Agri Leader

Scientists trying to cram more nutrition into foods

RODOLFO ROMAN
Published: September 26, 2012

To get our daily dose of vitamins, many depend on pills. But soon many will do without them.

Scientists at the University of Florida have developed plant databases and models that could lead to food rich in nutrition.

Using virtual plants, the computer databases developed show how and where riboflavin, better known as vitamin B2, is created. This information could later serve as a guide to plant breeding, which may open doors to figuring out how to increase vitamins in vegetation.

Researcher Andrew Hanson said figuring out what isn't known is a way to discover the missing links to more nutritious plants.

"It's a roadmap for everyone in plant science," he said in a phone interview.

The paper describing the database is titled, Plant B Vitamin Pathways and their Compartmentation: a Guide for the Perplexed.

About seven scientists worked on the project, which took about two years, although, researchers have been working on projects on this for years. Researchers used maize for the project. Researchers at Michigan State University also assisted.

The professor, who works for the Horticultural Sciences Department of University of Florida-Institute of Food Agricultural Sciences, said the database could bring a positive outlook in plant science.

"Until you clearly define, you don't really know what you are supposed to look for," he said.

The project signifies many benefits for developed and Third World countries.

"For consumers in developed countries it means that they will breed fruits and vegetables with better vitamins. Plants will have more nutrients and people won't count on pills. In Third World countries, they can also develop different crops with more vitamins too," he said.

He doesn't discount pills as being bad, but vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins has a better ring to it. All plants vary in the amount of vitamins found inside.

"There's lots more focus in breeding color in vegetables and fruits," he said. "Also, to maintain the quality and when it is stored and that it retains the nutrition."

Depending on age and sex, one to three cups is the average daily serving of vegetables suggested for a healthy diet, according to www.choosemyplate.gov.

Knowing that vegetables have more vitamins is a plus.

"There is more importance in people's diet," he said. "If you know they got good content it will motivate you to take them."

Breeding foods with more vitamins means vegetables will be colorful.

"I think it will be very good if we would eat more attractive foods," he said. "That's the reason why University of Florida has an important breeding department."

He added that the "roadmap" will clearly make it easier for current and future researchers figuring out what is needed to be discovered.