Localisation of iron and zinc in grain of biofortified wheat. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wan, Yongfang; Stewart, Theodora; Amrahli, Maral; Evans, Jessica; Sharp, Paul; Govindan, Velu; Hawkesford, Malcolm J.; Shewry, Peter R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cereal science. Volume 105(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Wheat grain -- Biofortification -- Micronutrients -- LA-ICP-MS -- Localisation -- Zinc -- Iron; Grain -- Periodicals; Cereal products -- Periodicals; Céréales -- Périodiques; Produits céréaliers -- Périodiques; Cereal products; Grain; Periodicals; 664.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcs.2022.103470
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-5210

Abstract

Abstract: The dietary contributions of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) from cereals are determined by concentrations, locations and chemical forms. A genetically biofortified wheat line showed higher concentrations of Zn and Fe than three control lines when grown over two years. The mineral distributions determined using imaging (histochemical staining and LA-ICP-MS), sequential pearling and hand dissection showed no consistent differences between the two lines. Fe was most abundant in the aleurone layer and the scutellum and Zn in the scutellar epithelium, the endosperm transfer cells and embryonic axis. Pearling fractions showed positive correlations between the concentration of P and those of Zn and Fe in all fractions except the outermost layer. This is consistent with Fe and Zn being concentrated in phytates. Developing grains showed decreasing gradients in concentration from the proximal to the distal ends. The concentrations of Fe and Zn were therefore higher in the biofortified line than the control lines but their locations did not differ. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A genetically biofortified wheat line had higher contents of zinc and iron in grain. The locations of the minerals were similar in the biofortified and control lines. Zinc is more highly concentrated in the embryo including the axis. The contents of Fe and Zn were correlated with P contents. Hence the bioavailability of the minerals is unlikely to differ between the lines.