Question

What is biofortification?

Hint:

Biofortification helps improve the nutritional quality of crops, making them more beneficial for populations with specific deficiencies.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding Biofortification.
Biofortification refers to the process of increasing the nutritional content of food crops through conventional breeding or genetic modification. This is done to improve the nutrient value of crops, especially in regions where deficiencies are common.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Biofortification improves the nutrient profile of plants, such as increasing the content of vitamins and minerals.
ii. Mention one example each of fortification with reference to –
a. Amino acid content
Solution:
Step 1: Example for Amino Acid Content.
An example of fortification to increase amino acid content is the fortification of maize with lysine and tryptophan.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Fortification of maize with lysine improves the nutritional content by enhancing the amino acid profile.
b. Vitamin-C content
Solution:
Step 1: Example for Vitamin-C Content.
An example of fortification for Vitamin-C content is the enhancement of potatoes with increased Vitamin-C levels.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Biofortification of potatoes increases Vitamin-C content, helping to combat deficiencies in certain populations.