Steering biofortification of Zn, Fe and Se in staple cereals (wheat, maize and rice) for micronutrient hunger mitigation: from trials to industrialized food products.

Authors

Haiyong Xia, Hao Yang, Liping Ma, Licheng Song, Peiguo Zhao, Daiyin Chao, Xiaoba Wu, Chunming Liu, Caixian Tang, Fang-Jie Zhao

Published in

Journal of advanced research. Aug 30, 2026. Epub Aug 30, 2026.

Abstract

"Hidden hunger" caused by zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se) deficiencies remains a major global health challenge, especially for populations relying on cereal-based diets in developing countries. While conventional food fortification and dietary supplementation work, biofortification of staple cereals (wheat, maize, and rice) through agronomic practices and breeding/biotechnological approaches offers a sustainable, food-based solution with long-term impact. However, existing literature has two key gaps. (1) Fragmented analysis: a lack of systematic cross-nutrient, cross-crop analysis of Zn/Fe/Se biofortification feasibility across wheat, maize, and rice. (2) Disconnection from industry: insufficient integration of agronomic and breeding/biotechnological technologies with food processing, market demand, and consumer health outcomes-failing to scale up trial results into industrialized products.
This review seeks to address the aforementioned knowledge gaps and outline a conceptual framework to help bridge the "trial-to-industry" divide in Zn/Fe/Se biofortification of staple cereals, aiming to support researchers, policymakers, and food enterprises in joint efforts to mitigate global micronutrient malnutrition and advance the United Nations 2030 "Zero Hunger" Goal.
The biofortification feasibility (levels of difficulty, similarities, and differences) of Zn, Fe, and Se in wheat, maize, and rice was systematically compared. It is easier to biofortify Se than Zn and Fe. Recent agronomic innovations, including drone-based foliar spraying, nanofertilizers, and integrated soil-crop system management, show significant promise for scalable biofortification. To develop consumer-acceptable micronutrient-enriched functional agri-food products complying with nutrition labeling and health claim regulations, several critical advances are needed: improved translocation and biosynthesis of Zn/Fe-nitrogen/protein complexes into the endosperm, advanced Zn/Fe-preserving "whole-ingredient" processing and selenomethionine extraction, and strengthened clinical evidence, policy frameworks and market guidance (particularly for Se safety). Finally, this review outlines a staged, comprehensive roadmap for integrating innovation across the industrial chain and clarifies the industrialization progress and technical maturity of each micronutrient.

PMID:
42669379
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 31 Aug 2026.

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