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Biofortification

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Estimated time: 4 minutes
CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Biofortification

Biofortification is the breeding of crop plants to increase their content of vitamins, minerals, proteins or healthy fats in order to improve human nutrition and public health.

Maharashtra State Board: Class 12

Key Points: Biofortification

  • Meaning — Biofortification is the method of breeding crops for higher levels of vitamins, minerals and fats to improve nutritive value and overcome malnutrition.
  • Methods — Achieved through conventional selective breeding or r-DNA technology. Nutrients can also be supplemented from outside.
  • Objectives — Improving protein content & quality, oil content & quality, vitamin content, and micronutrient content & quality.
  • Examples — Maize → 2x lysine & tryptophan, Wheat Atlas 66 → high protein, Rice → 5x more iron, Carrot & Spinach → more Vitamin A & minerals.
  • IARI Contribution — Vitamin C-enriched bitter gourd and tomato were developed by IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute).
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