ABSTRACT
To meet the nutritional needs of a rapidly growing world population, 50% more food grains must be produced. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies affect a greater population than protein energy malnutrition. Deficiencies of micronutrients such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and vitamin A afflict over three billion people. Most are women, infants, and children in the developing world. Human existence entails that crops provide at least 50 nutrients including vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and essential fatty acids in adequate levels. Poor agricultural systems and shrinking arable land curtail man’s ability to meet human nutritional needs in the developing world. Indian mustard has been identified as a high biomass-producing plant with the capacity to accumulate various heavy metals at higher concentrations in plant cells. The role of ferritin is to concentrate Fe in the cells to an effective level that matches cellular need.
