New strategies for reducing arsenic accumulation in rice grains

摘要

In various parts of Asia ingestion of high amounts of arsenic (As) is causing significant health problems. The main sources of As in these areas are drinking water and ingestion of As in food. Rice (Oryza sativa) is the staple food for people in Southeast Asia and extensive surveys have shown that arsenic (As) can be accumulated to high levels in the grain consumed in these regions. Therefore, developing strategies for reducing the amount and toxicity of As in rice grain has become a prominent and urgent environmental goal. This review examines the mechanisms of uptake and metabolism of As in plants with the aim of identifying new strategies for reducing the amount of As that is loaded into grain.