10 Jul 2023 PAU’s New Wheat Variety PBW RS1
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “PAU’s New Wheat Variety PBW RS1”. The topic “PAU’s New Wheat Variety PBW RS1” has relevance in the “Science and Technology” section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
What is PAU’s New Wheat Variety PBW RS1? What are its features, challenges? What is the Glycemic Index?
For Mains:
GS3: Role of Biotechnology in improving food security
Why in the news?
According to a report in The Indian Express, The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed a new wheat variety to keep blood sugar, obesity in check.
PAU’s New Wheat Variety PBW RS1
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed a new wheat variety called PBW RS1, which is aimed at addressing health concerns related to blood sugar levels and obesity.
This variety contains high levels of amylose starch and resistant starch, known for their ability to slow down the release of glucose into the bloodstream. By releasing glucose slowly, PBW RS1 helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and increasing satiety.
Benefits of PBW RS1
PBW RS1 offers several benefits in terms of health and nutrition. Here are some of its advantages:
Reduced Glycemic Index
- Chapatis and biscuits made from PBW RS1 have a lower glycemic index compared to those made from regular wheat varieties.
- The decreased digestibility of the starch in PBW RS1 contributes to this lower glycemic index.
- A lower glycemic index is associated with a decreased risk of diet-related diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Feeling of fullness and Weight Management
- Consuming PBW RS1-based chapatis provides a greater feeling of fullness compared to regular wheat chapatis.
- This increased satiety can contribute to weight management and portion control.
Nutritional Content
- PBW RS1 has a comparable total starch content to other wheat varieties, ranging from 66-70 percent.
- However, its significant advantage lies in its higher resistant starch content of 30.3 percent, compared to 7.5-10 percent in other varieties.
- The non-resistant starch content in PBW RS1 is also lower, at 37.1 percent compared to 56-62 percent in other varieties.
- Additionally, PBW RS1 contains 56.63 percent amylose, which is significantly higher than the 21-22 percent found in other varieties.
- These nutritional properties make PBW RS1 a healthier choice for individuals concerned about their carbohydrate intake.
Disease Resistance
- Apart from its nutritional attributes, PBW RS1 exhibits resistance to fungal diseases. It is completely resistant to yellow rust and moderately resistant to brown rust.
- This disease resistance can contribute to improved crop yield and reduce the need for chemical treatments.
Challenge of Lower Productivity in Cultivating PBW RS1
- The average grain yield of PBW RS1, recorded at PAU’s field trials, is 43.18 quintals per hectare.
- This is slightly below the average yield of 48 quintals per hectare in Punjab, which can reach up to 52 quintals or more in certain years..
What is the Glycemic Index?
- The glycemic index (GI) is a metric that indicates the speed at which a particular food increases blood sugar levels.
- Foods with a high GI are swiftly digested and absorbed, leading to a rapid surge in blood sugar.
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- On the other hand, foods with a low GI are processed and absorbed more gradually, resulting in a gradual elevation of blood sugar levels.
- The GI of a food is measured on a scale of 0 to 100, with pure glucose having a GI of 100.
- Foods with a GI of 55 or less are considered to have a low GI.
- Foods with a GI of 70 or more are considered to have a high GI.
- The GI of a food can be affected by a number of factors, including the type of carbohydrate, the amount of fibre, and the way the food is cooked.
- People with diabetes or other conditions that affect blood sugar levels may benefit from eating foods with a low GI.
Some examples of foods with a low GI:
- Beans
- Lentils
- Whole grains
- Fruits
- Vegetables
Some examples of foods with a high GI:
- White bread
- White rice
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Soda
Conclusion
In conclusion, the development of PBW RS1 by the Punjab Agricultural University represents a significant breakthrough in wheat breeding. Its high amylose starch and resistant starch content offer various health benefits, including stable blood sugar levels and increased satiety. Although PBW RS1 presents challenges in terms of productivity, efforts are being made to promote its cultivation and position it as a special quality wheat variety. The availability of PBW RS1 seeds to farmers and its potential impact on improving nutritional security are eagerly awaited.
Sources:
Yojna daily current affairs eng med 10th July 2023
Q1. With reference the New Wheat Variety PBW RS1 recently seen in news, consider the following statements:
- The Wheat Variety PBW RS1 is developed by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research along with Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth.
- It boasts low glycemic index along with reduced starch content.
- This is particularly helpful for individuals concerned about their protein intake.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Q2. Consider the following statements with reference to the Glycemic Index?
- The Glycemic Index is a measure of how much insulin is released in response to eating a food.
- Diabetic persons or people with other conditions that affect blood sugar levels may benefit from eating low GI foods.
- Potatoes, Pasta, Bread are examples of high GI foods.
How many of the abovementioned statement/s is/are correct ?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Q3. Discuss the role of biotechnology in ensuring food security in India, highlighting its potential benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations along with examples.
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