Changfu Zhu

TL;DR: This review, contributed by scientists of complementary disciplines related to carotenoid research, covers recent advances and provides a perspective on future directions on the subjects of carotENoid metabolism, biotechnology, and nutritional and health benefits.

TL;DR: E elite inbred South African transgenic corn plants are created in which the levels of 3 vitamins were increased specifically in the endosperm through the simultaneous modification of 3 separate metabolic pathways, opening the way for the development of nutritionally complete cereals to benefit the world's poorest people.

TL;DR: This work recovered a diverse population of transgenic plants expressing different enzyme combinations and showing distinct metabolic phenotypes that allowed them to identify and complement rate-limiting steps in the pathway and to demonstrate competition between β-carotene hydroxylase and bacterial β- carotene ketolase for substrates in 4 sequential steps of the extended pathway.

TL;DR: Current strategies for the biofortification of crops are reviewed, including mineral fertilization and conventional breeding but focusing on transgenic approaches which offer the most rapid way to develop high-nutrient commercial cultivars are reviewed.

TL;DR: A critical comparison of the strategies that have been developed to address deficiencies in five key mineral nutrients—iodine, iron, zinc, calcium and selenium is provided and the most recent advances in genetic engineering to increase mineral levels and bioavailability in the authors' most important staple food crops are discussed.