298: Nicotianamine-Enriched Whole Wheat (Triticum Aestivum), Modulate Mineral Bioavailability, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Populations In Vivo (Gallus Gallus)

Introduction

Mineral deficiencies, particularly of iron and zinc, remain a global health challenge, impacting billions of people. While refined grains are commonly biofortified to combat these deficiencies, whole grains present an untapped opportunity to deliver enhanced nutritional and health benefits sustainably. Nicotianamine, an endogenous plant chelator, has shown promise in improving mineral bioavailability. This study evaluates the effects of biofortified whole grains with elevated nicotianamine concentrations on mineral absorption, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota composition in vivo (Gallus gallus).

Methods

The treatment groups (n = 7) included: non-injected (NI), 18 MΩ H₂O (H₂O), three transgenic biofortified wheat varieties (TN6S-1, TN6L-2, TN6L-3), and two respective control varieties. Soluble extracts were prepared from 5 g of flour for each treatment and control group. These extracts were administered via intra-amniotic injection (1 mL) into Gallus gallus embryos amnion on day 17 of embryonic development (n = 20). Post-hatch, tissue samples were collected to analyze duodenal histomorphology, mRNA expression of mineral metabolism proteins (e.g., ferroportin, DMT1), and cecal microbial population dynamics using 16S rRNA sequencing. Statistical analyses were used to assess differences among treatment groups and evaluate the effects of the biofortified wheat varieties.

Results

Mineral absorption, intestinal functionality, and gut microbiota composition differed across treatment groups, with significant changes in intestinal morphology, including goblet cell density and brush border membrane structure. Nicotianamine-enriched whole grains modulated the expression of genes involved in mineral metabolism and intestinal health. Shifts in microbial populations, including changes in microbiome diversity and specific bacterial abundances, underscore the potential of these biofortified grains to enhance mineral bioavailability and gastrointestinal function.

Significance

This study highlights nicotianamine-enriched whole grains as a novel dietary approach for addressing global mineral deficiencies. The findings underscore the compound's potential to improve mineral bioavailability and gut health while emphasizing the nutritional advantages and sustainability of using whole grains. Future research should explore its integration into diverse food systems, its application in other staple food crops, and its impact on metabolic pathways to further expand its potential health benefits.

Authors: Matthew Pataki, Marie Anderson, Alex Johnson, Elad Tako