Cooking Time, Seed Darkening, and Iron and Zinc Concentrations of Selected Andean Genotypes of Common Bean

Agronomic and ionomics indicators of high-yield, mineral-dense, and low-Cd grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

A field experiment was conducted in 2010-2012 on a private farm located in the village of Frankamionka in the administrative district (powiat) of Zamośc, on brown soil with slightly acidic pH, and the average abundance of zinc and iron. The experiment was set up in a random split-plot design with four replications, with seven methods for controlling weed infestation: 1) no weeding control, 2) hand weeding control, 3) linuron (Afalon dyspersyjny 450 SC), 4) linuron + metribuzin (Afalon dyspersyjny 450 SC + Mistral 70 WG), 5) linuron + chlomazone (Harrier 295 ZC), 6) linuron + chlomazone + metribuzin (Harrier 295 ZC + Mistral 70 WG), 7) bentazon (Basagran 480 SL twice). The objective of the study was to determine the effect of weeding control methods on the content of iron and zinc in the seeds of cv. Jaś Karlowy common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The highest seed yield, on average 29.39 dt ha-1, was obtained on the plots where weeds were controlled by the application of the herbicides Harrier 295 ZC + Mistral 20 WG just after sowing. The lowest seed yield was harvested on unweeded plots – 6.77 dt ha-1 on average. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the weed control methods and the weather conditions in growing seasons on the content of iron and zinc in bean seeds. The lowest amount of zinc, an average of 36.11 mg kg-1, was found in beans from unweeded plots. The use of the herbicides Afalon dyspersyjny 450 SC + Mistral 70 WG, Harrier 295 ZC and Harrier 295 ZC + Mistral 70 WG significantly increased the zinc content compared to the un weeded control and manual weeding. The highest iron concentration, on average 75.12 mg kg-1, was observed in seeds from unweeded plots. Significantly less iron accumulated in beans from plots weeded manually and by application of the herbicides Harrier 295 ZC and Harrier 295 ZC + Mistral 70 WG.

Biofortification of wheat for higher grain iron and zinc is the most feasible and cost-effective approach for alleviating micronutrient deficiency. The non-progenitor donor Aegilops species had 2–3 times higher grain iron and zinc content than the wheat cultivars, whereas the wheat–Aegilops substitution lines mostly of group 2 and 7 chromosomes had intermediate levels of grain micronutrients. The non-progenitor Aegilops species also had the highest iron content and intermediate-to-highest zinc content in straw, lower leaves, and flag leaves at the pre-anthesis, grain-filling, and maturity growth stages. The micronutrients accumulation status is followed by wheat–Aegilops substitution lines and is the least in wheat cultivars indicating that the donor Aegilops species and their substituted chromosomes possess genes for higher iron and zinc uptake and mobilization. The grain iron content was highly positively correlated with iron content in the plant tissues. Most of the lines had much higher iron and zinc content in all tissues during grain-filling period indicating higher iron and zinc uptake from soil during this stage. Although iron and zinc contents are nearly similar in grains, there was much less zinc content in the plant tissues of all the lines suggesting that the Triticeae species take up less zinc which is mobilized to grains more effectively than iron.

Evaluation of iron, copper and zinc concentrations in commercial foods formulated for healthy cats.

Grains of 80 accessions of nine species of wild Triticum and Aegilops along with 15 semi-dwarf cultivars of bread and durum wheat grown over 2 years at Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, were analyzed for grain iron and zinc content. The bread and durum cultivars had very low content and little variability for both of these micronutrients. The related non-progenitor wild species with S, U and M genomes showed up to 3–4 folds higher iron and zinc content in their grains as compared to bread and durum wheat. For confirmation, two Ae. kotschyi Boiss. accessions were analyzed after ashing and were found to have more than 30% higher grain ash content than the wheat cultivars containing more than 75% higher iron and 60% higher zinc than that of wheat. There were highly significant differences for iron and zinc contents among various cultivars and wild relatives over both the years with very high broad sense heritability. There was a significantly high positive correlation between flag leaf iron and grain iron (r = 0.82) and flag leaf zinc and grain zinc (r = 0.92) content of the selected donors suggesting that the leaf analysis could be used for early selection for high iron and zinc content. ‘Chinese Spring’ (PhI) was used for inducing homoeologous chromosome pairing between Aegilops and wheat genomes and transferring these useful traits from the wild species to the elite wheat cultivars. A majority of the interspecific hybrids had higher leaf iron and zinc content than their wheat parents and equivalent or higher content than their Aegilops parents suggesting that the parental Aegilops donors possess a more efficient system for uptake and translocation of the micronutrients which could ultimately be utilized for wheat grain biofortification. Partially fertile to sterile BC1 derivatives with variable chromosomes of Aegilops species had also higher leaf iron and zinc content confirming the possibility of transfer of required variability. Some of the fertile BC1F3 and BC2F2 derivatives had as high grain ash and grain ash iron and zinc content as that of the donor Aegilops parent. Further work on backcrossing, selfing, selection of fertile derivatives, leaf and grain analyses for iron and zinc for developing biofortified bread and durum wheat cultivars is in progress.

Rice is the richest source of starch and carbohydrates but is deficient in major micronutrients such as iron and zinc. Slight enrichment with these micronutrients could help combat malnutrition. For a successful plant breeding program, genetic variability is crucial. Thus, the research aimed to analyze the description of statistics and transgressive segregation among the nutritional and agronomical traits in the F2 rice population. In this context, 190 progenies from the F2 population and parents were sown in Kharif 2020. Ten agronomical and two nutritional traits (grain iron and zinc content) were recorded from each genotype of the F2 population. All the recorded data were subjected to descriptive analysis and transgressive segregants were recorded for grain iron and zinc content. Descriptive analysis revealed positive skewness for the number of effective tillers per plant (0.998), grain length-breadth ratio (0.256), thousand-grain weight (0.875), grain zinc content (0.232), and grain yield per plant (1.460). Negative skewness was recorded for days to fifty per cent flowering (-2.805), plant height (-0.396), panicle length (-0.150), grain breadth (-0.335), and grain iron content (-0.356). The number of filled grains per panicle, grain length breadth ratio, grain zinc, and iron content exhibited the platykurtic nature of the distribution curve. Concerning transgressive segregants of nutritional traits, ten were observed for grain zinc content and thirty for grain iron content in the F2 rice population. These transgressive segregants for grain zinc and iron content might be used for developing advanced breeding lines, and skewness and kurtosis provide necessary genetic information for gene interaction.

Brazilian consumers prefer beans of the beige grain colour. Common beans help supply dietary requirements for iron and zinc. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine whether early selection for grain colour affects the iron and zinc content and the grain yield in common beans and (ii) if an association between these characteristics was found, to obtain lines of carioca‐type grains with a high iron and zinc content and good grain yield. We evaluated 96 F3:4, F3:5 and F3:6 progeny at two locations for iron and zinc content and grain yield. We selected 48 progeny for grain colour and chose 48 others at random. We found that early selection for grain colour does not affect the zinc content and grain yield. A positive and high association was found between iron and zinc content, and both iron and zinc content were slightly negatively correlated with grain yield. It is possible to obtain common bean lines combining a high iron and zinc content with good grain yield as long as a selection index is used.

The objective of this study was to obtain information regarding genetic control of zinc and iron levels in common bean seeds. For that purpose, four lines with high iron and zinc concentration and four with low concentration were crossed in a partial diallel design. Hybridizations were carried out in a greenhouse, as well as obtaining F1, reciprocal F1 and F2 generations. The data obtained were submitted to analysis of variance for each generation. To verify the occurrence of maternal effects, the possible contrasts between parents and F1 and reciprocal F1 generations were tested for each cross. It was observed that an expressive part of the variation in zinc and iron concentrations among the lines used is due to the seed coat. In the case of zinc, the additive allelic interaction alone explained the variation. For iron, the occurrence of dominance is also important. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L., maternal effect, combining ability, allelic interaction, nutritional quality.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important staple food and primary nutrient source in the many countries of the world. In the present study, 108 diverse red rice genotypes were assessed to decipher genetic diversity in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications. Mahalanobis’ D2 statistics was performed for grain yield and yield contributing features along with grain zinc, iron and protein content to calculate the genetic divergence between the genotypes. Cluster VI (1843.40) recorded maximum intra cluster distance followed by cluster V (1462.46), indicating significant genetic variation among the red rice genotypes within these clusters and maximum inter cluster distance was found between cluster V and VI (4178.22) followed by cluster IV and V (2691.43). Cluster IV exhibited the highest mean values for panicle length, protein content and Zn content. Cluster VI recorded the highest mean values for plant height, test weight and iron content. Hence, the genotypes from cluster IV and VI could be used for hybridization with the genotypes of other clusters to develop high yielding varieties with high grain zinc, iron and protein content. The lowest inter cluster distance was found between cluster II and III (872.56) followed by cluster I and III (998.76) which indicates that the red rice genotypes falling into these clusters are genetically close. The maximum contribution towards divergence was made by plant height, followed by zinc content, iron content and test weight.

Simple SummaryCurrently, all pigs raised on intensive farms develop iron-deficiency anemia if they do not receive supplemental iron at birth. Weaning diets commonly contain high concentrations of iron, and the effect on the copper and zinc contents in pork is unknown. In this exploratory work, we determined the effect of excessive oral iron supplementation on the contents of these microminerals in pork. Surprisingly, we found that high iron doses of 3000 ppm reduced the zinc content of pork by 32–55%.The aim of this work was to determine in an exploratory manner the effect of excessive iron supplementation on iron, zinc, and copper contents in pork and pork offal. Pigs averaging 50 days in age and 15 ± 1.3 kg body weight were allocated to a control group (500 ppm dietary Fe) and a supplemental group (3000 ppm dietary Fe). After an iron supplementation period of 60 days, blood samples were analyzed to determine iron biomarkers, serum copper, and zinc contents. Animals were slaughtered to assess total iron, non-heme iron, heme iron, zinc, and copper contents in samples of nine meat cuts and some offal. Iron supplementation improved the iron status in pigs with increased hemoglobin and hematocrit, but did not affect serum levels of iron, zinc, and copper. Iron supplementation did not affect the heme and non-heme iron contents of the different meat cuts. Zinc contents decreased by 32–55% in meat cuts, where iron content increased in the liver, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. No differences of zinc and copper were observed in offal samples. High concentrations of iron supplementation reduce zinc content in pork.

Bread wheat genetic variation for grain’s protein, iron and zinc concentrations as uptake by their genetic ability

The present study was carried out to investigate the associations among the agronomical and quality traits in an F2 population derived from the cross between Samba Mahsuri x Sathi. Observations were recorded on ten morphological and two grain quality (iron and zinc content) traits from each of the F2 plants. Correlation analysis revealed that grain zinc and iron content were significantly and negatively correlated with plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, number of filled grains per panicle and grain yield per plant. However, zinc and iron content in the grain recorded significantly positive correlation with each-other. Grain yield per plant showed a significant positive correlation with plant height, number of effective tillers per plant and number of filled grains per panicle. The study concluded that while it is possible to simultaneously increase the grain iron and zinc content in the population studied, this increase is associated with a penalty on grain yield.

Biofortification involves breeding of staple crops that are micronutrient-dense and high yielding for example iron-biofortified beans. The biofortification of crops has been found to be cost effective and feasible to fight micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of the study was to determine the iron, zinc and total phenolic composition for the biofortified NUA 45 and Gloria sugar beans in raw as well as cooked samples with and without previous soaking. Determination of iron and zinc content in the raw, cooked bean grain samples with and without soaking was carried out by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Optical Emission Spectrometry whereas the determination of Total Phenolic Content was done using the Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method. The highest zinc concentration (0.295ppm) was found in raw Gloria sugar beans whilst the raw NUA 45 sugar beans had the highest iron content (0.755ppm) and total phenolic composition (352.8mg/100g). For the cooked bean samples Gloria sugar beans had the highest zinc concentration (0.247ppm) cooked after soaking. NUA 45 sugar beans had no significant difference on the zinc content after being cooked with and without soaking. Amongst the cooked samples the biofortified NUA 45 sugar beans cooked after soaking had the highest iron content (0.373ppm) as well as the highest total phenolic content in the beans cooked without soaking (200.5mg/100g). Biofortified NUA 45 and Gloria sugar beans proved to be good sources of iron, zinc and phenolic compounds. However, cooking with and without soaking diminished the iron, zinc and the total phenolic composition of the cooked NUA 45 and Gloria sugar beans.

The mineral contents in common bean seeds are influenced, in addition to genetic variation, by environmental crop conditions, especially by the soil type and chemical composition and by the genotype x environment interaction. This study was carried out to verify if the zinc and iron contents are affected by the crop growing period. Ten lines with high iron and zinc contents and ten with low contents were assessed in three seasons: "wet season" of 2009/2010 (sowing in November); "dry season" of 2010 (sowing in February) and "winter season" of 2010 (sowing in July), in Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with three replications and plots consisting of two rows of two meters, with a spacing of 0.50 m. The seeds harvested were assessed in regard to iron and zinc mineral contents. The greatest contents were observed in the winter season and the smallest ones in the dry season, with sowing in February. It was observed that in the mean of the three harvests, the lines classified as having high iron and zinc content exhibited an iron quantity 11.0% and a zinc quantity 6.8% above those of low content. The lines by seasons interaction occurs. However, its interference in identification of the groups with high and low content of the two nutrients is not great.

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of intravenous injection of an essential trace-element preparation (TE-5) on iron, zinc, copper and manganese concentrations, and blood biochemical and hematological parameters in rats. The rats were treated by intravenous injection of TE-5 for 7 days and the following results were obtained: 1) Neither a 0.04 nor a 0.4 ml/kg/day injection of TE-5 affected the iron, zinc, copper and manganese concentrations in tissues. 2) At a higher dose (1.2 ml/kg/day), iron concentrations in liver and spleen, zinc concentrations in liver, kidney, tibia and plasma, copper concentrations in heart, kidney and whole blood, and manganese concentrations in brain, heart, spleen, kidney, femoral muscle, tibia and whole blood increased. 3) At the highest does (4 ml/kg/day), all rats died and iron, zinc, copper and manganese concentrations in tissues increased remarkably. 4) With injections of TE-5 (0.04-1.2 ml/kg/day), hemoglobin, hematocrit, alkaline phosphatase activity and blood urea nitrogen decreased slightly. These results suggest that iron, zinc, copper and manganese concentrations, and blood biochemical and hematological parameters are maintained at doses up to 0.4 ml/kg/day of TE-5, but that doses higher than that destroy homeostasis.