Amounts Of Zinc Research Articles

Trace Metal Levels in Seawater, Suspended Particulate Matter and Sediment in Mersin Bay, Turkey

The concentrations and distributions of trace metals in surface sediment, water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in coastal area of Mersin Bay were studied to determined the anthropogenic inputs from surrounding activities. Elevated zinc levels (275 ppm) represent the trace metal with the highest concentration, as measured in suspended particulate matter samples collected from the Kazanlı and Karaduvar areas. The high concentrations are associated with terrestrial inputs from the anthropogenic (domestic +industrial) sources. An important observation is that increasing concentrations are found in dissolved phase, sediment and particulate phase, respectively. But this is not the case for Cr which is higher in sediment. This is related to intense activity of chromium processing plant working for many years. Moreover, Cd and Cr concentrations in surface sediments are above the shale average. Heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments are Cr>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd, respectively. The elevated copper level relative to cadmium in surface sediments is likely attributable to the higher stability of surface complexes with clay minerals, which constitute the primary components of the sediments. Adsorption of zinc to iron and manganese oxide compounds in the sediment is a possible explanation for the high amounts of zinc that were found in the sediments. The estimated index values (enrichment factor, geoacumulation index and pollution load index) indicated widespread contamination of Cr and Cd in Mersin Bay. The origins of these trace metals in the sediments were caused by human activity, and the region was categorized as a moderately severely polluted area.

Cobalt nanoclusters Deposit on Nitrogen-Doped graphene Sheets as bifunctional electrocatalysts for high performance lithium – Oxygen batteries

Rechargeable lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries are being considered as the next-generation energy storage systems due to their higher theoretical energy density. However, the practical application of Li-O2 batteries is hindered by slow kinetics and the formation of side products during the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions on the cathode. These reactions lead to high overpotentials during charging and discharging. To address these challenges, we propose a simple ultrasonic method for synthesizing cobalt nanoclusters embedded in nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (GrZnCo) derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The resulting material, due to the retention of metallic cobalt structure, exhibits better electronic conductivity. Additionally, the GrZnCo catalyst shows vigorous catalytic activity, which can improve reaction kinetics and suppress side reactions, thus lowering the charging overpotential. We have investigated the impact of different catalyst compositions (GrZnCox; x = 1, 3, 5) by varying the amounts of cobalt and zinc. The optimum catalyst, GrZnCo3, contains high cobalt-N active components, graphitic-N, pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N, and abundant defect structures, which enhance the electrochemical performance. The defect-rich GrZnCo3 catalyst enables Li-O2 batteries to achieve a high discharge capacity of 13500 mAh·g−1 at 50 mA·g−1 and a remarkable long-term cycling performance of over 400 cycles at 100 mA·g−1 with a limited capacity of 500 mAh·g−1. This work demonstrates an effective approach to fabricate cost-effective electrocatalysts for various energy storage systems.

Nutritional and Functional Characteristics of Senescent Plantain Powder Mix

Post-harvest loss of plantain peeks at senescence. Drying senescent plantain enhances its culinary applications. This study aimed to determine the biochemical and functional properties of foam-mat dried senescent plantain samples, and their respective powdered mixes prepared for baking ofam (an Indigenous spicy cake). The nutritional benefits of foam-mat dried senescent plantain, with its high vitamin C and total carotenoid content, make it a valuable addition to dietary interventions. Foam-mat dried plantain samples and their respective powdered mixes were evaluated for their proximate composition, vitamin C, total carotenoids, amino acid contents, water and oil absorption capacities, and least gelation concentration using standard methods. The products were predominantly carbohydrates (73.3g - 80.4g/100g) with low moisture contents (9.19 - 20.68 g/100g). Vitamin C and total carotenoids ranged from 17.42 mg/100g to 33.99 mg/100g and 3.4 to 7.2 µg/g respectively. The samples had appreciable amounts of calcium (78.90 - 175.18 mg/100g), magnesium (112.13 - 113/79 mg/100g), potassium (95.76 - 77.09 mg/100g), iron (17.65 - 12.76 mg/100g) and zinc (10.94 - 15.82 mg/100 g). The most abundant amino acids were phenylalanine, histidine, methionine and aspartic acid. Sample SPPFSCF exhibited the best gelation capacity (22 g/100 mL). The water absorption capacities of the samples were influenced by the flour type used. However, the variations in the oil absorption capacities of the powdered mixes were statistically insignificant. EAPFRCF absorbed the least oil (0.84 g/g) while SPPFSCF absorbed the most (0.94 g/g). Foam-mat dried senescent plantain and their powdered mixes have the potential for utilization in nutritional interventions. Its low moisture content will support a longer shelf-life than the fresh overripe plantain.

Comparative Analysis of the Phytochemicals, Minerals, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Rauvolfia vomtoria Leafs

In this study, the phytochemicals, B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and antimicrobial activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Rauvolfia vomtoria leaves were determined and compared. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, mineral and B vitamin composition, in vitro antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial properties of both extracts were determined using standard protocols. Precise analysis of R. vomtoria revealed that the moisture content of the leaves was 8.90%, ash content was 7.70% and crude fiber content was 20.00%. The carbohydrate content of the leaves was 41%, crude protein content was 17. 00% and total fat content was 5.28%. Cardiac glycosides, tannins, phenols, saponins, phytates, steroids, terpenoids and alkaloids were detected in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. However, significantly higher concentrations of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and phytates were detected in the ethanolic extract compared to the aqueous extract. There was no significant difference in the amount of phenols and terpenoids in the two extracts (p>0.05). The thiamine content in the aqueous extract was 0.20 whereas that in the ethanolic extract was 0.27. The riboflavin content was higher in the ethanolic extract (1.80) than in the aqueous extract (1.40). Similarly, the niacin content of the ethanolic extract was 0.81 whereas that of the aqueous extract was 0.81. There was no significant difference in the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus values recorded for the two extracts (p>0.05). In contrast, there was a significant difference in the sodium, potassium, zinc, iron and copper contents of the two extracts with the aqueous extract containing higher amounts of potassium and zinc. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts had zones of inhibition against Enterobacter faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Cetrobacter freundii and Shigella flexlerii. However, the zone of inhibition of the ethanolic extract against the tested organisms was higher than that of the aqueous extract. At a concentration of 10%, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed 87.29% and 92.03% DPPH scavenging activity, respectively. The percentage of inhibitory activity of the extracts against DPPH radical increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the ethanolic extract showing the highest DPPH radical inhibitory activity at a concentration of 50%. The results confirm that ethanol is a suitable solvent for the extraction of biologically active molecules from R.vomtoria leaves.

PSIV-19 The use of microencapsulated zinc oxide improves the growth performance and intestinal health of newly weaned piglets

Abstract The application of microencapsulation technology to protect zinc may support inclusion of reduced levels with similar benefits to elevated doses of free zinc oxide. This study aimed to compare the effects of different doses of a microencapsulated ZnO (Zinco-Plus S) and free ZnO in nursery diets on growth performance and intestinal health of pigs. A total of 480 newly weaned piglets [26 d of age, initial body weight (BW) = 7.39 kg] were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 35d. Treatments were as follow: free ZnO (3,000, 1,500, and 0 ppm at phase 1, 2, and 3, respectively) or one of three doses of the microencapsulated ZnO (400, 600, and 800 ppm) maintained consistently across all 3 nursery phases (total amount of zinc in diets were within limits allowed by Canadian regulation). Each dietary treatment had 10 replicates, with 12 pigs/pen, gender balanced. All treatments had protease (Jefo Protease; 125 g/t), xylanase (Belfeed Xylanase; 100 g/t) and protected organic acids and essential oils (Porcinat+; 2 kg/t in phase 1 and 2, 1 kg/t in phase 3). Body weight, BW gain and feed intake were measured to determine feed conversion. At the end of phase 1, fecal sample was collected (pooled of 4 samples/pen) to determine zinc excretion. At the end of phase 2, blood serum was collected (1 pig/pen) to measure calprotectin and diamine oxidase concentrations and, ileal tissue was collected (1 pig/pen) to measure expression of zonular occludens (ZO) -1. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Fisher test with significance set at P < 0.05. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in final BW of pigs across all treatments. Nonetheless, piglets receiving 800 ppm of the microencapsulated ZnO had improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio compared with pigs fed diet containing free ZnO. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in serum concentrations of calprotectin and diamine oxidase across all treatments, indicating improved intestinal health regardless of the form of ZnO. Piglets supplemented with microencapsulated ZnO at 800 ppm had an increased (P < 0.05) intestinal expression of ZO-1 in comparison with piglets receiving free ZnO, indicating better intestinal integrity. Fecal zinc concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05) by 75 % with the inclusion of microencapsulated ZnO compared with free ZnO. Piglets supplemented with microencapsulated ZnO at 800 ppm improved (P < 0.05) feed cost per kg BW gain by 10.7 % when compared with free ZnO. These findings show that supplementing lower levels of zinc in nursery diets via microencapsulation technology improves growth performance and supports intestinal health at levels comparable with increased free ZnO supplementation. Moreover, the utilization of microencapsulated zinc oxide has the additional advantage of minimizing environmental impact through the reduction of zinc wastage.

Study on the mechanisms of retardation of cement hydration by zinc and acceleration of hardening by sodium aluminate from crystallographic phase analysis

AbstractZinc was focused on as an element causing hardening retardation due to delayed hydration of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), and its hardening inhibitory effect and the mechanism of hardening enhancement by sodium aluminate were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The addition of zinc hydroxide retarded hardening at more than 0.3 mass%, as previously reported, and zinc produced calcium zincate hydrates (qatranaite) and inhibited the hydration of tricalcium silicate (C3S), the main component of hydration of OPC. After the zinc had been fully consumed in qatranaite formation, C3S started normal hydration. The addition of sodium aluminate caused earlier re-hydration of C3S, which was inhibited by hydration, as the hydrates produced appeared to consume zincate anions. The rapid setting effect of sodium aluminate addition was also delayed by zinc hydroxide, but it was estimated that the addition of the same amount of zinc would ensure initial strength through early formation of hydrocalumite. In the longer term, strength was considered to be more enhanced by the onset of C3S hydration.

EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF IRON ANDZINC NANOPARTICLES ON GERMINATION AND GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L.) BUDNODE

The applications of nano-particles (NPs) in agriculture, such as nano-fertilizers, nano-insecticides, and nano-herbicides, are significantly impacted by their specific structure. In an experiment conducted at the College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, the presence of Fe and Zn nano-particles at different concentrations was investigated to promote the appearance and growth of sugarcane buds. The experiment was conducted using a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) method, with three replications of plant height at different concentrations of Fe NPs and Zn NPs. The results showed that high Zn concentrations, such as 75 and 100 mg L-1, significantly influenced germination-related characteristics, including minimum plant height. Sugarcane buds treated with Fe NPs at 50 mg L-1 and Zn NPs at 100 mg L-1 had the largest leaf area, while buds treated with Zn NPs at 50 mg L-1 had the minimum leaf-to-plant ratio. The topical application of Fe NPs and Zn NPs to sugarcane increased chlorophyll concentration and photosynthetic rate by 1.3 cm. The plant also showed the highest amount of zinc. At 100 mg L-1, the shoot Fe 6.9 concentration in Zn NPs was the highest. In conclusion, adding Zn and Fe nano-particles in amounts ranging from 100 mg L-1 to 50 mg L-1 significantly improved the growth and development of sugarcane bud nodes.

Boerhavia diffusa and Coccinia grandis: Two indigenous vegetables as a source of essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids

Since the nutritional makeup of many plants is still unknown, people have historically included them in their diets without even being aware of their health advantages. Therefore, the present study aimed to uncover the proximate composition, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids composition of two locally consumed vegetables, namely Boerhavia diffusa and Coccinia grandis. From the analysis, these vegetables had a significant protein, fat, and carbohydrate content. Regarding mineral contents, both plants had a great amount of potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, and zinc. These vegetables had a remarkable content of vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and C. The leaves of both plants had important essential amino acids such as leucine, lysine, and phenylalanine, as well as non-essential amino acids. Unsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and erucic acid were more prominent in Coccinia grandis than Boerhavia diffusa. In addition, both plants had a significant amount of saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and lauric acid. Thus, it can be concluded that these two vegetables have magnificent profiles of nutrients which could make them as important sources of minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.

The Influence of Diet and Intake of Macro and Micro Zinc Nutrients on the Incident of Stunting in Toddlers Ages 12-36 Months in Usitasae Village

Short Toddlers (Stunting) is a nutritional status based on the Body Length according to Age (PB/U) index or Body Height according to Age (TB/U) where in the anthropometric standard for assessing children’s nutritional status, the results of these measurements are at the threshold (Z- Score) -3 SD to <-2 SD (short /stunted) and <-3 SD (very short/ severely stunted). The formulation of the problem is how Stunting occurs in toddlers aged 12-36 months and whether there is an influence of the type of food, amount of food, food schedule, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and zinc on the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months. This research aims to analyze the influence of diet and intake of macro and micronutrient zinc on the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months. This type of observational research uses a cross-sectional design. This research was carried out in Usitasae Village. The sample in this study consisted of 54 toddlers using cluster random sampling techniques with bivariate analysis using the chi-square test and multivariate analysis using the multinominal logistic regression test. The results of data analysis on the prevalence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months were 64.8%. The relationship between nutritional intake and the incidence of stunting in toddlers is the type of food (P value = 0.005 ≤ α = 0.05), the amount of food (P value = 0.018 ≤ α = 0.05), the food schedule (P value = 0.022 ≤ α = 0.05), carbohydrates (P value = 0.010 ≤ α = 0.05), protein (P value = 0.000 ≤ α = 0.05), fat (P value = 0.008 ≤ α = 0.05), zinc (P value = 0.006 ≤ α = 0.05). There is a relationship between the type of food, amount of food, food schedule, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and zinc on the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months. There is a need for further study regarding the intake of macro and micronutrients zinc in toddlers aged 12-36 months.

Association of seminal plasma zinc levels with human semen quality and its toxic effects on sperm motility

Infertility has become one of the most common chronic diseases among reproductive- aged individuals, and male factors account for about 50 %. Zinc is a trace element that is essential for sperm quality and male reproductive system. Although several current studies with small sample sizes have investigated this relationship, the conclusions have been still controversial. Here, using a large population sample involved 25,915 participants from Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, we revealed an inverted “U”-shaped trend between seminal plasma zinc concentrations and sperm motility PR/PR + NP (PR, progressive motility; NP, non-progressive motility). The results showed that the highest values of sperm PR/PR + NP observed in the group with intermediate concentrations of zinc (Group 2, 0.25–2.11 mmol/L). The mean values were 43.17 ± 19.03 % and 56.64 ± 20.28 %, respectively. And the lowest values came out in the highest zinc levels group (Group 4, > 3.04 mmol/L). In vitro cell experiments also showed that zinc caused dose-dependent cytotoxicity for GC-2 cells at a threshold value. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that high concentrations of zinc exerted toxic effects on GC-2 cells through immune injury. Taken together, our findings suggested that moderate amounts of zinc are crucial for human reproduction and excessive concentrations may have adverse effects on male fertility.

Reduction with zinc — Impact on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices

We used a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) to investigate the influence that zinc reduction exerts on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. The μPAD consists of layered channels for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite with zinc powder and the subsequent detection of nitrite with Griess reagent. The amount of zinc, number of layers, and reaction time for the reduction were optimized to obtain an intense signal for nitrate. Initially, the sensitivity to nitrate corresponded to 55% that of nitrite, which implied an incomplete reduction. We found, however, that zinc decreased the sensitivity to nitrite in both the μPAD and spectrophotometry. The sensitivity to nitrite was decreased by 48% in spectrophotometry and 68% in the μPAD following the reaction with zinc. One of the reasons for the decreased sensitivity is attributed to the production of ammonia, as we elucidated that both nitrite and nitrate produced ammonia via the reaction with zinc. The results suggest that the total concentration of nitrite and nitrate must be corrected by constructing a calibration curve for nitrite with zinc, in addition to developing curves for nitrate with zinc and for nitrite without zinc. Using these calibration curves, the absorbance at different concentration ratios of nitrite and nitrate ions could be reproduced via calculation using the calibration curves with zinc for nitrite and nitrate. Eventually, the developed μPAD was applied to the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples, and the results were compared with those using a conventional spectrophotometric method. The results of the μPAD are in good agreement with those of conventional spectrophotometry, which suggests that the μPAD is reliable for the measurement of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples.

Potential use of Partially Defatted Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to Combat Malnutrition

Background: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops grown worldwide. It is rich in protein and micronutrients. It is cultivated and used in different culinary preparations globally in various forms. Methods: In the present study, defatting of mechanically dehulled white sesame seeds using an oil press machine at 200°C was done (local cultivar). This procedure could extract 50-60% oil from sesame seeds, therefore, it has been referred as partially defatted sesame seeds flakes or powder. The by-product, i.e., defatted sesame flakes, was evaluated for nutritional and anti-nutritional qualities. Mechanically dehulled sesame seeds of the same variety were used as a control. The defatted sesame flakes of seeds obtained were prepared in powdered form and assessed for biochemical parameters using standard methods. Result: The defatting could reduce the fat content by 52.48 percent and increased the protein up to 40.35 per cent. Magnesium and zinc increased significantly. As defatting is done using an oil press machine, the nutrient retention was better in terms of bioavailability. The partially defatted sesame seed flakes had a good amount of protein, iron, zinc and magnesium with available other micronutrients and possess a good sensory quality having nutty flavor. The seed flakes can be a great source of food to cater to the nutritional needs of the population at large and to reduce malnutrition, especially in children. This can be used for value addition of various food products.

Микроэлементный состав крови русского осетра

Establishing quantitative levels of chemical elements in the blood plays a leading role in studying the mi-croelement status of the body. The purpose of the work was to study the microelement composition of the blood and spleen of the Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Brandt, 1833). The objects of the study were females and males of Russian sturgeon of different ages. The determination of metals was carried out using atomic absorption spectrometry. In each sample, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, cobalt, chromium, lead, and cadmium were determined. Specific features of the accumulation of chemical elements in the blood and spleen of Russian sturgeon have been revealed. The content of iron and zinc in the blood and spleen of fish is in the greatest quantities. At the same time, the concentration of zinc in the blood of fish, as well as the concentration of iron, depends on the systematic position of the fish, and falls within the limits of the concentrations of chemical elements according to A. P. Vinogradov: the content of iron and zinc in the blood of Teleostei is generally higher than in the blood of Elasmobranchii. Russian sturgeon belongs to the subclass Chondrostei and has characteristics of cartilaginous and bony fish, perhaps this can explain the amount of iron and zinc found in the blood. A positive correlation was revealed between iron and copper in the blood of female and male Russian sturgeon. At the same time, no gender differences were found in the content of chemical elements in the blood of female and male Russian sturgeon, with the exception of nickel, the concentration of which is higher in the blood of males. It has been shown that as fish age, the concentration of nickel, manganese, lead and copper in the blood increases.

Determination of Some Minerals and Heavy metals in Raw Cow’s Milk

Milk is a healthy and nutritious food. Its ability to be consumed by all age groups and its easy accessibility increase the importance of milk in our diet. As technological developments increase, so does environmental pollution. As a result of this pollution, metals and metal mixtures reach animals and humans through the food chain. This situation negatively affects the health of living organisms. In addition, excessive intake of some mineral substances can also be toxic. The contamination of heavy metals in food occurs through various pathways. The risk of metals in the composition of the containers used in the production of acidic foods such as milk and cheese dissolving and passing into the product is more likely to occur than in other foods. For this purpose, in our research, 10 samples of raw cattle milk collected from different regions of Muş province were analyzed for the amounts of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and heavy metals lead and cadmium using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry device. The samples' lead, cadmium, iron, copper, and manganese contents were determined as 0.40±0.01-0.19±0.01, 0.38±0.00-0.20±0.00, 1.96±0.01-0.24±0.01, 0.50±0.00-0.11±0.00 and 0.20±0.00-0.12±0.00 mg/L, respectively. The highest levels of calcium (433.45±0.00 mg/L) and potassium (1146.25±0.02 mg/L) were detected in sample S10. The lowest levels of magnesium (197.81±0.00 mg/L) and sodium (661.17±0.01 mg/L) were found in sample S3. The zinc contents of the samples varied between 8.25±0.00-14.51±0.00 mg/L. The results obtained were evaluated considering the factors affecting the amount of mineral substances and heavy metal contamination in the milk.

Characterization of Selected Microalgae Species as Potential Sources of Nutrients and Antioxidants.

Microalgae are exceptional organisms from a nutritional perspective, boasting an array of bioactive compounds that have long justified their incorporation into human diets. In this study, we explored the potential of five microalgae species: Nannochloropsis sp., Tetraselmis chuii, Chaetoceros muelleri, Thalassiosira weissflogii, and Tisochrysis lutea. We conducted comprehensive analyses of their nutritional profiles, encompassing protein content, individual amino acid composition, mineral and trace element levels, fatty acid profiles (including saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)), polyphenol compositions, and vitamin B content. The antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts was evaluated using two methods: ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assay. The total protein content of the microalgae ranged from 34.09 ± 0.39% to 42.45 ± 0.18%, with the highest concentration observed in T. weissflogii. Essential amino acids such as histidine, threonine, lysine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and methionine were present in concentrations ranging from 0.53 ± 0.02 to 12.55 ± 2.21 g/16 g N. Glutamic acid emerged as the most abundant amino acid, with concentrations ranging from 6.73 ± 0.82 to 12.55 ± 2.21 g/16 g N. Among the microalgae species, T. chuii exhibited the highest concentrations of calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn), while C. muelleri showed prominence in magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and iron (Fe). T. weissflogii stood out for its potassium (K) content, and T. lutea contained notable amounts of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). Regarding fatty acid profiles, Nannochloropsis sp. and T. chuii were predominantly composed of SFA, while C. muelleri and T. weissflogii were rich in MUFA. PUFAs dominated the fatty acid profile of T. lutea, which also exhibited the most diverse range of polyphenolic substances. We also analyzed the B vitamin content, with T. lutea displaying the highest concentrations of niacin (B3) and riboflavin (B2). Antioxidant activity was confirmed for all microalgae tested using DPPH and ABTS radical IC50 (mg/mL) converted to Trolox equivalent (TEAC). These findings underscore the substantial potential of the examined microalgae species as sources of biologically valuable substances characterized by rapid growth and relatively undemanding cultivation conditions.

Zinc and iron biofortification of crops grown in a vertical farm

With the growing global population and climate change, achieving food security is a pressing challenge(1). Vertical farming has the potential to support local food production and security. In the UK population females and younger adults appear to be particularly vulnerable to micronutrient shortfalls from food sources alone. Levels of micronutrient intakes including zinc and iron are below the recommended daily intake(2). As a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) system, vertical farming employs hydroponics using a nutrient solution which offers opportunities to modulate nutrient uptake, and thus influence plant mineral and vitamin composition(3).In this study we aimed to determine the suitability of different crop types for soilless agronomic biofortification with zinc and iron to achieve biofortified crops.In this study, we investigated the effect of the addition of 20ppm (+20 mg L−1) of zinc (ZnSO4) or iron (Fe-EDTA) to the nutrient solution on the growth and nutritional components in pea microgreens, kale microgreens and kale baby leaf plants. The growth conditions were kept identical throughout the treatments with photoperiod 18 h d-1, temperature 20-22°C and relative humidity at 70-80%. Plant growth, mineral composition, glucosinolate content and protein content were evaluated. Results were analysed using ANOVA (p<0.05, Tukey’s test).It was determined that higher amounts of zinc in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of zinc in all three crops (p<0.05), with increases of 205% in pea microgreens, 264% in babyleaf kale and 217% in kale microgreens compared to the control plants. Higher amounts of iron in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of iron only in pea microgreens, with an increase of 38% (p<0.05). Neither dosing regimen negatively influenced the overall crop performance.These results suggest that the three different crops are suitable for soilless biofortification with zinc and iron, although pea microgreens were the only crop that had a significant increase in iron upon iron-dosing.

Phytochemical and Mineral contents of Croton Sparsiflorus in Bahawalpur

Although a huge quantity of plants has been studied for their medicinal importance, there is still a large number of plant species that have never been subjected to systematic phytochemical studies, proximate or mineral contents analysis. In this study, a phytochemical analysis, proximate, and mineral contents investigations have been carried out on indigenous medicinal plant of Pakistan namely Croton sparsiflorus Morong (syn. Croton bonplandianum Baill.) The proximate and phytochemical compositions of Croton sparsiflorus were investigated following standard procedures. The mineral composition was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a flame photometer. The result indicated the healthy mineral level of Croton sparsiflorus. It showed a considerable amount of Zinc (49.2 ppm), Iron (333.6 ppm), Manganese (7.6 ppm), and Copper (23.14 ppm). Phytochemical studies of Croton sparsiflorus confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, proline, and carbohydrates in varying concentrations. The proximate analysis showed that the dry contents of Croton sparsiflorus were 98.95%. The moisture content in the dry sample was found to be 0.73%. The crude protein (crude protein included both true protein and nonprotein nitrogen) content was 10.63%. This study is another confirmation of the earlier stated facts that this plant is a good source for bio-prospecting. The study further revealed that the plant, Croton sparsiflorus used has substantiated to be very essential in medical research and development, because of the phytochemicals that are contemporaneous and can be utilized in the medical field. Twigs, leaves, roots, stem, and inflorescence of Croton sparsiflorus seem to have good nutritious, and suitable mineral elements worth crucial to preserve good well-being.

Exploring Zinc-Doped Manganese Hexacyanoferrate as Cathode for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZiBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries as energy storage systems from renewable sources. Manganese hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) is a Prussian Blue analogue that exhibits the ability to insert divalent ions such as Zn2+. However, in an aqueous environment, MnHCF presents weak structural stability and suffers from manganese dissolution. In this work, zinc doping is explored as a strategy to provide the structure with higher stability. Thus, through a simple and easy-to-implement approach, it has been possible to improve the stability and capacity retention of the cathode, although at the expense of reducing the specific capacity of the system. By correctly balancing the amount of zinc introduced into the MnHCF it is possible to reach a compromise in which the loss of capacity is not critical, while better cycling stability is obtained.

Total and Extractable Micronutrients in Tropical Acid Soils of Lampung, Indonesia

ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine the total and available amounts of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in the humid tropical acid soils of Lampung, Indonesia, and to identify the key factors affecting them. Topsoil samples were taken from 10 agricultural fields and 6 natural fields in 16 sub-districts of Lampung, Indonesia. The average total contents of Fe (26.36 g kg−1), Cu (8.97 mg kg−1), and Zn (53.24 mg kg−1) are generally below the world-soil average contents and those in other acid soils, which may be due to eluviation of Fe, Cu, and Zn into subsoil induced by high rainfall and the low natural contents of especially Cu and Zn in the parent rocks (acid volcanic rocks and sandstone). In contrast, the average total Mn content (1.20 g kg−1) is 2 to 8 times higher than that commonly found in acid soils and the world-soil average content, indicating that the parent materials may contain high Mn-bearing minerals. The total Fe, Mn, and Zn are positively correlated to the clay content, exchangeable-Ca and -Mg, and exchangeable-Mg, respectively, whereas the total Cu has no correlation to any soil properties. The amounts of available Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn account for on average 0.38%, 6.20%, 21.50%, and 4.40% of the total contents, respectively. Around 6%, 12.5%, and 56% of the soil samples exhibit Mn, Cu, and Zn deficiency, respectively, and 25% face Fe toxicity. Total Fe and Mn are the main factors determining available Fe and Mn, respectively, whereas exchangeable-Mg and organic-C content mainly control available Cu and Zn, respectively.

Development and Physico-chemical analysis of value-added Chikki using iron rich garden cress seed and exploring its benefits in treatment of Anaemic patient

The effect of the incorporation of roasted garden cress seed powder (RGCSP) in the diet of girls with anaemia on Hb level and quality was evaluated. Twenty-two girls were selected and their Hb levels were estimated. Out of twenty-two girls, fifteen girls were found to be anemic and were selected for the study and it was found that four girls had mild, nine had moderate and two had severe degree of anaemia. The girls' average Hb levels dramatically raised from 8.9 to 10.4 g/dL following a 60-day intervention that also included RGCSP. Research on garden cress seed powder (GCSP) showed that roasting decreased the amount of moisture, protein, carbohydrate, and zinc while increasing the amount of ash, fat, crude fiber, and iron. Four distinct formulations were created with various amounts of GCSP (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %) to generate fortified chikki. The chikki with 15 % GCSP had the highest overall acceptance rating of among them. Compared to the control chikki, this enriched variety had higher percentages of protein (6.95 %), fat (15.87 %), moisture (4.60 %), fiber (3.95 %), and calorie content (456.23 kcal/100 g). Supplemented chikki made by fortifying with RGCSP was rich in nutritional composition.