our understanding of this biology, and when used in foods and feeds might help to reduce human malnutrition and reduce animal waste phosphorus.

Section snippets

InsP₆ in cell biology

Our view of the role of InsP₆ in cell biology has altered radically in the past two decades. First it became clear that InsP₆ is ubiquitous in eukaryotic species, and is typically the most abundant inositol phosphate found in eukaryotic cells ⁶. This development was an outcome of research into inositol phosphates in signal transduction pathways that first focused on the metabolism of inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P₃]. Another major development was the finding that more highly

InsP₆ in human health and animal nutrition

In terms of human health, dietary InsP₆ might have both negative and positive roles ¹⁴. Although excretion of mixed phytate salts can contribute to mineral deficiency in populations in the developing world that rely on grains and legumes as staple foods, recent studies have shown that dietary InsP₆ might also have beneficial health effects, for example as an anti-cancer agent and anti-oxidant 14, 15. Clearly, the impact of dietary InsP₆ must be considered on a case-by-case basis. In a sense,

Concluding remarks

These new ‘low phytate’ types of cultivars and hybrids represent a ‘first generation’ technology. No doubt they can be improved upon with additional breeding, or replaced with second-generation bioengineered ‘low phytates’. Although they are in a technical sense certainly genetically modified compared with other cultivars and hybrids, they are ‘non-GMO’ according to most definitions in that they are non-transgenic (have no genes from alien species introduced into their genomes). Although it is

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Trends in Plant Science

OpinionSeeds for a better future: ‘low phytate’ grains help to overcome malnutrition and reduce pollution

Abstract

Section snippets

InsP6 in cell biology

InsP6 in human health and animal nutrition

Concluding remarks

Biochem. Pharmacol.

Cell

Nutr. Res.

J. Biol. Chem.

Plant Sci.

J. Plant Physiol.

Inositol phosphates: Their chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physiology

Accumulation and storage of phosphate and minerals

Phytic acid and phosphorus in crop seeds and fruits: a global estimate

Seed Sci. Res.

Bioavailability of trace minerals from cereals and legumes

Cereal Chem.