叶酸生物强化研究进展

Research Progress on Folate Biofortification

叶酸是指四氢叶酸及其衍生物这一类物质,是介导一碳单位转移的重要辅助因子,参与生物体内许多重要反应。人类不具备自身合成叶酸的能力,只能从植物中摄取,叶酸缺乏会增加许多疾病风险,利用生物强化来提高植物的叶酸含量是一个解决全球性叶酸缺乏问题的可行办法之一。综述了叶酸的合成及代谢途径,重点介绍了目前叶酸生物合成的研究进展;阐述了我国的叶酸营养状况,并对我国的叶酸强化进行了展望。

Tetrahydrofolate and its derivatives, commonly grouped under the name of folates, are vital cofactors for enzymes that mediate one-carbon transfer reactions. Folates are involved in a wide range of key metabolic functions. Human cannot synthesize folates de novo and depends entirely on dietary supply. Folate deficiency contributes to many disease risks. Engineering crop plants with elevated folate contents （biofortification） is therefore a rational alternative in addressing global folate deficiency. In the present paper, we summarized the folate metabolism, and progress made in research on folate biofortification. Besides, the folate nutritional status of the Chinese people was summarized and folate biofortification situation in China was prospected.