Mining maize diversity and improving its nutritional aspects within agro-food systems.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or primary human trials
PubMed 33337075 · doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12552
What was done
This paper reviews innovations and plant breeding strategies developed to leverage maize genetic diversity and improve its nutritional profile, focusing on biofortification of macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytochemicals within agro-food systems.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative results, statistical measures, or effect sizes. It notes that maize, together with rice and wheat, accounts for 60% of the world's caloric intake, and highlights that traditional plant breeding approaches have successfully increased protein, provitamin A carotenoid, and zinc levels in maize.
Why it matters
It outlines how genetic biofortification of a globally dominant staple crop can serve as a systemic strategy to combat micro- and macronutrient deficiencies in reliant populations.
Limits
The abstract provides only a qualitative overview with zero quantitative data or synthesis metrics. It does not evaluate clinical health outcomes, bioavailability in human populations, or follow systematic review protocols.
Cited by
- supports Three food crops make up approximately 60% of human caloric intake.