Author(s) :

Patrick Zou.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the major staple crops worldwide and plays a crucial role in the human diet as a source of vitamin B3, also known as niacin. However, a large proportion of niacin exists in a bound form that is poorly bioavailable to humans. When a population depends on bound niacin, insufficient niacin availability will lead to pellagra, a disease caused by niacin deficiency. Due to the significant negative impact of pellagra, researchers have examined the biochemical mechanism of bound niacin information. The review summarizes key genes and environmental factors that affect the total niacin and bound niacin concentrations in the maize kernel. Understanding the formation mechanism of bound niacin can inspire scientists to develop possible methods to enhance the bioavailability of niacin and nutritional biofortification, thereby reducing the global issue of niacin-deficiency-induced hidden hunger.