us scientists engineer corn to boost protein
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

one of the world's most important crops

US scientists engineer corn to boost protein

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US scientists engineer corn to boost protein

US scientists engineer corn to boost protein
Miami - Al Maghrib Today

US scientists have found a way to genetically engineer corn to produce an amino acid contained in meat, boosting the nutritional value of one of the world's most important crops.

The process involved inserting a bacterial gene that causes corn to make methionine, a crucial nutrient for the health of skin, nail and hair.

Researchers said the discovery could benefit millions of people in the developing world who depend on corn as a staple, and could reduce animal feed costs, according to the report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.

"We improved the nutritional value of corn, the largest commodity crop grown on Earth," said co-author Thomas Leustek, professor in the Department of Plant Biology at Rutgers University.

"Most corn is used for animal feed, but it lacks methionine -- a key amino acid -- and we found an effective way to add it."

The sulfur in methionine "protects cells from pollutants, slows cell aging and is essential for absorbing selenium and zinc," the PNAS report said.

Already, industries spend billions adding synthetic methionine to field corn seed, which does not naturally contain this amino acid, in order to help livestock grow.

Co-author Joachim Messing, a professor who directs the Waksman Institute of Microbiology, said this is a "costly, energy-consuming process."

The new method involved inserting an E. coli bacterial gene into the corn plant's genome.

The E. coli enzyme caused methionine production in the plant's leaves, and methionine in corn kernels increased by 57 percent, the study said.

The process did not affect plant growth.

Scientists fed the genetically engineered corn to chickens at Rutgers University and found it was nutritious for them, Messing said.

Leustek told AFP that "in principle, the technology could be quickly deployed, within a couple of years."

"The transgene that we developed can easily be inserted into commercial corn varieties," he said in an email.

"The major obstacle would be regulatory hurdles because it is a transgenic technology."

Food and animal feeds containing genetically modified organisms are highly controversial in the European Union, amid public suspicions that they carry a health risk.

A sweeping review in 2016 of the available scientific literature by the US National Academies of Science found no evidence that genetically modified crops are unsafe to eat.

Leustek said researchers also found that it might be possible to grow corn that contains this amino acid without using genetic engineering.

"For example, by feeding plants with different sources of sulfur nutrients as fertilizer," he said.

"Of course, this will require additional work and the outcome is not guaranteed. But our results strongly suggest that changes in use of fertilizers could also achieve the desired result."

Source: AFP

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

GMT 14:04 2018 Sunday ,14 January

Fossil fuels blown away by wind

GMT 18:15 2018 Saturday ,13 January

1.5 C climate goal 'very unlikely' but doable

GMT 12:37 2018 Friday ,12 January

Race to save Indonesian croc stricken

GMT 15:08 2018 Thursday ,11 January

California mudslides death toll reaches 15

GMT 14:06 2018 Wednesday ,10 January

Philippines to protest over China activity

GMT 14:33 2018 Tuesday ,09 January

Poisonous and running out

GMT 16:42 2018 Saturday ,06 January

'World's ugliest pig' spotted

GMT 12:01 2018 Wednesday ,03 January

Hong Kong's mountain warriors
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

us scientists engineer corn to boost protein us scientists engineer corn to boost protein

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

us scientists engineer corn to boost protein us scientists engineer corn to boost protein

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 20:57 2017 Tuesday ,26 December

Erdogan Arrives in Port Sudan

GMT 12:39 2017 Sunday ,10 September

Leadership's unlimited support

GMT 08:42 2013 Wednesday ,18 September

Kuwaiti crude price down $1.44 to $107.04 per barrel

GMT 13:05 2016 Tuesday ,26 January

China fears halt market recovery

GMT 20:15 2016 Tuesday ,14 June

QNB raises $2.75bn in tier 1 notes sale

GMT 20:57 2014 Wednesday ,17 September

Egypt Mufti Shawki Allam wraps up visit to Lebanon

GMT 17:10 2012 Thursday ,10 May

Israeli forces detain Gaza fishermen

GMT 15:38 2016 Friday ,22 July

ANB reports $417.9m net profit in first half

GMT 15:54 2015 Sunday ,08 February

British stars vie for BAFTA glory ahead of Oscars

GMT 15:31 2017 Thursday ,05 January

Morocco’s GDP to Increase by 3.9% in 2017 Q1: HCP

GMT 12:21 2015 Saturday ,29 August

Wheat stock beyond safe limits

GMT 14:16 2011 Tuesday ,11 October

Hazy weather with chance of rain forecast in UAE

GMT 15:36 2015 Friday ,04 September

Bob Geldof offers to house four Syrian families

GMT 13:36 2017 Friday ,04 August

Egyptian, Algerian foreign ministers hold talks

GMT 11:48 2017 Sunday ,26 March

US stocks decline on Trump policy uncertainty

GMT 17:53 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

President of Croatia Meets Qatar's Ambassador
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday