Boffins develop ‘healthy’ wheat

WHEAT with the ability to help the body digest important minerals has been developed by scientists, providing a possible benefit to developing countries.

The scientists, from Aarhus University, Denmark, were on the lookout for cereal genes that affect the availability of vital minerals in feed and foods.

Some of the reported benefits of the unique wheat included stronger legs in fast-growing broiler chickens, reduced phosphorus emissions to the environment, improved health for undernourished populations in developing countries and better use of scarce resources.

Minerals such as phosphorus are often tightly bound in phytate (the main storage form of phosphorus in many plant tissues). The enzyme phytase helps to break down phytate, which increases the available minerals for the body.

“We found a mutant in which the phytase genes are expressed more powerfully than in ordinary cereals, resulting in increased phytase activity,” said associate Professor Henrik Brinch-Pedersen, from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics.

The wheat could also be of significant benefit to people in developing countries.

“Seven hundred million people worldwide suffer from iron deficiency because of the high phytate level of their diets.

“If wheat containing its own phytate-metabolising enzyme became available, this could significantly improve the health of the population in many of these countries,” said Brinch-Pedersen.

The wheat type, named HIGHPHY, was optimised and patented in co-operation with the British company Plant Bioscience Ltd.

HIGHPHY could also potentially be used by organic farmers.

“Organic farmers cannot add enzymes to animal feed. This problem is easily solved by using the patented wheat, which has been naturally produced via ordinary breeding efforts.” – ANA