Anthocyanin-rich vegetables for human consumption - focus on potato, sweetpotato and tomato

Authors: Mattoo, Autar; DWIVEDI, SANGAM - International Crops Research Institute For Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) - India; DUTT, SOM - Central Potato Research Institute; SINGH, BRAJESH - Central Potato Research Institute; GARG, MONIKA - National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute; ORTIZ, RODOMIRO - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences

Submitted to: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2022
Publication Date: 2/27/2022
Citation: Mattoo, A.K., Dwivedi, S.I., Dutt, S., Singh, B., Garg, M., Ortiz, R. 2022. Anthocyanin-rich vegetables for human consumption - focus on potato, sweetpotato and tomato. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23:5. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23052634.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23052634

Interpretive Summary: Secondary plant metabolism is a source of potential bioactive compounds some of which have been linked to human health. One such group is called Anthocyanins which are polyphenolic molecules called flavonoids. Biofortification of anthocyanins to meet the nutritional needs of human population will require new knowledge and advancements in gene stacking and metabolic engineering. Such advancements may also ensure that commodities deficient in anthocyanins, such as a commonly bred tomato, can generate a good dose of nutritional molecules, and potentially eradicate malnutrition and enhance human health globally. This review article will be of interest to consumers, producers, scientists and health industry.

Technical Abstract: Malnutrition, unhealthy diets, and lifestyle changes have become major risk factors for non-communicable diseases while adversely impacting economic growth and sustainable development. Anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids that are rich in fruits and vegetables, contribute positively to human health. This review focuses on genetic variation harnessed through crossbreeding and biotechnology-led approaches for developing anthocyanins-rich fruit and vegetable crops. Significant progress has been made in identifying genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in various crops. Thus, the use of genetics has led to the development and release of anthocyanin-rich crop cultivars in Europe and USA. Such a trend is emerging in the developing world. The purple pota-to “Kufri Neelkanth” has been released for cultivation in northern India, and a few colored grain wheat lines, developed through crossbreeding, are being tested for their productivity and adaptation. Although tomato is deficient in anthocyanins, some of its wild relatives are known to accumulate anthocyanins in their sub-epidermal fruit tissue. In Europe, anthocyanin-rich tomato cultivar ‘Sun Black’ developed via the introgression of Aft and atv genes has been released. The development of anthocyanin-rich food crops without any significant yield penalty has been due to the use of genetic engineering involving specific transcription factors or gene editing. The anthocyanin-rich food ingredients have the potential of being more nutritious than those devoid of anthocyanins. The inclusion of anthocyanins as a target characteristic in breeding programs can ensure the development of cultivars to meet the nutritional needs for human consumption, particularly in the developing world.