393 NUTRIGENOMICS AND ITS APPLICATION IN PALM OIL NUTRITION AND HEALTH RESEARCH INDU JAGANATH* ABSTRACT Latest research reveals that phytonutrients are capable of altering gene expression through acting on complex interactions in various biochemical and cellular pathways. This interactive interplay between phytonutrients and gene expression has given birth to a new field of frontier science known as nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomics allows for deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of phytonutrients on health whether acting in silo or synergistically as a complex mixture. Through this new field of research, scientists have now affirmed that the food contains many biological active substances which affect gene expression and is capable of shifting the balance between health and disease states. One of the richest sources of phytonutrients can be found in palm oil (Elaeis guineensis). Palm oil, other than containing fatty acids, it is also endowed with a wide range of health benefiting phytonutrients such as tocols, carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols and coenzyme Q 10 . In this review, concerted efforts will be made to summarise recent studies on the health benefits and the molecular mode of action of these dietary compounds found in palm oil. Further efforts will be made to exemplify how nutrigenomics through its comprehensive scientific validations can act as a catalyst to move palm oil up the agriculture value chain. Keywords: nutrigenomics, palm oil, dietary chemicals. Date received: 23 July 2015; Sent for revision: 8 December 2015; Received in final form: 15 April 2016; Accepted: 29 August 2016. NUTRIGENOMICS AND ITS APPLICATION IN PALM OIL NUTRITION AND HEALTH RESEARCH * Director General Office, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. E-mail: indu@mardi.gov.my Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 28 (4) December 2016 p. 393 – 403 REVIEW ARTICLE INTRODUCTION The discovery of the double helix structure of DNA by Watson and Creek in 1953 represents the dawn of a new field of science. Since then, massive amounts of valuable molecular information has been acquired. Other than just transferring traits from parents to offspring, DNA was found to be responsible for all cellular processes such as regulation and synthesis of important proteins responsible for the production of hormones, receptors, signalling molecules, etc. However, in 2003, one of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of mankind was achieved when the human genome was decoded. This new wave of scientific revolution allowed scientists to have a deeper understanding on cellular processes occurring in our body, including the flow of genetic information from gene expression to protein and metabolite synthesis and degradation (Frazer, 2012). Concurrent with the decoding of the human genome, frontier molecular techniques were developed to measure the expression of thousands of genes or proteins simultaneously. This advancement from studying single genes to studying thousands of genes in one experiment yielded extensive and comprehensive information in many areas of research, including nutrition-related research (Mutch et al., 2005).