London, (ANI): A scientist duo has found a way to boost the nutritional value of corn-a feat that could reduce the number of children in developing countries who lose their eyesight, become ill or die each year because of vitamin A deficiencies.
Corn contains carotenoids, some of which the body can convert to vitamin A.
Beta-carotene is the best vitamin A precursor, but only a very small percentage of corn varieties have naturally high beta-carotene levels.
In Africa and other developing regions, corn is a major staple and hundreds of thousands of children become blind, develop weakened immune systems and die because of diets based largely on corn that lacks sufficient beta-carotene.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists Marilyn Warburton and Edward Buckler identified genetic sequences linked to higher beta-carotene levels in corn and demonstrating an inexpensive and fast way to identify corn plants that will produce even higher levels.
The study is considered a breakthrough in nutritional plant breeding, reports Nature.
In the study, the researchers surveyed the genetic sequences of corn from around the world through association mapping, a method made possible by recent breakthroughs that accelerate the genetic profiling of crops.
