Author
 |
Grusak, Michael |
|
DELLAPENNA, DEAN - UNIV. NEVADA-RENO |
|
Submitted to: Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology Review
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Interpretive Summary not needed for this 115. Technical Abstract: Plant foods contain almost all of the mineral and organic nutrients established as essential for human nutrition, as well as a number of unique organic phytochemicals that have been linked to the promotion of good health. Because the concentrations of many of these dietary constituents are often low in edible plant sources, research is underway to understand the physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms which contribute t their transport, synthesis and accumulation in plants. This knowledge can be used to develop strategies with which to manipulate crop plants, and thereby improve their nutritional quality. Improvement strategies will differ between various nutrients, but generalizations can be made for mineral or organic nutrients. This review focuses on the plant nutritional physiology and biochemistry of two essential human nutrients, iron and vitamin E, to provide examples of the type of information that is needed, and the strategies that can be used, to improve the mineral or organic nutrient composition of plants. |
