High-carotenoid maize: development of plant biotechnology prototypes for human and animal health and nutrition

Zhu, Changfu; Farré Martinez, Gemma; Zanga, Daniela; Lloveras Vilamanyà, Jaume; Michelena Bárcena, Antonio; Ferrio Díaz, Juan Pedro; Voltas Velasco, Jordi; Slafer, Gustavo A.; Savin, Roxana; Albajes Garcia, Ramon; Eizaguirre Altuna, Matilde; López Alonso, Carmen; Cantero-Martínez, Carlos; Díaz Gómez, Joana; Nogareda, Carmina; Moreno Martínez, José Antonio; Angulo Asensio, Eduardo; Estany Illa, Joan; Pena i Subirà, Ramona Natacha; Tor i Naudí, Marc; Portero Otín, Manuel; Eritja Sánchez, Núria; Arjó Pont, Gemma; Serrano Casasola, José Carlos Enrique; Matias-Guiu, Xavier; Twyman, Richard M.; Sandmann, Gerhard; Capell Capell, Teresa; Christou, Paul

doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-017-9506-4

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Issue date

2017-06-01

Author

Zhu, Changfu

Farré Martinez, Gemma

Zanga, Daniela

Lloveras Vilamanyà, Jaume

Michelena Bárcena, Antonio

Ferrio Díaz, Juan Pedro

Voltas Velasco, Jordi

Slafer, Gustavo A.

Savin, Roxana

Albajes Garcia, Ramon

Eizaguirre Altuna, Matilde

López Alonso, Carmen

Cantero-Martínez, Carlos

Díaz Gómez, Joana

Nogareda, Carmina

Moreno Martínez, José Antonio

Angulo Asensio, Eduardo

Estany Illa, Joan

Pena i Subirà, Ramona Natacha

Tor i Naudí, Marc

Portero Otín, Manuel

Eritja Sánchez, Núria

Arjó Pont, Gemma

Serrano Casasola, José Carlos Enrique

Matias-Guiu, Xavier

Twyman, Richard M.

Sandmann, Gerhard

Capell Capell, Teresa

Christou, Paul

Suggested citation

Zhu, Changfu; Farré Martinez, Gemma; Zanga, Daniela; Lloveras Vilamanyà, Jaume; Michelena Bárcena, Antonio; Ferrio Díaz, Juan Pedro; ... Christou, Paul. (2017) . High-carotenoid maize: development of plant biotechnology prototypes for human and animal health and nutrition. Phytochemistry Reviews, 2017, p. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-017-9506-4.

Abstract

Carolight® is a transgenic maize variety that accumulates extraordinary levels of carotenoids, including those with vitamin A activity. The development of Carolight® maize involved the technical implementation of a novel combinatorial transformation method, followed by rigorous testing for transgene expression and the accumulation of different carotenoid molecules. Carolight® was envisaged as a way to improve the nutritional health of human populations that cannot access a diverse diet, but this ultimate humanitarian application can only be achieved after extensive testing for safety, agronomic performance and nutritional sufficiency. In this article, we chart the history of Carolight® maize focusing on its development, extensive field testing for agronomic performance and resistance to pests and pathogens, and feeding trials to analyze its impact on farm animals (and their meat/dairy products) as well as animal models of human diseases. We also describe more advanced versions of Carolight® endowed with pest-resistance traits, and other carotenoid-enhanced maize varieties originating from the same series of initial transformation experiments. Finally we discuss the further steps required before Carolight® can fulfil its humanitarian objectives, including the intellectual property and regulatory constraints that lie in its path.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/62539

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-017-9506-4

Is part of

Phytochemistry Reviews, 2017, p. 1-15