biofortification

[ bahy-oh-fawr-tuh-fi-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the process of breeding staple crops to have higher levels of essential nutrients, either through selective breeding or genetic modification:

   iron biofortification of rice; biofortification of wheat with zinc.

Other Words From

• bio·forti·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of biofortification¹

bio- + fortification

Example Sentences

However, regulatory steps relating to biofortification by genetic engineering will have to be taken before these plants could be cultivated.

From Science Daily

By identifying the minute changes in the genetic code that have caused these high-iron phenotypes, the research has unlocked new opportunities for biofortification -- enhancing the nutritional value of food.

From Science Daily

There could also be legislation passed to allow food producers to put more vitamin D in foods that don't naturally contain it, in a process known as fortification, as well as growing produce and breeding meat to be more vitamin D-rich through biofortification.

From BBC

Researchers are also exploring biofortification - for example, rearing animals to produce vitamin-D rich beef, pork, chicken and eggs.

From BBC

The key is biofortification, or cross-­breeding locally grown sweet potatoes with versions rich in vitamin A, so that over time the crops naturally get better at addressing the deficiency.

From Time