Nutrient Decline in Crops: How Plant Cell Culture Can Bridge the Gap

The nutrient density of crops is declining. Climate change and intensive agricultural practices are reshaping food production, leading to crops that are less nutritious than those of past decades. Industrial agriculture, focused on producing larger and more visually appealing fruits and vegetables, has further accelerated this decline. The challenge now is clear: How do we reverse this trend? Advances in agricultural technology (AgTech) and innovative solutions like plant cell cultivation offer a path forward to restore nutrient density and ensure a healthier future for food. 

The Alarming Reality of Nutrient Decline

Scientific research shows that rising levels of atmospheric CO₂ and soil depletion are significantly reducing the nutrients in staple crops. For instance, a study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that essential nutrients like zinc, iron, and protein in wheat, rice, and soybeans have dropped by as much as 10% in recent decades. Industrial agriculture’s focus on yield and growth speed has further diminished nutrient content, leaving today’s fruits and vegetables with fewer vitamins and minerals than their historical counterparts. 

Tomatoes exemplify this trend. A review of “Tomatoland” highlights that today’s tomatoes contain 14% less vitamin C, 30% less thiamin, 19% less niacin, and 62% less calcium compared to those grown in the 1960s. Conversely, a PLOS ONE study found that organic farm-grown tomatoes, which are typically smaller in size, had significantly higher levels of vitamin C, sugar, and lycopene than their conventionally grown counterparts. 

This nutrient decline of industrialized crops poses serious challenges, particularly in regions where these staples form the bulk of daily diets. The implications are far-reaching, exacerbating global malnutrition, weakening immune systems, and increasing susceptibility to chronic diseases. The economic toll is staggering as healthcare systems worldwide grapple with the repercussions of nutrient-deficient diets. For example, disease-related malnutrition affects nearly 33 million people in Europe alone, costing the European healthcare system €170 billion annually. And today’s levels of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity are estimated to cost the global economy up to US$3.5 trillion. 

How Industrialized Agricultural Practices Affect Nutrient Density 

The industrialization of agriculture has introduced practices such as monocropping, selective breeding for yield, and heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers. While these methods have increased food supply, they have simultaneously depleted soils of essential minerals and reduced crops’ nutrient density. A BBC report underscores this trend, revealing that industrialized food production methods have significantly reduced the concentrations of critical nutrients in fruits and vegetables, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. 

Breeding crops for size, sweetness, and durability has also reduced their nutritional value. For instance, sweeter strawberries may look appealing and taste great but contain fewer phytonutrients than their smaller, less-modified counterparts. The tradeoff between yield and nutrient density remains a key issue in modern farming. 

AgTech Solutions to Reverse Nutrient Decline

The rise of AgTech offers hope in combatting nutrient decline. Technologies like precision agriculture, AI-driven soil analysis, and advanced crop breeding techniques are empowering farmers to improve nutrient density in crops. For example, biofortification—a method of increasing the nutrient density of crops through selective breeding or genetic modification—has shown promise in producing zinc-enriched rice and iron-rich beans. However, these approaches are not without limitations. Climate change, extreme weather events, and lengthy development timelines often hinder their adoption and effectiveness. This is where plant cell cultivation emerges as an innovative solution. 

How Plant Cell Cultivation Addresses Nutrient Decline

Plant cell cultivation (also known as plant cell culture) grows plant cells in controlled vessels (i.e. bioreactors). In other words, this innovative solution offers a scalable alternative to soil-based farming. Specifically, the cells produce bioactives and phytonutrients without the agricultural constraints and practices that have led to low levels of these molecules in plants.   

Take, for example, blueberries, a fruit renowned for its health benefits. Through plant cell culture, anthocyanins—the compounds responsible for blueberries’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties—can be produced in high concentrations. These cultivated bioactives can then be incorporated into food products to enhance their nutrient density without relying on climate-dependent crop yields. 

Bridging the Gap in Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are experiencing an uptick in criticism for their negative health impacts and lack of nutrients. But their convenience and affordability make processed foods an integral part of today’s diets. By leveraging plant cell cultivation, food manufacturers can transform UPFs into vehicles for nutrition. 

Imagine a protein bar fortified with plant cell-derived bioactives like anthocyanins or flavonoids from blueberries. Such innovations could fill nutritional gaps while maintaining the taste and shelf stability consumers expect. This approach not only addresses the nutrient decline in crops but also reimagines UPFs as a tool for democratizing and delivering health benefits across the globe. 

AgTech Innovation is the Future Source of Increasing Nutrient Density 

The decline in nutrient density is a pressing challenge, but technology provides a path forward. AgTech innovations and plant cell cultivation are reshaping how we produce and deliver nutrients, bridging the gap left by traditional agriculture. As we face a future shaped by extreme weather events and climate change, embracing these solutions will be essential to ensuring global food security and human health.