The correct option is
D Bitter gourd
Biofortification is the breeding of crops with higher levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals or healthier fats to improve their nutritional quality.
In developing countries like India, the majority of the population suffers from malnutrition as they cannot afford varieties of fruits, vegetables, meat, fishes, etc. Thus biofortifying staple food crops (rice, wheat), fruits and vegetables can be a solution to tackle this problem.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi has released several vegetable crops enriched with vitamins and minerals. One such vegetable is the vitamin C enriched bitter gourd. Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient needed for :
- the growth and repair of tissues in the body.
- the repair and maintenance of healthy skin, bones, cartilages and teeth.
- the absorption of iron into the cells.
Deficiency of vitamin C can lead to scurvy which causes skin lesions, bleeding gums, poor concentration, insomnia (inability to sleep), fatigue etc.
IARI has released the below mentioned crops also.
- Vitamin A enriched carrot, spinach and pumpkin.
- Protein enriched beans such as broad beans, garden pea, lablab, French beans etc.
- Iron and calcium enriched spinach and bathua.
- Vitamin C enriched bathua, mustard, tomato.