Researchers uncover “switch” to boost zinc uptake in plants by 50%

24 Mar 2021 --- New research demonstrates that crops’ zinc uptake, and therefore nutritional profile, can be improved with the flip of a “molecular switch” in the plant.

The research marks a step forward for biofortification, which uses biology to increase crops’ nutrition.

Researchers achieved a 50 percent zinc increase in thale cress plant seeds (Arabidopsis thaliana), following the modification of two proteins that act as sensors and distributors for the mineral.

“This adjustment gave thale cress plants the signal that they were permanently zinc deficient. This kept the plant’s mechanism for zinc uptake active,” explains Mark Aarts, professor at the laboratory of genetics at Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and co-author of the publication.

The collaborative work among WUR, the University of Copenhagen and the University of Porto was published recently in Nature Plants. 

Zinc affects growth and development in both humans and plants.Zinc’s vital importance
Researchers have long been trying to understand how plants regulate their zinc intake, the authors write. 

Zinc is important to health because it helps maintain a large number of chemical processes and proteins in the body, including the immune system. 

NPD featuring zinc has increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic as demand for immunity supporting ingredients surged in popularity. 

Zinc deficiency can also lead to a lower IQ and impaired growth, write the researchers. 

Moreover, zinc is essential for plants themselves, and the absence of zinc has particularly detrimental effects on growth and development.

Replicating the results 
Currently, the experiment’s results are being repeated in bean, rice and tomato plants. 

“If that succeeds, we will have interesting opportunities to develop more nutritious crops with biofortification,” explains Aarts. 

The researchers note that the discovery could help address the phenomenon of “hidden hunger” due to food mineral-deficient crops grown on poor soil. 

Gene editing could accelerate the research of “switching on” nutrient uptake.He believes that biofortification is a sustainable solution to improve the micronutrient content of our food.

“Now that we know which genes are key for this, it is possible to conduct targeted breeding based on this trait. It would be even faster if specific gene editing with CRISPR-Cas could be applied. At the moment, strict regulations make this difficult in the EU.” 

However, outside the EU, where the issue of hidden hunger is most pronounced, several countries are open to such an approach, he adds. 

With new varieties that store more zinc in their seeds, crop yields can increase along with the nutritional value of the products made from them.

Nutrition Hacking
Innova Market Insights has highlighted “Nutrition Hacking” as a top trend in 2021 as science advancements seek solutions to nourishing a burgeoning world population. 

Altering crops has received mixed reactions from consumers, while more than two billion people worldwide continue to suffer from malnutrition.   

Recently, a 2020 Innova Consumer Survey found that consumers may be warming up to “biohacked” foods, with four out of five respondents affirming, “I believe in progress in food and beverages through science.”

Advancements in crops
Researchers worldwide are finding new ways to enhance crops. 

Scientists in China and Japan have developed a method to alter rice crops, increasing plant respiration through increased CO2 and nutrient intake. 

Researchers increased the expression of a rice plant gene, which resulted in a 30 percent larger yield with less fertilizers. 

Last March, the Food and Agriculture Organization stated that it encouraged governments to include biofortified inputs and foods in their programs, such as school meals and government subsidies.

By Missy Green