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Climate change

Gene Editing Strategies for Sustainable Food Development in India

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) have highlighted the potential of gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas to enhance the nutritional and flavor profiles of underutilized legumes in India. These legumes, such as Prosopis cineraria, Acacia senegal, and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, have been neglected due to their low plant yield, unidentified metabolic pathways, and off-flavor in food products. The researchers argue that gene editing can help overcome these challenges and provide a sustainable source of nutrients and health-benefitting nutraceuticals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers identified underutilized legumes like Prosopis cineraria, Acacia senegal, and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba as potential sources of sustainable food and nutrition.
  • Gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas can help improve the nutritional and flavor profiles of these legumes.
  • The current article reports success stories of gene editing in nutraceutical and flavor profiles in popular legumes.
  • The researchers highlighted gaps and future potential in underutilized edible legumes of the Indian semi-arid regions.
  • Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Tripti Joshi, Hansa Sehgal, Sumit Kumar Mandal, Mukul Joshi, and P. R. Deepa were involved in the research.
  • The research was supported by the University Grants Commission, India, and BITS, Pilani.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

Statistics:

  • There are numerous underutilized legumes growing in the Indian desert regions, which can provide balanced and sustainable sources of nutrients and health-benefitting nutraceuticals.
  • The researchers identified 3 key legumes: Prosopis cineraria, Acacia senegal, and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba.
  • Gene editing can help overcome challenges like low plant yield, unidentified metabolic pathways, and off-flavor in food products.
  • The novel gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas provide more precise tools to manipulate target genes with or without the introduction of foreign DNA.
  • The current article reports success stories of gene editing in nutraceutical and flavor profiles in popular legumes.

Sources:

  • [NewsRx. New Findings from Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Gene Editing Provides New Insights (Nutraceutical and Flavor Profiles In Underutilized Desert Legumes of India: Gene Editing Strategies Towards Sustainable Food Development). Biotech Week. May 3, 2023; p 240.]
  • [Nutraceutical and Flavor Profiles In Underutilized Desert Legumes of India: Gene Editing Strategies Towards Sustainable Food Development. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2023.]
  • [Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Springer India, 7TH Floor, Vijaya Building, 17, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, 110 001, India. (Springer - www.springer.com; Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - www.springerlink.com/content/0971-7811/)]

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