Building Team Chemistry: The Bigger Picture Behind Cows & Climate
Conor McCabe
Animal Biology Graduate Student, UC Davis
Diets lacking fiber are linked to serious health concerns, but Americans only consume 30 percent of the recommended daily amount of fiber. One way to increase fiber consumption is to produce wheat varieties that contain more fiber in the refined flour that consumers prefer. This is possible by increasing the amount of “resistant starch” which behaves as dietary fiber. A small increase in fiber content in refined flour products can translate into a significant boost in the public’s consumption of dietary fiber without sacrificing taste.
There have been previous attempts to increase fiber content in refined wheat flour through technology and breeding. However, the first generation of wheat varieties with increased dietary fiber showed reduced grain yield, making the grain more costly.
University of California, Davis researchers, led by Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky, are developing a second generation of wheat varieties with a higher grain yield and high fiber in the refined flour. The team is investigating ways to increase fiber using modified starch synthesis enzymes, along with traditional breeding methods. The enhanced wheat will have a higher yield, allowing access to tasty and healthy food.
The researchers are encouraging consumer fiber consumption by developing productive high-fiber wheat varieties with higher yields and lower costs, while maintaining flavor and quality. Other benefits:
We fund research that advances nutritious and profitable farm crops and pioneering technologies that benefits growers and consumers. This grant is developing innovative approaches to improving human health by developing desirable crops with high nutritional value.
Bay State Milling, California Wheat Commission and Limagrain Cereal Seeds