Conventional breeding / Food processing / FortificationDr.ir. Gijs A. Kleter*, Dr. Harry A. KuiperABIC 2004, Cologne, Germany, September 15, 2004

Structure of the presentation

Introduction Definitions Regulatory

Nutraceutical / functional foods Conventional breeding Food processing Food fortification

ConclusionsIllustration:

Cologne Tourist Office

Introduction

Functional food:“similar in appearance to, or may be, a conventional food, is consumed as part of a usual diet, and is demonstrated to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional functions.”(working definition, Health Canada)

Illustration: S. Bauer/ARS/ K7222-12

Introduction

Nutraceutical:“a product isolated or purified from foods that is generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. A nutraceutical is demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease”(working definition, Health Canada)

Illustration: BBC

Introduction

Examples of regulations (I) Conventional breeding

Variety registration Novel foods

Processing Novel food Additives, processing aids, etc.

Illustration: City University of Hong Kong

Introduction

Examples of regulations (II) Fortification

Fortified foods Foods for special uses

Health claims Non-medical Scientific evidence

Conventional breeding

Approaches for nutritional improvement

Selection of mutants Maize opaque2 (QPM)

Crosses with wild relatives Tomato (carotenoids) Maize (minerals)

Mutation breeding Marker-assisted selection

Illustration: S. Bauer/ARS/ K7252-65

Conventional breeding

Examples (I): Tomato rich in beta-carotene

USDA lines 97L63, 97L66, and 97L97

Progeny of cross with wild relative Beta-gene Beta-carotene formed at expense

of lycopene

Illustration: S. Bauer/ARS/ K4659-1

Conventional breeding

Examples (II): Eggplant rich in phenolics

ARS analysis 14 phenolics, including

chlorogenic acid Differences in contents Variety Black Magic (commercial)

highest

Illustration: P. Greb/ARS/ K10938-1

Conventional breeding

Examples (III): High-amylose maize (resistant

starch) Hi-maize (commercial) Not digested like dietary fibre Claims

• Weight reduction• Probiotic• Prevents bowel cancer

Illustration: National Starch

Conventional breeding

Examples (IV): Reduced antinutrients or

toxins: Phytic acid in cereals Solanin in potatoes Erucic acid in canola

Illustration: S. Bauer/ARS/ K9152-1

Food processing

Targets Prevention of loss of

nutraceuticals Prevention of antioxidant loss

Introduction or increase of nutraceuticals Proteases

Deletion of adverse components Phytase Lactase

Illustration:

Roy Company Export Establishment

Food processing

Examples (I): Digest of soy protein and lipids

Digestion of:• Protein by protease• Lipid by phospholipase

Combined digests (Soyscience) Claim: Cholesterol reduction

Illustration: Kyowa Hakko

Food processing

Examples (II): Use of phytase in foods

Sources:• Phytase-containing plant foods• GM Aspergillus, starch

processing aid Digestion of phytic acid Increased bioavailability:

• Iron, zinc, other minerals• Phosphorous Illustrations: Novo Nordisk,

NIAID

Aspergillus oryzae

Phytic acid

Food processing

Examples (III): Preservation of probiotics

Vitrilife (commercial) Cellular and non-cellular No freezing Vaccum evaporation, dry foam Ambient or higher storage

temperatures

Illustrations: Universal Preservation Technologies

Food fortification

Example: Addition of vitamins and minerals

In some cases required by law• Salt iodination• Folic acid

In other cases voluntary• Cereals, bakery, dairy, juices etc.

Claimed health benefits:• Beyond basic needs• Additional properties of single

substanceIllustrations: Prepared Foods

Conclusions (I)

Functional foods and nutraceuticals provide benefits beyond basic nutritional needs

Conventional breeding, food processing, and fortification offer many options for nutritional improvement Illustration: Obozrevatel

Conclusions (II)

Different regulations may pertain to each option

Health claims need scientific support; no “miracle” compounds exist

Nutritional impact: scientific pre-market assessment and post-market monitoring are important items

Illustration:

Cologne Tourist Office

Wageningen Cologne

RIKILT – Institute of Food Safety

Thank you

© Wageningen UR