www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

Cassava is an important food crop in tropical developing countries. It is a
rich source for carbohydrates, but is low in vitamins and proteins, November
2006.

Consumers who rely mostly on this crop as staple may encounter protein
energy malnutrition (PEM). To help prevent PEM, biotechnological strategies
may be used to increase the levels of protein and essential amino acids in
cassava tubers.

In the review by Martin Stupak and colleagues, they cited that due to the
genetic nature of cassava, crop improvement through classical breeding is
difficult. They suggest that the quickest way to accomplish biofortification
(the process of breeding food crops that are rich in micronutrients) of
cassava roots is to introduce genes from other plants.

Stupak and colleagues also suggests that artificially designed proteins with
an optimized essential amino acid composition may also be used. Their review
published by the journal Trends in Food Science & Technology outlines
several ways to accomplish this.

The abstract, with links to the full paper for subscribers, can be accessed
at:
[dx.doi.org].

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