Award details

Genetic and agronomic approaches to reducing acrylamide formation in foods derived from potato and cereals

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004674
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Nigel Halford
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	281,726
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2004
End date	03/04/2008
Duration	42 months

Abstract

Acrylamide is a genotoxic carcinogen and neurotoxin that is formed by a reaction between asparagine and sugars during high temperature processing of foods derived from potato and cereals. The aim of this project is to use genetic and agronomic methods to manipulate the levels of asparagine, amino acids in general, the ratio of asparagine to other amino acids and sugars in potato tubers and cereal grain. Acrylamide formation in the different tuber and grain material on heating will be analysed. Specific objectives: i.To show that reduced asparagine and sugar levels in tubers and grain will lead to reduced acrylamide formation during processing and to develop target levels that will enable the reduction of acrylamide while not compromising flavour and colour. ii.To identify markers and strategies for plant breeders, biotechnologists and producers to help achieve the Food Standards Agency¿s goal of reducing acrylamide levels in foods. iii.To determine whether farmers should be advised to apply sulphur-containing fertilizer to potato and cereal crops to reduce the accumulation of free asparagine. The Food Standards Agency has identified reducing acrylamide levels as an important goal. In this project, genetic and agronomic methods will be used to alter the levels and ratios of asparagine, other amino acids and sugars. A unique set of potato plants with greatly increased or reduced asparagine levels has already been produced by manipulating a metabolic regulator, SnRK1. Other genetic targets are GCN2, a regulator of amino acid synthesis, and asparaginase. The agronomic part of the project will investigate the effects of soil sulphur levels on the composition of tuber and grain material from potato, wheat and rye and the consequences that this has for acrylamide formation. Sulphur deprivation has been linked with increased asparagine levels in cereal grain. Detailed genetic and biochemical analyses of the different plant material will be performed.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Diet and Health, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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