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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2002 Publication Date: 10/1/2002 Citation: GRUSAK, M.A. NUTRITIONALLY ENHANCED FOODS DEVELOPED VIA BIOTECHNOLOGY: STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES. ABSTRACTS OF THE 2002 INTERNATIONAL LIFE SCIENCES INSTITUTE ANNUAL MEETING. 2002. p.85-86. Interpretive Summary: Interpretive summary is not required for this abstract. Technical Abstract: The plant kingdom offers a multitude of potential food products which humans have selected from and attempted to improve upon over the ages. As a group, plant-derived foods can supply almost all of the micro- and macronutrients established as essential for human existence (the exceptions being vitamins B12 and D), as well as a number of unique phytochemicals that have been linked to the promotion of good health. Unfortunately, not all plant foods contain a full complement of these essential nutrients or health-promoting compounds, nor do they usually contain these components at sufficient density to attain recommended dietary intakes in a reasonable serving size. Thus, with these limitations of plant foods, along with the behavioral problems of low fruit and vegetable consumption by many consumers, plant scientists have been working to manipulate and enhance the nutritional quality of our plant-based food supply as a means to ensure optimal health and well-being. To achieve this goal, current and emerging methods in genomic analysis and plant biotechnology are proving to be important and successful approaches. In this presentation, we will discuss the achievements made to date, the strategies and constraints related to further plant manipulations, and the future targets and potential for nutritionally enhanced transgenic crops. |
