Content Of Bioelements Research Articles

Content of bioelements in the lungs and liver in rats with alimentary obesity

The synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence technique (SRXRF) was applied to the determination of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, and Sr concentrations in the liver and lungs in Wistar rats. The animals in the experiment included (1) healthy rats, (2) rats with alimentary obesity (AO), and (3) rats with alimentary obesity that were being given zinc sulphate with water for a long time (АО+Zn). Each group was divided into two subgroups. The experiment with the first subgroup was terminated with the animals in the state of physiological hunger and subsequent retrieval of liver and lung tissue, while the animals of the second subgroup were sacrificed two hours after ingestion of lard. The rats in physiological hunger manifested intergroup differences in the content of the bioelements (BEs) neither in the liver nor in the lungs. The rats with AO, as compared with the healthy animals, demonstrated in physiological hunger redistribution of inter-element correlations (IECs), which is an indirect reflection of sustained metabolic disorder. Additional zinc in the rats’ ration did not affect their body weight and the concentration of the BEs (including zinc) in the liver and the lungs. However, the IECs in the tissues of these animals in physiological hunger also changed. This redistribution differed from that in the rats with AO. The IECs soon after ingestion of lard also changed, which also reflects sustained changes in the metabolism in the animals.

Obsah vybraných biogenních prvků v pletivech sazenic smrku ztepilého (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) a buku lesního (Fagus sylvatica L.) po hnojení dusíkem a hořčíkem

The paper informs of N, P, K, Ca and Mg-contents in the selected organs (tissues) of 4-year old Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) and 3-year old European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) transplants after two years of Mg fertilization (100 kg Mg.ha−1.year−1) in the form of magnesium sulphate, and N fertilization (100 kg N.ha−1.year−1) in the form of ammonium sulphate. Analyses of buds, needles/leaves, bark and wood of above-ground part, fine roots (≤ 1 mm) and small-diameter roots (> 1 mm) showed that the greatest amounts of uptaken nutrients are in both tree species stored in assimilatory organs and in buds. The increased supply of nitrogen showed most in small-diameter roots (spruce), and in root-wood, and wood of stem and branches (beech). The two species responded to the increased supply of magnesium by increasing the bioelement content in root-wood and in fine roots. The increase of Mg-content in leaves occurred only in the second year of the fertilization.

Effects of Food Color Additiveson Antioxidant Functions and Bioelement Contents of Liver, Kidney and Brain Tissues in Rats

A number of chemical food coloring additives are added during processing to improve the appearance of thef oods and drinks. Tartrazine and carmoisine are organic azo dyes widely used in food products, drugs and cosmetics. The present study conducted to evaluate the effects of these food coloring additives via determination of bioelements, oxidant and antioxidant levels in liver, kidney, brain tissues and measurement of antioxidantvitamin levels in serum of rats. Animals were administered in high and low doses of tartrazine and carmoisine for a period of 15 d followed by blood and tissue sample collection for determination of antioxidant vitamin levels in serum and reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and most important trace and major bioelement contents in tissues. We did not observed any statistically significant changes in antioxidant vitamin levels in serum and in tissue MDA and GSH contents. But we determined the some significant changes about levels of bioelements in rats' liver, kidney and brain tissues exposed to the tartrazine and carmoisine. We concluded that tartrazine and carmoisine affect and alter bioelements levels in vital organs e.g. liver, kidney and brain. This issue should be considered by food manufacturers and consumers always.

Роль нарушений биоэлементного обмена при неалкогольной жировой болезни печени у больных сахарным диабетом 2-го типа

Были обследованы больные сахарным диабетом 2-го типа с жировой дистрофией печени. Кроме общепринятых методов, для дифференциальной диагностики использовали определение биоэлементного состава крови (калий, натрий, магний, медь, цинк, железо, кальций). Установлены изменения микро- и макроэлементного обмена у пациентов с сахарным диабетом 2-го типа и неалкогольной жировой болезнью печени в зависимости от активности патологического процесса в печени и стадии заболевания. Уместным при обследовании больных является определение уровней калия, натрия, кальция, магния, цинка, меди и железа как дополнительных критериев оценки степени тяжести заболевания и функционального состояния печени.

Polyphenolic compounds and bioelements in fruits of eastern teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) harvested in different fruit maturity phases

Eastern teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) is known for its high content of essential oils in leaves and fruits, which are used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries. Recently, teaberries have been attracting more interest owing to their content of polyphenolic compounds. The purpose of our study has been to determine the content of polyphenolic compounds (anthocyanins and total phenols) as well as their antioxidative activity and the concentration of several bioelements (Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn) in extracts from fruits of Eastern teaberry harvested in three different fruit maturity stages. The content of polyphenolic compounds depended on the harvest date. The highest level of these compounds was found in extracts from teaberries collected in the full maturity phase. All teaberry extracts, independently of the harvest date, demonstrated high antioxidative activity. Among the bioelements determined, teaberry extracts contained more calcium than magnesium and more iron than zinc. The content of such bioelements as Mg, Fe and Zn (in contrast to Ca) found in teaberry extracts did not depend on the harvest date.

Content of bioelements and toxic metals in honey of various botanical orgin from Lower Silesia

Analyzing the content of bioelements and toxic metals in honeys of various botanical origin is important for the consumers’ health. In addition, many authors notice that results of such analyses can help to identify the botanical and geographical origin of honey and to use the product as a bioindicator of the overall contamination of the environment. The content of As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Mg, Fe, Cr was determined in samples of nectar honey (acacia, linden, goldenrod, multifloral, buckwheat, oilseed rape) originating from some areas in the Province of Lower Silesia unexposed to industrial and traffic emissions. In order to demonstrate differences in concentrations of the metals in particular honey samples, one-factor analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied, and the correlation between levels of individual metals in the honeys was investigated. Similarities between the honeys with regard to the metal content were determined using Ward’s method of cluster analysis. Among the analyzed nectar honeys from Lower Silesia, the content of zinc was the highest in linden flower honey (13.41 mg kg–1), copper and manganese – in buckwheat (1.50 mg kg–1 and 9.40 mg kg–1, respectively), nickel – in multifloral (1.03 mg kg–1) and buckwheat (1.25 mg kg–1), magnesium – in goldenrod (29.6 mg kg–1) and iron – in linden flower (2.11 mg kg–1) and goldenrod (2.00 mg kg–1) honeys. The content of arsenic, cadmium and lead did not exceed the permissible values, i.e. 0.20, 0.03 and 0.30 mg kg–1. The correlation analysis performed on the concentrations of the metals in the honeys demonstrated that manganese was positively correlated with copper and nickel, while iron corre-

Using two methods for plant material preparation in order to determine the content of bioelements in red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. f. rubra)

Mineral components (bioelements) are one of the five major groups of nutrients in human diet, next to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins. The required daily amounts per capita are over 100 mg of macroelements and less than 100 mg of microelements. Every industrial processing technology applied to vegetable produce causes precipitation of bioelements and consequently undesirable losses of these components. The purpose of this study has been to analyze the content of bioelements (Ca, Mg, Zn, and Fe) determined in homogenizates and extracts from three red cabbage cultivars (Koda, Haco POL, Kissendrup SWE). Correlation coefficients served to assess the concordance between the plant material preparation methods used for determination of bioelements. The correlation between the content of Mg versus Ca and Zn versus Fe in edible parts of cabbage (homogenizates) compared to the levels of these metals in red cabbage extracts was tested. Two methods for the preparation of plant material for chemical analyses were used: homogenization and extraction. Citric acid solution of the concentration of 0.1 mol dm –3 was used for extraction. The content of bioelements was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

The state of bioelements in the hair of free-ranging European bisons from Bialowieza Primeval Forest

Human or animal hair is considered to be a good indicator of the content of bioelements or toxic elements in human and animal organism. Its analysis is a good alternative for the arduous obtaining blood or biopsy samples. The aim of the performed research was the assessment of some chosen bioelements in the organism of European bison on the basis of their analysis in hair. The investigation material comprised hair samples obtained from 22 animals. All animals were divided into groups according to gender (males, females) and age (calves up to one year of age and animals older than 2 years). Samples were mineralized in nitric acid, under pressure in the microwave apparatus. The content of phosphorus, sulphur, magnesium, iron, titanium and vanadium were determined in hair samples. The content of these elements was determined using the ICP-AES method in accredited laboratory. The accuracy of determinations was tested using the standard reference material. The mean content of phosphorus in hair amounted to 245.14 mg x kg(-1), SD 65.00, magnesium 97.32 mg x kg(-1), SD 33.16, iron 119.48 mg x kg(-1), SD 83.31 and titanium 2.368 mg x kg(-1), SD 2.097. In case of these elements, differences depending on gender and age were statistically insignificant. Mean content of sulphur in the European bison hair amounted to 3.41% with equalized content in the herd (SD 0.22%). Here also statistically insignificant differences depending on gender were observed. However, a statistically significant difference (p < or = 0,05) was demonstrated which depended on animal age. Mature European bisons had more sulphur in hair as compared to calves. The concentration of vanadium (0.362 mg x kg(-1), SD 0.396 on the average) significantly differed in hair depending on the European bison age with much higher values in adult animals (calves 0.260 mg x kg(-1), animals older than 2 years 0.686 mg x kg(-1)). Similar data were obtained while investigating hair of sea mammals.

Blood and urine cadmium and bioelements profile in nickel-cadmium battery workers in Serbia

Although cadmium (Cd) is extensively used for nickel-cadmium battery production, few recent reports are available on the effect of this toxic metal on the imbalance of biometals in occupational exposure. The current study was carried out to determine the Cd level and its effect on the content of bioelements: zinc, cooper, magnesium, and iron in blood and urine of workers exposed to Cd during nickel-cadmium battery production. beta(2)-microglobulins (beta(2)-MG), as indicators of kidney damage, were determined in urine.The study group comprised 32 male nickel-cadmium battery workers, and the control group had 15 male construction workers with no history of Cd exposure. Levels of Cd and bioelements were determined in blood and urine by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.Cd concentration in blood of exposed workers was around 10 microg/L and in urine ranged from 1.93 to 8.76 microg/g creatinine (cr). Urine Cd concentration was significantly higher in exposed workers than in the controls, although no statistical difference in beta(2)-MG content was observed in urine between the two groups. Blood Zn and Mg level were significantly reduced and urine Zn level was increased in Cd-exposed group when compared with controls.The mean Cd concentrations in blood and urine did not exceed the recommended reference values of 10 microg/L in blood and 10 microg/g cr in urine. Cd exposure resulted in disturbances of Zn in blood and urine and Mg in blood but had no effect on Cu and Fe content in biological fluids.

Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc and Copper Concentration In the Hair of Tobacco Smokers

In the research, the content of bioelements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Cu) in the hair of individuals who reside in similar environmental conditions was spectrometrically determined with the use of AES-ICP spectrophotometer. The relation to their tobacco-smoking habit, age, and sex was established. It was observed that the results obtained were in the range of the content identified for the Polish population. Tobacco smokers had a decreased content of all the bioelements in question, compared to non-smokers, which apparently resulted from a decreased supply (lesser appetite) and reduced absorption caused by disturbances in the digestive system functions. Also, it has been observed that in the group of elderly people, over 50 years old, there was a fall in the content of calcium, magnesium, and iron both in smokers and non-smokers, irrespective of their sex. The sex-related differences in the content of the investigated elements were not unidirectional and only in few cases did they reveal statistical significance.

Effects of Extraction Conditions on the Content of Anthocyanins and Bioelements in Berry Fruit Extracts

Two methods for extracting anthocyanins and bioelements [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe)] from black chokeberry, black currant, strawberry, and bilberry fruits were compared in this study. Correlations between the content of anthocyanins and bioelements in fruit extracts were determined using method A [extraction with hydrochloric acid (HCl)] and method B [extraction with water (H2O)]. Relationships between the content of anthocyanins and particular nutrients, as well as between Mg and Ca and between Zn and Fe, in fruit extracts obtained by method A and by method B were also established. The mean content of anthocyanins and bioelements (Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe) was the highest in black chokeberry fruits, regardless of the extraction method used. Bilberry fruits had the lowest nutrient content, despite a high anthocyanin content. The mean content of anthocyanins and bioelements was higher in fruit extracts obtained by method A than method B. The coefficients used to recalculate method A into method B were anthocyanins, 5.1; Ca, 1.1; Mg, 1.2; and Zn, 2.2. The statistical analysis showed that the effect of a given extraction method on the content of anthocyanins and bioelements (except for Ca) in fruit extracts depended on fruit species. The correlations between the content of anthocyanins, Ca, Mg and Zn in fruit extracts obtained by method A were found to be positive and highly significant, in comparison with method B. There was no correlation between the content of anthocyanins and particular nutrients in fruit extracts obtained by method A and by method B. The Mg content of fruit extracts was highly significantly higher than the Ca content, irrespective of the extraction method applied.

Bioelement effects on thyroid gland in children living in iodine-adequate territory

Endemic goitre is a primary pathology of thyroid gland and critical medico social problem in many countries. A dominant cause of endemic goitre is iodine deficiency. However, besides primary iodine deficiency, the goitre may probably develop due to effects of other bioelement imbalances, essential to thyroid function maintenance. Here we studied 44 cases of endemic goitre in prepubertal children (7–10 y.o.) living in iodine-adequate territory. Thyroid volume was estimated by ultrasonometry. Main bioelements (Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mg, Mn, Pb, Se, Si, Zn) were determined in hair samples by ICP-OES/ICP-MS method. Relationships between hair content of bioelements and thyroid gland size were estimated by multiple regressions. The regression model revealed significant positive relations between thyroid volume and Cr, Si, Mn contents. However, the actual factor of thyroid gland increase was only Si excess in organism. Significant negative relations of thyroid volume were revealed with I, Mg, Zn, Se, Co and Cd. In spite of this, the actual factors of thyroid gland volume increasing were I, Co, Mg and Se deficiency. Total bioelement contribution in thyroid impairment was estimated as 24%. Thus, it was suggested that endemic goitre in iodine-adequate territory can be formed by bioelement imbalances, namely Si excess and Co, Mg, Se shortage as well as endogenous I deficiency in spite of iodine-adequate environment.

δ13C and δ15N in the ornithogenic sediments from the Antarctic maritime as palaeoecological proxies during the past 2000 yr

In this paper, we have examined carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions in two ornithogenic sediment profiles from the Ardley Island and Barton Peninsula of Antarctica for palaeoecological changes during the past 2000 yr. The δ 13C values of the two sediment profiles range from − 22.26‰ to − 19.15‰ (PDB) in Core G and from − 24.01‰ to − 19.87‰ in profile A, showing that the predominant carbon source in the sediments plausibly comes from terrestrial and aquatic plants in Antarctic such as mosses, lichens, and algae in lakes. As these δ 13C values are also close to those in the fresh lake sediments that are not influenced by penguin guano, one may not use the δ 13C values as evidence for the influence of guano on the sediments. The δ 15N values of the two profiles range from 4.75‰ to 18.34‰ (air) and from 5.17‰ to 10.38‰ for Core G and Core A, respectively. The δ 15N variations have positive correlations with the trends of the bio-element contents in the sediments. As the levels of these bio-elements in ornithogenic sediments had been used to reconstruct the changes of historical penguin population and tundra vegetation abundance and diversity, we then suggest that the δ 15N records can be utilized to study palaeoecological processes of penguin. Our results show that penguin population and activity has generally decreased over the past 2000 yr. From 1300 to 900 yr BP and from 1790 to 1860 AD, penguin population and activity experienced two strong decreases. It will be interesting to understand the cause of these decreases.

Comparative study of the elemental composition of vegetative and dormant microbial cells

X-ray microanalysis showed that vegetative cells, viable resting forms, and nonviable forms (micromummies) of the bacteria Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus luteus and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae differ in the contents of bioelements S, P, Ca, and K and the Ca/K and P/S ratios. Viable resting forms (cystlike refractory cells and bacillar endospores) had more calcium and less phosphorus and potassium than vegetative cells, the difference being higher for bacilli than for micrococci and yeasts. The distinctive feature of all viable resting microbial forms was their low P/S ratios and high Ca/K ratios. The differences revealed in the cellular content and ratios of bioelements probably reflect changes in ionic homeostasis accompanying the transition of vegetative microbial cells to the dormant state. Relevant potassium parameters indicate that the membranes of viable resting forms retain their barrier function. At the same time, the nonviable forms, even morphologically intact, of B. cereus and S. cerevisiae exhibited an anomalously low content of potassium, while those of M. luteus had an anomalously high content of this element. This suggests that the cellular membranes of micromummies lose their barrier function, which results in a free diffusion of potassium ions across the membranes. The possibility of using the elemental composition parameters for quick analysis of the physiological state of microorganisms in natural environments is discussed.

Dynamics of bioelements during leaf decomposition in three forest ecosystems of semiarid climate in the Duero Basin

The dynamics of bioelements lost during leaf litter decomposition were experimentally determined in three forest ecosystems located in a semiarid zone of the Duero Basin, Province of Zamora, Spain, during 2 years. The three ecosystems were a climax Quercus rotundifolia (evergreen oak) woodland, a paraclimax Pinus pinea (stone pine) forest, and a disclimax P. pinaster (maritime pine) forest. The total content of bioelements found in the litter was low in relation to other forest ecosystems: 27, 14, and 8 kg N ha−1 in Q. pyrenaica, P. pinea, and P. pinaster, respectively; 17, 10, and 9 kg Ca ha−1, respectively; about 2 kg P ha−1, 4 kg K ha−1, and 5 kg Mg ha−1 in the three forests. The Q. rotundifolia woodland potentially returns a greater amount of N and Ca than both Pinus forests. An in situ litter bag method was used for the determination of dynamics of the decomposing leaves. A progressive loss of C, P, and Mg in the decomposing oak leaves and pine needles, and a sharp loss of K were observed; by compari...

THE VEGETATION OF A SEASONAL VÁRZEA FOREST IN THE LOWER SOLIMÕES RIVER, BRAZILIAN AMAZONIA

The species composition of the seasonal várzea forest growing on a bank of the Ilha de Marchantaria / lower Solimões-Amazonas River, Brazil was studied in an area of slightly less than one hectare. Two biomass plots were harvested. Forty-seven arboreal species representing 46 genera in 25 families were recorded. Tree density was 1086 per hectare. Total basal area was 45 m2 ha1. Mean species density was 6.5 ± 1.98 per 100 m2. The most abundant species were Crataeva benthamii(Capparidaceae), Laetia corymbutosa(Flacourtiaceae) and Vitex cymosa(Verbenaceae). The highest basal area per species was 10.2 m2 for Pseudobombax munguba(Bombacaceae). The common species are known to be typical floristic elements of the seasonal varzea forest. Above ground dry biomass was equal to 97 and 255 t ha', respectively. Its chemical composition is characterized by comparatively high bioelement contents equal to 2.4 percent on the average. Calcium was the most important bioelement. Structure of the forest and age darings of trees allow the successional classification of the stands.

Scavenging processes of marine particles in Osaka Bay

The scavenging processes of marine particles in Osaka Bay was investigated using bioelement (C,N,P) distribution as an indicator. Nutrient concentrations in the water and bioelement contents in suspended particles, sinking particles and surface sediments were monitored for three years (1985 to 1987). Large variations appeared to depend on environmental conditions. Bioelement concentrations in suspended particles and sinking particles decrease remarkably going from the inner part of the bay to the offshore water area. Our results suggested that the position of the tidal front in Osaka Bay agrees very closely with 20 – 30 m water depth; the chemical character of suspended particles and sinking particles was considerably different from across the tidal frontal area. According to the chemical character of sinking particles at the offshore water area station, these particles are mainly made up of “old particles” of which the labile organic matter fraction was already decomposed. Sedimentation of nitrogen in the inner part of the bay accounts for approximately 6 % of all nitrogen inputs to Osaka Bay. These results are very important in learning how marine particles participate in scavenging and cycling in Osaka Bay.

Bioelement content and biomass in scots pine: Effect of acidification and liming

Dry weights and bioelement contents in biomass of Scots pine (aboveground) were estimated on some differently treated plots from one acidification experiment in North Sweden. Dry weight estimates of Scots pine biomass showed relatively small differences between treatments. The content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and S showed significant differences in a number of cases. The amount of N in different crown components increased; fertilizer-N recovered in the biomass was up to 10% of that added (in total, the NPK-plots received 1260 kg N ha−1). The concentration of other elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and S) showed some effect of the treatments, but was not as marked as that of N. Especially interesting is a decrease in the level of Mg in needles and shoots on the NPK-treated plots. The concentration of S was influenced by application of acid, but much more by NPK-fertilization throughout the period.

Bioelement content and biomass in scots pine: Effect of acidification and liming

Bioelement content and biomass in scots pine: Effect of acidification and liming

The influence of compound fertilizer and cupric sulfate on the growth and the bioelement content of cembra pine seedlings (Pinus cembra)

It was the purpose of this study to investigate the effect of compound fertilization and compound fertilization with cupric sulfate on the growth and the bioelement content of cembra pine seedlings. At the same time microbiological investigations of the soil were carried out under the same conditions.