title: Biofortification for combating 'hidden hunger' for iron.
abstract: Micronutrient deficiencies are responsible for so-called 'hidden undernutrition'. In particular, iron (Fe) deficiency adversely affects growth, immune function and can cause anaemia. However, supplementation of iron can exacerbate infectious diseases and current policies of iron therapy carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of these interventions. Here we review the approaches of biofortification of valuable crops for reducing 'hidden undernutrition' of iron in the light of the latest nutritional and medical advances. The increase of iron and prebiotics in edible parts of plants is expected to improve health, whereas the reduction of phytic acid concentration, in crops valuable for human diet, might be less beneficial for the developed countries, or for the developing countries exposed to endemic infections.
authors.affiliation: Sezione di Fisiologia e Biochimica delle Piante, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy. irene.murgia@unimi.it
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arosio
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tarantino
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soave
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000172:deficiency*; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D056692:Prebiotics
chemical_list: D019266:Iron, Dietary; D018977:Micronutrients; D056692:Prebiotics; D010833:Phytic Acid