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Modification of Plant Nutrient Content

The document discusses Golden Rice, a genetically modified rice that contains beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is a major health problem in many countries, causing blindness and worsening other illnesses. Rice normally lacks the enzymes to produce beta-carotene. Golden Rice was developed by introducing genes from daffodil and bacteria that provide the full pathway to produce beta-carotene in rice grains. This makes Golden Rice a potential solution to provide vitamin A through a staple crop without needing distribution of supplements.

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Ilayaraja Barnabas
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29 views

Modification of Plant Nutrient Content

The document discusses Golden Rice, a genetically modified rice that contains beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is a major health problem in many countries, causing blindness and worsening other illnesses. Rice normally lacks the enzymes to produce beta-carotene. Golden Rice was developed by introducing genes from daffodil and bacteria that provide the full pathway to produce beta-carotene in rice grains. This makes Golden Rice a potential solution to provide vitamin A through a staple crop without needing distribution of supplements.

Uploaded by

Ilayaraja Barnabas
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture 16 &17

Modification of plant nutrient content

The Golden Rice Story


Vitamin A deficiency is a major health problem
Causes blindness Influences severity of diarrhea, measles

>100 million children suffer from the problem For many countries, the infrastructure doesnt exist to deliver vitamin pills Improved vitamin A content in widely consumed crops an attractive alternative

-Carotene Pathway Problem in Plants


IPP Geranylgeranyl diphosphate
Phytoene synthase

Phytoene

Problem: Rice lacks these enzymes

Phytoene desaturase

-carotene desaturase

Lycopene
Lycopene-beta-cyclase
Normal Vitamin A Deficient Rice

-carotene (vitamin A precursor)

The Golden Rice Solution


-Carotene Pathway Genes Added IPP Geranylgeranyl diphosphate
Daffodil gene Phytoene synthase

Phytoene

Vitamin A Pathway is complete and functional

Phytoene desaturase Single bacterial gene; performs both functions

-carotene desaturase

Lycopene
Daffodil gene Golden Rice

Lycopene-beta-cyclase

-carotene (vitamin A precursor)

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