Concentrations Of Essential Nutrients Research Articles

Analysis of nutritional components of eight famine foods of the Republic of Niger.

In the western Sahel, indigenous plants become important staples when cereal harvests are inadequate to support populations inhabiting that region of Africa. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrient content of several of these edible wild plants. The leaves of the following seven plant foods were analyzed: Ziziphus mauritiana, Cerathotheca sesamoides, Moringa oleifera, Leptadenia hastata, Hibiscus sabdarifa, Amaranthus viridis, and Adansonia digitata. The fatty acid, vitamin E, carotenoid, selected mineral and amino acid contents of these plant foods were determined. These same analyses were performed on the fruit of the Adanisonia digitata. In quantitative and qualitative terms, Amaranthus viridis was found to be an excellent source of protein. Its amino acid composition compared favorably to that of a World Health Organization (WHO) protein standard. It also contained considerable amounts of the two fatty acids that are essential in humans (linoleic and alpha-linolenic) and a number of minerals including iron, magnesium. calcium and zinc. The leaves of Hibiscus sabdarifa contained an appreciable quantity of protein the composition of which was comparable to the WHO standard. The mineral content of the leaves of this plant was also exceptionally high; noteworthy was its high zinc content. H. sabdarifa also contained significant quantities of the two essential fatty acids. Ziziphus mauritiana was an excellent source of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid and several of the metals including iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Its content of other essential nutrients, however, was rather low. In general, Adansonia digitata leaves were nutritionally superior to the fruit of the tree; however, the fruit did contain useful quantities of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and alpha-linolenic acid. The Leptadenia hastata leaves were an especially good source of lutein and beta-carotene. These data should be useful to the people who inhabit the western Sahel in helping them devise healthy diets during times when cereal staples are in short supply.

Use of orthomolecular therapy for those with behavioural problems and mental handicap: A review

Summary Over the past 25 years, there has been an increase in research investigating the impact of mega doses of nutritional substances on brain functioning. As a result, renewed interest has developed in the theory of Linus Pauling which states that some mental illnesses are due to abnormal concentrations of essential nutrients. These abnormal concentrations are determined by genetic constitution and diet. Pauling advocated the treatment of such illnesses by the provision of optimum concentrations of these vital substances. This article reviews the impact of orthomolecular therapy on those with behaviour problems and mental handicap and concludes that strong claims for significant effects emerge largely from poorly designed studies. In the case of Down's syndrome, well designed studies find no effect, but for autism the evidence of a real effect is stronger. Possible confounding factors are discussed.

Physiological and ultrastructural effects of cadmium on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves.

The effects of a 7-day exposure of 3-day-old wheat plantsto increasing Cd concentrations are described, with special attention beinggiven to chloroplast ultrastructural changes, chlorophyll fluorescenceresponses, chlorophyll and nutrient concentration changes as well as growthchanges of the whole plant. The plants treated with 1 mM Cd showed symptomsof heavy metal toxicity. The root, shoot-leaf length and the root, shoot-leafbiomass progressively decreased with increasing Cd in nutrient solution andin 1 mM of Cd an almost complete inhibition of growth was found. Shoot-leafCd accumulation increased under Cd-treatments, while a Fe, Mg, Ca, and Kdecline in the above ground parts was observed. The growth reduction and theinhibition of chlorophyll content and photosynthesis observed in the upperplant parts seemed principally due to indirect Cd effects on the content ofessential nutrients. Cadmium treatment was shown to damage the structure ofchloroplasts, as manifested by the disturbed shape and the dilation of thethylakoid membranes. These ultrastructural changes suggest that Cd probablyinduced premature senescence.

Zinc hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi caerulescens. I. Influence on growth and mineral nutrition

Abstract Thlaspi caerulescens, a metallophyte that is able to accumulate up to 4% zinc (Zn) in leaf dry matter, has attracted much attention for its possible use in phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils. In the present study, the influence of Zn supply on mineral nutrition in T. caerulescens was investigated, in order to establish the extent to which growth stimulation by high Zn supply is related to changes in the levels of other essential nutrients. The plants were exposed to nutrient solutions containing 1.5, 100, 500, 750, 1000, or 1500 μM Zn. Zinc supply significantly influenced root and shoot concentrations of essential nutrients, but excepting Zn, the concentrations stayed within the range considered adequate for optimum growth in Brassicaceae crops. Best performance was achieved with the supply of 500 μM Zn. Growth stimulation by this treatment was accompanied by increased translocation of iron (Fe) from root to shoot and a significant correlation between shoot dry weight and Fe concentrations in shoots was found.

Physiological and Molecular Changes in Aeroponically Grown, Phosphate-starved Tomatoes

We are interested in understanding the molecular changes that occur in response to phosphate starvation in the roots of tomato plants. Aeroponics offers a unique way to study the changes that occur in the roots of plants. Tomato plants were grown in an aeroponic system developed by L.A. Peterson at the Univ. of Wisconsin. Aeroponically grown tomato plants were treated with various concentrations of phosphate (Pi) ranging from 0 to 250 μm. Plants were harvested at different times after the initiation of Pi deficiency treatments for nutrient analysis and gene expression studies. Several changes in essential nutrient content were observed. A differential accumulation of magnesium between the root and shoot tissue of phosphorus-starved plants was noticed. The expression of a recently cloned phosphate starvation induced gene (TPSI1) increased with decreasing concentration of Pi in the growth media. There is a strong correlation between the concentration of the Pi in the growth media and expression of the gene. The effect of Pi starvation on the gene expression in different parts of the plant, including old and young leaves, will be discussed.

Physiological and Biochemical Changes on the Roots of Aeroponically Grown, Phosphate-starved Tomatoes

Phosphate starvation in plants results in altered biochemical and physiological responses. We are interested in understanding the changes that occur in response to phosphate starvation in the roots of tomato plants. Plants were grown in an aeroponic system developed by L.A. Peterson at the Univ. of Wisconsin. Aeroponically grown tomato plants were treated with various concentrations of phosphate, ranging from to 250 mM. Phosphate-starved plants exhibited significantly higher root to shoot ratios and a 40% decrease in the chlorophyll content of the leaves. Several changes in essential nutrient content were also observed. The phosphate concentration of both root and shoot tissues decreased as the Pi content of the nutrient solution decreased. Whereas the ratio of phosphate content in roots compared to the shoots did not change significantly in response to Pi starvation. Phosphate-starved plants accumulated significantly higher amount of magnesium in stem tissues. Furthermore, it also resulted in an increased accumulation of potassium in roots. Interestingly, the total extractable RNA from phosphate-starved roots was 1/5th of that of control roots. There was also a noticeable decrease (50%) in the total extractable RNA content of leaves from phosphate-starved plants.

Edaphic constraints to perennial grasses: Change the plant to suit the soil or vice versa?

Abstract This paper outlines the main edaphic constraints to the growth of perennial grasses that are likely to be encountered in temperate Australia. It is argued that soil management is often the appropriate means of minimising constraints such as nutrient deficiencies. However, breeding and selection for tolerance to low concentrations of essential nutrients can be beneficial where nutrients are required in subsoil soil solutions to maintain root membrane and cell integrity (phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), boron (B), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn)). Tolerance to toxicities of aluminium (Al), Mn, hydrogen ions (H+), and B is economically justified as a major breeding objective where these problems are present and the costs of soil treatment are relatively expensive e.g., ameliorating subsoils and soils supporting production systems with low gross margins per hectare. Success in breeding for salinity tolerance in pasture species has been minimal. More work is needed at the plant physiological level to defin...

Influence of urea treatment of straw amd of type of protein supplement on the milk production of cows fed maize silage and straw

The widespread availability of large amounts of cereal straw has led to a growing interest in its use in ruminant livestock although it has a low content of essential nutrients, especially nitrogen. Treatment and/or supplementation of nitrogen, energy and minerals are necessary for optimal utilization of straw.The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of different sources of nitrogen supplements offered with straw-based diets on the milk yield and milk constituents of dairy cattle and digestibility of diets.

Chromium VI Induced Structural and Ultrastructural Changes in Bush Bean Plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effect of a growth reducing chromium VI concentration (9.6 x 10-5M Cr as Na2CrO4) on the structure and ultrastructure of different organs of bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown on perlite was studied using light, transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy. The structural and ultrastructural alterations observed were quite different in the various organs analysed and did not always stay in direct relation to the average Cr content of the whole organ. The primary toxicity effect seemed to be membrane damage, due to the high oxidation power of Cr VI. It is suggested that chromium is retained in vacuoles and cell walls of roots, and that the chromium reaching the leaves may be principally Cr III and present in cell walls. The alterations observed in the upper plant parts seemed principally due to indirect Cr effects on the content of essential mineral nutrients. © 1987 Annals of Botany Company.

Effect of Dietary Fat on the Utilization of Fatty Acids by Myocardial Tissue in the Rat

Weanling rats were fed high fat diets containing 40% of energy as fat for 23 d. Diets were formulated to contain equivalent content of essential nutrients per calorie for the nonfat components. Four oil mixtures provided high dietary levels of either oleic, linoleic, linolenic or erucic acid. Effect of dietary fatty acid composition on the fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin isolated from cardiac mitochondria was examined in conjunction with the effect of diet on the oxidative activity of cardiac mitochondria. Dietary treatments that reduced the content of C16:0 in the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of phosphatidylcholine were associated with increased content of C20:1 and C22:1 fatty acids into the sn-2 position and resulted in decreased oxidative activity of cardiac mitochondria utilizing palmitylcarnitine as a substrate for oxidation. Diets high in linoleic acid did not increase membrane phospholipid content of ω3 fatty acids, but resulted in decreased level of C20:4ω6. In a subsequent perfusion experiment, hearts were removed from animals fed either high erucic or high linoleic acid diets and were perfused to examine rates of fatty acid oxidation and simultaneous synthesis of high energy phosphate compounds in cardiac muscle. Diet did not affect the levels of creatine phosphate or adenine nucleotides present in the tissue on a per-gram-wet-weight basis, but production of 14CO2 from β-oxidation of palmitic acid was lower for animals fed the high erucic acid diet than for those fed the high linoleic acid diet. Since this diet did not alter oxidation of palmitylcarnitine in vitro and as β-oxidation of lauric acid was not decreased in the perfused heart, we conclude that mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acid was not altered by diet and that low rates observed for palmitate oxidation are attributable to reduced palmitylcarnitine synthesis.

Manipulation, by nutrient limitation, of the biosynthetic activity of immobilized cells of Capsicum frutescens Mill. cv. annuum

The relationship between the synthesis and accumulation of protein and capsaicin was investigated in cultured cells of Capsicum frutescens Mill. cv. annuum immobilized in reticulate polyurethane. Cells were cultured in media containing reduced concentrations of essential nutrients, in an attempt to manipulate the rates of protein synthesis. Cells cultured in the absence of orthophosphate for 7 d demonstrated no reduction in the incorporation of L-[U-(14)C]phenylalanine into soluble protein or an increase in incorporation into capsaicin, compared with controls supplied with orthophosphate. By day 15 of culture, however, a differential incorporation of label was observed. Over a 21-d culture period the intracellular phosphate did not completely disappear. Cells cultured in the absence of nitrate and phosphate combined, however, exhibited some reduction in incorporation of [(14)C]phenylalanine into protein and an increased incorporation into capsaicin after 7 d of culture, but the differences were greater at day 15, when increases in the total capsaicin content of the cultures were apparent. There was observed a relationship between the intracellular nitrate concentration, the culture growth index, and the incorporation of [(14)C]phenylalanine into soluble protein - each of these factors was inversely related to the incorporation of label into capsaicin and the total capsaicin content of the cultures.

The influence of milling on the nutritive value of flour from cereal grains. 4. Rice

Low-tannin sorghum was milled into flour with extraction rates between 100 and 64%. The nutritive value of the flours was studied by chemical analyses and in balance experiments with growing rats. The effects of amino acid supplementation was also examined. In general, the content of essential nutrients decreased when the extraction rate was lowered, but the content of fibre, tannins and phytate was also significantly reduced by milling. The digestibility of energy as well as protein was high, but the protein quality was poor, especially in flours of low extraction. Amino acid supplementation improved protein utilization and weight gain considerably. Femur zinc concentration was significantly depressed in the rats fed the amino acid supplemented diets, and sorghum seems to be a poor source of available zinc, in particular when it is highly refined. The poor zinc availability may be attributed to the high content of phytate.

Removal of nutrients and heavy metals from anaerobic waste by aerobiological treatment

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic biological treatment in removal of nitrogen, phosphorous, and heavy metals from a unique anaerobic liquid waste, produced at a solid waste-to-methane anaerobic digestion facility. Laboratory scale continuous flow activated sludge reactors were employed in this study. The liquid waste has moderate BOD/COD ratio with BOD concentration of 1300 mg/L and high concentration of essential nutrients, making the liquid waste biologically treatable. Results showed that aerobic biological treatment can remove nitrogen and phosphorous on the order of 85%. Metal removal efficiencies vary widely for 11 metals studied in this investigation.

Elemental concentrations in plant tissues as influenced by low pH soils

Soils influenced by acid mine drainage (pH<5.0) are characterized by low concentrations of essential nutrients and increased solubility of heavy metals. The conditions typically reduce plant establishment and growth. However, river birch (Betula nigra L.) is commonly found along low pH streams in southeastern Ohio. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of Al, Mn, Ca and Mg inB. nigra tissues.

Stimulated Petroleum Biodegradation

Stimulated biodegradation has been considered as a method for removal of petroleum pollutants. Various methods have been proposed for increasing rates of petroleum biodegradation, including physical or chemical modification of petroleum polutants, modification of environmental parameters around polluting oil, and modification of microbial populations around petroleum pollutants. Physical or chemical means for stimulating petroleum biodegradation include removal of particular petroleum fractions by dissolution, burning, and emulsification. Modification of environmental parameters (such as concentrations of essential nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen) has shown the greatest promise for stimulating petroleum biodegradation. Forced aeration and addition of commercial fertilizer combinations in contained systems, addition of fertilizer with tilling in soil, and addition of fertilizer that has been rendered oleophilic in open systems have all been shown to effectively stimulate petroleum biodegradation. Modification of microbial populations by seeding with oil-degrading microorganisms appears to be valuable in stimulating petroleum biodegradation only in limited situations where the naturally occuring numbers of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms are low.

Somatic adaptation in cerebral palsy ‐ summary and general discussion

SummaryFourty‐one school children with severe affliction of cerebral palsy participated in one or more studies on adaptory mechanisms in cerebral palsy.The studies dealt with the physical working capacity, lung volumes, body composition, nutrition, and spontaneous activity. Effects of therapy with physical training and improved nutrition were also studied.Data from the different studies were integrated and gave the following results.Thea abnormal body composition during growth directly affects body weight (BW). rörelsehinder this reason, body cell mass (BCM), representing the active metabolic mass, is suggested as the reference value rörelsehinder subjects with cerebral palsy, with respect to metabolic data, including gross body composition.The mean physical working capacity berörelsehindere training was 71 per cent of that of healthy children per kg BCM. The main limits to maximal work were considered muscular. The severity of the handicap appeared to be the factor most closely related to the original low working capacity of the factors studied.The physical working capacity significantly increased to a mean of 90 per cent of normal values.The total lung capacity was reduced when compared to the predictions för height (BH), but adequate when correlated to BCM. The subjects with dyskinetic cerebral palsy had an abnormal volume distribution of air with increased residual volume.Malnutritive changes were found in the body composition with a decrease of BCM to 85 per cent of the prediction för BH and with an increase of extracellular water (ECW) from a predicted mean of 0.56 per kg BCM to 1.06. In addition 7 of 23 subjects had a BH below the 2.5 per cent population limit för age. The physical training alone, and in combination with an improved nutrition, significantly reduced ECW, but did not effect BCM. BF was significantly increased by training only. Improved nutrition alone had no significant effects, which indicated that the malnutrition was not severe. The increased extracellular mass (ECW+ BF) may cause a metabolic load on the cells and abnormal conditions för transport.The spontaneous physical activity correlated well with total body potassium (Ke, BCM). Factors which may modify the habitual activity such as age and BF were studied.The difference in neuromotor disturbance between the spastic and the dyskinetic group caused minor differences, concerning volume distribution of air in the lungs, voluntary control of movements after exhaustion and body fat amounts.The severity of handicap was found to be of importance in causing unspecific somatic complications. The motor disability restrains the physical activity and creates subjects with a low energy need. The consequences of this can be softened by a proper management, which provides a variety of physical activities and a diet with a high content of essential nutrients per unit energy.

Chemical composition and nutrition value of bulk and granular compound feed for young pigs

Purpose. To investigate the chemical composition and nutritional value of loose and granular feed. To make samples of loose and granular feed, make chemical analysis of loose and granular feeds, compare their chemical composition and content of essential nutrients. Methods. In the process of research general scientific methods were used: deduction, scientific hypothesis and abstraction. Zootechnical analysis methods were used to determine the chemical composition of compound feeds. Results. Analysis of the chemical composition of loose and granular feed in absolutely dry matter shows a higher content of essential nutrients in granular feed, so the content of crude protein in granular feed is higher by 3.52%, crude fat – by 1.45%, crude fiber and nitrogen-free of extractives – by 1.48% and by 2.79% lower than in bulk feed. Nutritional value of one kilogram of granulated feed in absolutely dry matter is 0.04 energy feed units, or 0.37 MJ, higher than of bulk feed, and content of digestible protein by 18 g, or 14.5%, higher than in bulk compound feed. 136.8 g of crude protein and 107.8 g of digestible protein fall per one energy feed unit in loose feed, 161.8 g of crude protein and 119.3 g of digestible protein in granular feed, or 25g and 11.5 g more. Analysis of the carbohydrate-lignin composition of granular and loose feed in absolutely dry matter shows a decrease of 2.8% in the amount of easily soluble sugars, starch – by 1.41%, sugar – by 0.40%, hemicellulose – by 0.39%, lignin – by 0.82% in granular feed. Conclusions. The use of granulation allows to increase the energy and protein nutritional value of feed due to the concentration of essential nutrients in the dry matter of granulated feed.

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on morphological and biochemical traits of some Apiaceae crops under arid region conditions in Egypt

Khalid KA. 2013. Effect of nitrogen fertilization on morphological and biochemical traits of some Apiaceae crops under arid region conditions in Egypt. Nusantara Bioscience 5: 15-21. Arid regions in Egypt are characterized by poor nutrients content and unfavorable environmental conditions which negatively affect growth and productivity of medicinal and aromatic plants including anise, coriander and sweet fennel. So the main objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of different levels of N, namely 0 (control), 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 used as ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO] (20% N), on selected morphological and biochemical characteristics of anise, coriander and sweet fennel plants cultivated under arid regions conditions during two successive seasons. The most effective dose of nitrogen was 200 kg ha-14 of N, resulting in a positive increase in vegetative growth characters and content of essential oil, fixed oil, total carbohydrates, soluble sugars, protein and nutrients (NPK).

List of participants in the work of the OECD-group on wear of engineering materials, (being a supplement to the review paper by A. W. J. de Gee) : Lubrication and Wear Group Fourth Convention, Scheveningen, 1966, Inst. Mech. Engrs. For reprint write to Metal Research Institute T.N.O., Delft, The Netherlands

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) has proven to be an attractive material for improving soil structure in tilled soils and increasing dry matter production in grassland soils, owing to its high organic matter content and availability of essential plant nutrients. Because of this, it is important to identify the variability in composition of SMC in order to evaluate its merit as a fertilizer/soil conditioner. For this reason, a study was carried out involving the analysis of SMC samples obtained from five mushroom growers using compost from each of the 13 mushroom composting yards currently operating in both Northern Ireland (5 yd) and the Republic of Ireland (8 yd). The selected parameters measured include dry matter, organic matter, total N, P and K, C/N ratio; plant-available P and K, pH, EC, total Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb; and cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin constituents. Yield of mushroom data were also collected from the selected growers. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) within two compost production yards for some parameters, therefore, for the most part, the uniformity of SMC within each yard is relatively consistent. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were evident when comparing SMC obtained from growers supplied with compost from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland independently, particularly among total and available phosphorus and potassium values. The results obtained show that, while SMC has fertilizer merit, its variability of composition must be taken into account when assessing this value. The variability of composition is also of particular interest in the context of recent emphasis on plant nutrient management in agriculture.

Wear and friction of the platinum metals. Performance in sliding contacts : M. Antler, Platinum Metals Rev., 10 (1) (1966) 2–8

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) has proven to be an attractive material for improving soil structure in tilled soils and increasing dry matter production in grassland soils, owing to its high organic matter content and availability of essential plant nutrients. Because of this, it is important to identify the variability in composition of SMC in order to evaluate its merit as a fertilizer/soil conditioner. For this reason, a study was carried out involving the analysis of SMC samples obtained from five mushroom growers using compost from each of the 13 mushroom composting yards currently operating in both Northern Ireland (5 yd) and the Republic of Ireland (8 yd). The selected parameters measured include dry matter, organic matter, total N, P and K, C/N ratio; plant-available P and K, pH, EC, total Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb; and cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin constituents. Yield of mushroom data were also collected from the selected growers. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) within two compost production yards for some parameters, therefore, for the most part, the uniformity of SMC within each yard is relatively consistent. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were evident when comparing SMC obtained from growers supplied with compost from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland independently, particularly among total and available phosphorus and potassium values. The results obtained show that, while SMC has fertilizer merit, its variability of composition must be taken into account when assessing this value. The variability of composition is also of particular interest in the context of recent emphasis on plant nutrient management in agriculture.