While food grains serve as a source of nutrition, grains also possess potential antinutrients; for example, cereals contain phytic acid, which affects the bioavailability of micronutrients in humans. This has a direct impact on increasing hidden hunger among the population.
Other antinutritional factors include cyanogens and cyanogenic glucosides, enzyme inhibitors (amylase, lipase, protease, etc.), erucic acid, exorphins, goitrogens, lectins/hemagglutinins, lipoxygenases, nitrates, oxalate and oxalic acid, raffinose oligosaccharides, saponins, some phenolic compounds, etc. These molecules have ill effects on human health as they interfere with the biological system upon consumption.
Thus, several international laboratories are working towards identifying the genetic determinants of antinutrient biosynthesis using GWAS and/or functional genomics tools, characterizing the pathway underlying antinutrient biosynthesis and accumulation using omics approaches, and targeted editing or manipulation of the genes/alleles/QTLs regulating this trait. Also, efforts are invested in developing low antinutrient lines using genomics-assisted breeding.
In this context, this Research Topic aims to attract researchers working in this area to contribute their Original Research, Review, Opinion, and Perspective articles. Thus, this Topic will serve as a compendium of resources on antinutrient research and encourage other labs with similar interests to pursue research to address this critical issue.
While food grains serve as a source of nutrition, grains also possess potential antinutrients; for example, cereals contain phytic acid, which affects the bioavailability of micronutrients in humans. This has a direct impact on increasing hidden hunger among the population.
Other antinutritional factors include cyanogens and cyanogenic glucosides, enzyme inhibitors (amylase, lipase, protease, etc.), erucic acid, exorphins, goitrogens, lectins/hemagglutinins, lipoxygenases, nitrates, oxalate and oxalic acid, raffinose oligosaccharides, saponins, some phenolic compounds, etc. These molecules have ill effects on human health as they interfere with the biological system upon consumption.
Thus, several international laboratories are working towards identifying the genetic determinants of antinutrient biosynthesis using GWAS and/or functional genomics tools, characterizing the pathway underlying antinutrient biosynthesis and accumulation using omics approaches, and targeted editing or manipulation of the genes/alleles/QTLs regulating this trait. Also, efforts are invested in developing low antinutrient lines using genomics-assisted breeding.
In this context, this Research Topic aims to attract researchers working in this area to contribute their Original Research, Review, Opinion, and Perspective articles. Thus, this Topic will serve as a compendium of resources on antinutrient research and encourage other labs with similar interests to pursue research to address this critical issue.
