Developing a definition of biofortification through the synthesis of food biofortification publications: a scoping review protocol

Authors: KELLOGG, JULIANNA - Washington State University; KLARQUIST, EMILY - Washington State University; WAZIRI, AICHA - Washington State University; LUFTIG, DAVID - Washington State University; CARBONERO, FRANCK - Washington State University; SOLVERSON, PATRICK - Washington State University; PERRIGUE, MARTINE - Washington State University; WALTON, JENNY - International Food Policy Researc Institute (IFPRI); AYTEKIN, DESTAN - International Food Policy Researc Institute (IFPRI); MACKENZIE, ANNE - International Food Policy Researc Institute (IFPRI); Garland-Campbell, Kimberly; MURPHY, KEVIN - Washington State University

Submitted to: JBI Evidence Synthesis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2022
Publication Date: 6/23/2022
Citation: Kellogg, J.A., Klarquist, E.F., Waziri, A.D., Luftig, D., Carbonero, F., Solverson, P., Perrigue, M., Walton, J., Aytekin, D., Mackenzie, A., Garland Campbell, K.A., Murphy, K.M. 2022. Developing a definition of biofortification through the synthesis of food biofortification publications: a scoping review protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 20:8,2109-2116. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-21-00297.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-21-00297

Interpretive Summary: One of the most cost-effective nutrition interventions that reaches underserved, rural populations without adding to the existing food distribution infrastructure is biofortification. The term is often used to describe a food source with a nutritional component modified through agronomic practices, biotechnology, or plant breeding to address a human health concern. Biofortification has become a multiple disciplinary field since the initial efforts were started over twenty years ago. We aim to map the use of the term over time and across research disciplines. We aim to understand the past use of the term ‘biofortification’ in the research community across numerous disciplines. The goal is to confirm or develop the definition of ‘biofortification’ and the process it entails.

Technical Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study is to develop a definition of biofortification through the synthesis of food biofortification publications and to document the breadth of the research and definitions of the term. Introduction: Biofortification of a food source is used as a human health intervention. Due to the range in definitions of the concept, biofortification can be difficult to describe. Broadly, a biofortified food source has a nutritional component modified through agronomic practices or plant breeding to address a human health concern. Early on in biofortification research, efforts focused on mineral, vitamin, and protein improvement in staple crops. For example, animals and non-staple crops. with modified nutrient composition are being classified as biofortified. Researchers new to the field of biofortification, or those continuing research in the field, require a broad overview of the evidence and a consensus on the definition to ensure effective communication within this scientific community. Inclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria are broad for the purpose of capturing all existing definitions of biofortification across the different areas of study involved in biofortification research. No participant type is excluded, and the context is not limited. The concept is strictly biofortification. Methods: A broad search strategy will be utilized for'AGRICOLA, AGRIS, PubAg, Web of Science, CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Library, JBI Evidence Synthesis journal, Google Scholar, and the Washington State University Libraries’ integrated catalog. The data extracted will include study and author characteristics. Tables and figures will demonstrate breadth and scale of the evidence, with findings displayed along a biofortification research pipeline.