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Bobo J. Molecular farming navigates a complex regulatory landscape. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1411943. [PMID: 39081529 PMCID: PMC11286381 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1411943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Molecular farming, the practice of engineering plants to produce recombinant proteins, presents novel challenges and opportunities for domestic markets and international trade. This article explores the multifaceted risks associated with these biotechnological advancements, including public health concerns related to recombinant animal proteins produced in plants, cross-contamination and unintended allergens, and the necessity for stringent identity preservation systems to avoid past failures. On the global stage, the trade of such genetically engineered crops brings about unique regulatory concerns, underscoring the need for internationally harmonized policies and reevaluating existing low-level presence (LLP) thresholds to address unexpected allergens. Moreover, molecular farming ventures into complex religious and ethical territories, particularly affecting communities with strict dietary laws, such as Islamic, Jewish, and those following vegan or vegetarian lifestyles. Addressing these concerns requires a collaborative approach among scientists, regulatory bodies, industry leaders, and religious figures, aiming to foster an inclusive dialogue that navigates the ethical, religious, and environmental implications of integrating animal proteins into plant-based systems. Such efforts are essential for ensuring the responsible development of molecular farming technologies, contributing to a future of sustainable, secure, and inclusive food systems that respect diverse cultural and ethical values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Bobo
- Faculty of Science, Food Systems Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Wei X, Wang J, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Long Y, Tan B, Li QX, Dong Z, Wan X. Dietary fiber and polyphenols from whole grains: effects on the gut and health improvements. Food Funct 2024; 15:4682-4702. [PMID: 38590246 DOI: 10.1039/d4fo00715h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Cereals are the main source of energy in the human diet. Compared to refined grains, whole grains retain more beneficial components, including dietary fiber, polyphenols, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Dietary fiber and bound polyphenols (biounavailable) in cereals are important active substances that can be metabolized by the gut microorganisms and affect the intestinal environment. There is a close relationship between the gut microbiota structures and various disease phenotypes, although the consistency of this link is affected by many factors, and the specific mechanisms are still unclear. Remodeling unfavorable microbiota is widely recognized as an important way to target the gut and improve diseases. This paper mainly reviews the interaction between the gut microbiota and cereal-derived dietary fiber and polyphenols, and also summarizes the changes to the gut microbiota and possible molecular mechanisms of related glycolipid metabolism. The exploration of single active ingredients in cereals and their synergistic health mechanisms will contribute to a better understanding of the health benefits of whole grains. It will further help promote healthier whole grain foods by cultivating new varieties with more potential and optimizing processing methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wei
- Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
- Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6706 KN, The Netherlands
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
| | - Yaxuan Wang
- Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
| | - Yan Long
- Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
| | - Bin Tan
- Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Qing X Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Zhenying Dong
- Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
| | - Xiangyuan Wan
- Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China.
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Skrzypczak D, Lale D, Mikula K, Izydorczyk G, Połomska X, Matejko M, Moustakas K, Witek-Krowiak A, Chojnacka K. Maximizing the potential of leachate from sewage sludge as a sustainable nutrients source to alleviate the fertilizer crisis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 338:117794. [PMID: 36996565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Leachate from separate digesters in biological wastewater treatment plants contains valuable biogenic compounds that can serve as fertilizer nutrients. In this study, a method was developed to utilize leachate from sewage sludge dewatering as a raw material for the preparation of a plant conditioner, providing water, nutrients, and growth-stimulating amino acids. A chemical conditioning procedure (65% HNO3) was used to prepare the leachate solution for fertilization. The feasibility of producing an amino acid-based fertilizer using shrimp shells and inorganic acids (96% H2SO4 and 85% H3PO4) was also demonstrated. Microbiological analysis confirmed the safety of the formulations, and chelation of micronutrients with available amino acids was proven (up to 100% chelating degree). The bioavailability of all nutrients was confirmed through extraction tests (extraction in neutral ammonium citrate). Germination tests showed similar fresh plant masses to those with commercial preparations, demonstrating the effectiveness of the developed technology. This approach aligns with circular economy principles and sustainable development and contributes to mitigating the impacts of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid Skrzypczak
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 50-370, Poland.
| | - Derya Lale
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 50-370, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Mikula
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 50-370, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Izydorczyk
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 50-370, Poland
| | - Xymena Połomska
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 51-630, Poland
| | - Michalina Matejko
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 50-370, Poland
| | - Konstantinos Moustakas
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., Zographou Campus, GR-15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Witek-Krowiak
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 50-370, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Chojnacka
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, 50-370, Poland
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Bibliometric Analysis of Functional Crops and Nutritional Quality: Identification of Gene Resources to Improve Crop Nutritional Quality through Gene Editing Technology. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15020373. [PMID: 36678244 PMCID: PMC9865409 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Food security and hidden hunger are two worldwide serious and complex challenges nowadays. As one of the newly emerged technologies, gene editing technology and its application to crop improvement offers the possibility to relieve the pressure of food security and nutrient needs. In this paper, we analyzed the research status of quality improvement based on gene editing using four major crops, including rice, soybean, maize, and wheat, through a bibliometric analysis. The research hotspots now focus on the regulatory network of related traits, quite different from the technical improvements to gene editing in the early stage, while the trends in deregulation in gene-edited crops have accelerated related research. Then, we mined quality-related genes that can be edited to develop functional crops, including 16 genes related to starch, 15 to lipids, 14 to proteins, and 15 to other functional components. These findings will provide useful reference information and gene resources for the improvement of functional crops and nutritional quality based on gene editing technology.
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Wei X, Yang W, Wang J, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Long Y, Tan B, Wan X. Health Effects of Whole Grains: A Bibliometric Analysis. Foods 2022; 11:foods11244094. [PMID: 36553836 PMCID: PMC9777732 DOI: 10.3390/foods11244094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole grains have been recommended in the diet in most countries, with numerous publications focusing on their health effect. A systematic analysis of these publications on different research methods, regions and perspectives will contribute to an understanding of the innovation pattern in this field. This bibliometric study analyzes the global publication characteristics, hotspots and frontiers of whole grain health benefit research, and discusses the trends and prospects of this topic. The overall number of publications is on the rise, with the United States contributing the most publications. The most cited literature shows that observational studies, systematic reviews and meta-analysis are the most widely used methods. The main focus in this area is on dietary fiber and bioactive substances, while the latter has received increased attention in recent years in particular. With the increasingly prominent problems of hidden hunger and chronic disease, the development of whole grain foods and their optimum intake have gradually become hot topics. In addition to the need to reveal the mechanism of whole grain health effects, consensus needs to be reached on standards and definitions for whole grain foods, and attention should be paid to the retention of taste and healthy nutrients in processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wei
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China
- Beijing Beike Institute of Precision Medicine and Health Technology, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Wei Yang
- College of Basic Science, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China
- Beijing Beike Institute of Precision Medicine and Health Technology, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China
- Beijing Beike Institute of Precision Medicine and Health Technology, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Yaxuan Wang
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China
- Beijing Beike Institute of Precision Medicine and Health Technology, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Yan Long
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China
- Beijing Beike Institute of Precision Medicine and Health Technology, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Bin Tan
- Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, Beijing 100037, China
- Correspondence: (B.T.); (X.W.); Tel.: +86-132-6143-7257 (B.T.); +86-186-0056-1850 (X.W.)
| | - Xiangyuan Wan
- Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School, Research Center of Biology and Agriculture, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100024, China
- Beijing Beike Institute of Precision Medicine and Health Technology, Beijing 100192, China
- Correspondence: (B.T.); (X.W.); Tel.: +86-132-6143-7257 (B.T.); +86-186-0056-1850 (X.W.)
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Tao H, Li L, He Y, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Wang Q, Hong G. Flavonoids in vegetables: improvement of dietary flavonoids by metabolic engineering to promote health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:3220-3234. [PMID: 36218329 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2131726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Flavonoids are the most abundant polyphenols in plants, and have antioxidant effects as well as other bioactivities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective effects). Vegetables are rich in flavonoids and are indispensable in our daily diet. Moreover, the vegetables as chassis for producing natural products would emerge as a promising means for cost-effective and sustainable production of flavonoids. Understanding the metabolic engineering of flavonoids in vegetables allows us to improve their nutrient composition. In this review, a comprehensive overview of flavonoids in vegetables, including the characterized types and distribution, health-promoting effects, associated metabolic pathways, and applied metabolic engineering are provided. We also introduce breakthroughs in multi-omics approaches that pertain to the elucidation of flavonoids metabolism in vegetables, as well as prospective and potential genome-editing technologies. Based on the varied composition and content of flavonoids among vegetables, dietary suggestions are further provided for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Tao
- Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linying Li
- Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuqing He
- Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xueying Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiaomei Wang
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gaojie Hong
- Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Talens-Perales D, Nicolau-Sanus M, Polaina J, Daròs JA. Expression of an extremophilic xylanase in Nicotiana benthamiana and its use for the production of prebiotic xylooligosaccharides. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15743. [PMID: 36131073 PMCID: PMC9492658 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19774-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A gene construct encoding a xylanase, which is active in extreme conditions of temperature and alkaline pH (90 °C, pH 10.5), has been transitorily expressed with high efficiency in Nicotiana benthamiana using a viral vector. The enzyme, targeted to the apoplast, accumulates in large amounts in plant tissues in as little as 7 days after inoculation, without detrimental effects on plant growth. The properties of the protein produced by the plant, in terms of resistance to temperature, pH, and enzymatic activity, are equivalent to those observed when Escherichia coli is used as a host. Purification of the plant-produced recombinant xylanase is facilitated by exporting the protein to the apoplastic space. The production of this xylanase by N. benthamiana, which avoids the hindrances derived from the use of E. coli, namely, intracellular production requiring subsequent purification, represents an important step for potential applications in the food industry in which more sustainable and green products are continuously demanded. As an example, the use of the enzyme producing prebiotic xylooligosdaccharides from xylan is here reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Talens-Perales
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Nicolau-Sanus
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València), 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Julio Polaina
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
| | - José-Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat Politècnica de València), 46022, Valencia, Spain.
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