Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) a suitable vehicle for Biofortification strategies to increase yellow pigment content in staple cereal based food: A review

Sandeep K Chaurasia

Volume : VI, Issue : II, February - 2016

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) a suitable vehicle for Biofortification strategies to increase yellow pigment content in staple cereal based food: A review

Sandeep K Chaurasia

Abstract :

In effort to reduce micronutrient malnutrition in human populations, Biofortification is the best sustainable and cost effective way, nowadays various efforts to biofortify various staple crops are under progress. Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) because of its quality and high nutritional value can serve as a suitable vehicle for biofortification of cereal based food to ensure nutritional security to humanity. Grain yellow pigment content (GYPC) is an important trait that determines pasta and other product quality. The main objective of this review is to examine the genetics regulating GYPC and to provide a comprehensive literature for wheat eeders to increase Pro vitamin A (β–carotene) for consumers. Although GYPC is a polygenic trait, its high heritability has facilitated eeding internationally. GYPC is influenced by two major loci with additive effects plus several minor genes, and this study provide evidence showing that the Phytoene synthase loci PSY1A and PSY1B are strong candidate genes that regulate GYPC, using functional markers available for these putative QTL it is easy to validate the transfer of important Psy loci for development of superior wheat varieties for GYPC.