Minerals Ca Research Articles

Effect of photoperiod on eggshell quality and quality characteristics of tibia, femur, and ulna in laying ducks

We investigated the effect of photoperiod on eggshell quality, bone quality characteristics and bone metabolism related enzymes and factors in laying ducks. After adaption, 300 Jinding laying ducks (252-day-old) were randomly divided into 5 treatments, receiving 12L (hours of light):12D (hours of darkness), 14L:10D, 16L:8D, 18L:6D or 20L:4D, respectively. Each group had 6 replicates of 10 birds each. The feeding experiment lasted 8 wk. Compared with 12L:12D, the higher values of eggshell breaking strength occurred in ≥18 h photoperiods at the end of 6 wk, and in ≥16 h photoperiods at the end of 4 wk, with the common highest values in 18 h photoperiod (P ˂ 0.05). Besides, 18L:6D had higher values of ultimate load Fu and cortical cross-sectional area A in tibia, femur, and ulna (P ˂ 0.05), compared with 12L:12D. The higher values of proximal bone mineral content (BMC; tibia), distal BMC (ulna), total Ca (tibia), and cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMC; tibia and ulna) were observed in 16L:8D and 18L:6D treatments (P ˂ 0.05). Meanwhile, 18 h photoperiod group had the higher proximal BMC (femur) and total Ca in ulna (P ˂ 0.05). In serum, compared with 12L:12D group, the higher ALP activity occurred in ≥16 h photoperiods (0:00 and 18:00), with the highest values in 18L:6D treatment (P ˂ 0.05); the higher values of TGF-β (6:00) and OC (6:00 and 18:00) were simultaneously observed in 18 h photoperiod (P ˂ 0.05). Moreover, values of trACP activity, TNF-α and IL-6 contents decreased in ≥18 h photoperiods at 0:00 (P ˂ 0.05), compared with 12L:12D group. To sum up, an appropriate photoperiod could improve eggshell quality, bone strength and mineral content through increasing osteogenesis during the light time and decreasing resorption activity during the dark, and 18 h is an adequate photoperiod for the eggshell and bone quality of laying ducks.

Rhizosphere interactions between PAH-degrading bacteria and Pteris vittata L. on arsenic and phenanthrene dynamics and transformation

The pot experiment was conducted to monitor the dynamics in soil solution chemistry in order to determine the main rhizosphere processes determining As and PAH bioavailability when utilizing P. vittata and PAH-degrading bacteria to remediate co-contaminated soils. The result showed that P. vittata was capable of depleting soil solution As and increasing phenanthrene solubilization, and thus facilitating plant As uptake and phenanthrene dissipation. Bacterial inoculation enhanced soil phenanthrene dissipation and concurrently modified As bioavailability though increasing soil pH, facilitating Fe and Ca minerals solubilization, and accelerating organic matter decomposition. However, the main factors that determine As bioavailability in the rhizosphere considerably varied with plant genotypes. Upon bacterial inoculation, P and Fe strongly influenced As(V) availability and its uptake by the Guangxi accession, and DOC, Fe, and pH were the main parameters correlated with As(V) availability in the rhizosphere of the Hunan accession. Bacterial inoculation tended to stimulate As(V) reduction in the rhizosphere of P. vittata. Microbial-induced changes in Ca, S, and C cycling and pH were indicators of As(V) reduction. Although bacterial inoculation increased soil As and phenanthrene availability, striking differences in As and nutrients uptake and phenanthrene dissipation were observed between P. vittata genotypes. It is suggested that apart from the microbial transformation, plant genotypes and bacterial mediated plant nutrition are also the critical factors in controlling the fates of As and phenanthrene. Our results uncovered the interactions between P. vittata and PAH-degrading bacteria on rhizosphere properties and nutrients cycling regulating As and PAH availability and remediation efficiency.

Phytochemical Characterization of Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum as Mexican Mistletoe Plants with Antimicrobial Activity.

In Mexico, mistletoes have several applications in traditional medicine due to the great variety of compounds with biological activities that have not been characterized to date. The goals of the present study are to analyze the composition of minerals and phytochemical compounds in Mexican mistletoes Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum qualitatively and quantitatively, identify the compounds using HPLC-MS, and assess the antimicrobial potential in phytopathogenic microorganism control. Mineral content was evaluated with X-ray fluorescence. Three types of extracts were prepared: ethanol, water, and aqueous 150 mM sodium chloride solution. Characterization was carried out using qualitative tests for phytochemical compound groups, analytical methods for proteins, reducing sugars, total phenol, flavonoids quantification, and HPLC-MS for compound identification. The antimicrobial activity of mistletoe’s liquid extracts was evaluated by microplate assay. K and Ca minerals were observed in both mistletoes. A qualitative test demonstrated alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and quinones. Ethanolic extract showed flavonoids, 3845 ± 69 and 3067 ± 17.2 mg QE/g for Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively, while aqueous extracts showed a total phenol content of 65 ± 6.9 and 90 ± 1.19 mg GAE/g Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively. HPLC-MS identified largely hydroxycinnamic acids and methoxycinnamic acids. Clavibacter michiganenses was successfully inhibited by aqueous extract of both mistletoes.

DIETARY ORGANIC MINERAL INFLUENCES THE GROWTH, FEED UTILIZATION AND VERTEBRAL MINERAL CONTENT OF WILD GOLDEN RABBITFISH, Siganus guttatus

The positive effect of organic mineral as a dietary mineral source in aquafeed has been recently reported on several species. Nevertheless, the influence of organic minerals on rabbitfish has not yet been determined. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of organic mineral on growth and survival, and mineral content in vertebrae of golden rabbitfish, Siganus guttatus. Three diets were formulated containing 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% organic material (OM). A control diet (OM0) did not contain OM. Instead, it was supplemented with an inorganic mineral mixture at a level of 1%. Three hundred fish were randomly selected and distributed in 12 cages to accommodate the four treatments with triplicates. The stocking density was 20 fish per cage. The initial body weight of fish used was 39.2 ± 0.3 g. Fish were fed the test diets twice a day for 150 days. A significant (P<0.05) cubic effect of the treatments was detected on all dependent parameters analysis, excluding feed intake. The influence of dietary OM was not significant for feed intake, indicating that dietary OM did not negatively affect the appetite of rabbitfish. Mineral (Ca, Mg, Zn) content in the vertebrae was significantly improved when dietary OM was included in the diet up to 1% but decreased at the highest inclusion level of 2%. The optimum level of dietary OM to gain the maximum growth rate of rabbitfish was 0.49% as the reflection of the breakpoint of two regressions fitted on specific growth rate (SGR). It is concluded that dietary OM level significantly affected the growth and vertebral mineral content of golden rabbitfish. The study increases our knowledge of the benefit of utilizing dietary OM in the fish diet.

Inhibition of cadmium releasing from sulfide tailings into the environment by carbonate-mineralized bacteria

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) could be a potential green solution to resolve the issue of heavy metal releasing from the sulfide tailings. However, detailed mechanism of heavy metal-biomineralization in sulfide tailings and impact of procedure parameters on in-situ applications remain unexplored. We systematically investigated the biomineralization process in the column tests for a better understanding of the mechanism and effects on the inhibition of cadmium (Cd) releasing from sulfide tailings. Results revealed that uniform and efficient mineralization in the tailings column occurred under bacterial concentration of 1 × 108 cfu mL−1, bacterial retention time of 3 h, concentration of mineralization solution of 0.25 mol L−1, and flow rate of 1.5 mL min−1. The leachable Cd concentration decreased 80.7% after 7 mineralization cycles. From a suit of characterizations, bacteria can adhere on the tailings and acted as the nucleation sites to induce the mineralization of Ca and Cd (to (Ca0.67, Cd0.33)CO3 and calcite phase); eventually, tailings particles were coated with the growth of mineralized carbonates, resulting in a reduction of exposure for tailings (especially sulfur). And thus, Cd release was inhibited. Results from this study will provide a fundamental basis for future in-situ applications of MICP to mitigate heavy metal pollutions.

Bioavailabilitas Mineral Ca (in vitro) pada Jagung (Zea mays L), dengan Penambahan Asam Sitrat dan Fitase Bacilus subtilis HG

Abstract. Background & Aims: Mineral Ca is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Lack of mineral Ca in the human body in the long term will result in loss and calcification. Corn is food ingredient that contains vegetable calcium, it is widely consumed by Indonesians. The purpose of the research to obtain information on the bioavailability of the mineral Ca (in vitro) in corn (Zea mays L) with the addition of citric acid and phytase’s Basillus subtilis HG isolate.Methods: The research consists of two steps. The first step is to determine the best treatment in reducing phytate acid in corn with variations of the submersion duration and the citric acid concentrate, with the variation of phytase enzyme concentrations. The second step is to determine the bioavailability of mineral Ca through in vitro proses. The data analysis used two way anova and one away anova.Results: The results of the research: 1) the best treatment to reduce phytate acid in found in the immersion of corn with 9% citric acid for 12 hours in the amount of 32.45%, whereas in the variation of the concentration of phytase enzyme 250µL/50mL in the amount 50.09%. 2) The highest bioavailability of mineral Ca through in vitro is in amount of 56.880% with 9% citric acid for 12 hours and with the increment of phytase enzyme 250µL/50mL.Conclusion: The increase in bioavailability of mineral Ca in corn (Zea mays L) was influenced by the addition of citric acid concentration, submersion duration, and the concentration of phytase enzyme. Research on mineral bioavailability can be further developed by examining other foodstuffs containing phytate acid, and carried out by more sophisticated methods and analyzed, and the methods that have been done can be used to study the degradation of phytate to other bivalent minerals.Keywords: bioavailability of mineral Ca; phytate acid; citric acid; phytase

MO796IMPACT OF ACTIVE VITAMIN D AND CALCIUM PREPARATION ON VASCULAR CALCIFICATION MARKERS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS WITH HYPOCALCEMIA INDUCED BY CALCIMIMETICS

Abstract Background and Aims Recently, we demonstrated the efficacy of etelcalcetide for control of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in the DUET trial; a 12-week multicenter, open-label, randomized (1:1:1), parallel-group study treated with etelcalcetide + active vitamin D (Group E+D), etelcalcetide + oral calcium preparation (Group E+Ca), or control groups (Group C) in 124 subjects undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Moreover, we also showed that active vitamin D was useful in correcting hypocalcemia induced by calcimimetics, but the oral calcium preparation was superior for suppression of hyperphosphatemia. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated vascular calcification markers, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and calciprotein particles (CPPs), in patients using etelcalcetide (n = 77) extracted from the registrants of the DUET trial. Method Serum levels of FGF23 and CPPs were measured at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after start of the trial. Skewed data (FGF23 and CPPs) were transformed to natural logarithm to achieve normal distribution prior to statistical analysis. The changes in log CPPs and log FGF23 were estimated in a linear mixed model with each treatment group, time point, and interaction of the treatment group and time point as the fixed effects. We compared these changes between treatment the groups using a linear mixed model and also the Tukey-Kramer method to correct for multiplicity. Additionally, we exploratory examined the correlations among changes of FGF23, CPPs and other biomarkers related to bone mineral metabolisms, iPTH, Ca, P, and calcium-phosphate product, tested by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results The decreases at the 12-week time point after the trial start in log FGF23 were estimated -1.13 pg/mL in Group E+Ca and -0.10 pg/mL in Group E+D in a linear mixed model, respectively. Similarly, the decreases in CPPs were estimated -1.60 AU in Group E+Ca and -0.82 AU in Group E+D, respectively. Changes of both FGF23 (P = 0.017) and CPPs (P < 0.001) in Group E+Ca significantly decreased compared with those in in Group E+D by Tukey-Kramer multiple-comparison test at 12 weeks after the trial start, while both changes in CPPs and FGF23 could not reach the significant differences between two groups at 6 weeks after the trial start (Figure 1). Reductions in FGF23 positively correlated with reductions in calcium (ρ = 0.42, P < 0.01) and phosphate (ρ = 0.48, P < 0.01) at 6 weeks after the trial start, and in calcium (ρ = 0.30, P < 0.01) and phosphate (ρ =0.70, P < 0.01) at 12 weeks after 6 weeks of the trial start), but there was no correlation with reductions in iPTH at any time point. Reductions in CPPs positively correlated with reductions only in phosphate at 6 weeks after the trial start (ρ = 0.47, P < 0.01) and at 12 weeks after 6 weeks of the trial start (ρ = 0.54, P < 0.01). Conclusion In this analysis, vascular calcification markers were significantly decreased in Group E+Ca compared to those in Group E+D. Further studies should be needed, our study suggests that oral calcium preparation may have an advantage against vascular calcification rather than active vitamin D for the correction of hypocalcemia induced by etelcalcetide in hemodialysis patients with SHPT.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Calcium Deposit in Surgically Transacted Transverse Carpal Ligament

A diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a human often contains more than one test. Calcification of the carpal transverse ligaments (TCL) is one of the common reasons why patients seek CTS surgery. However, determination of calcium (Ca) concentration in TCL has not been studied, and results of environmental toxicity studies assessing the relationship between Ca, and elemental deposition in TCL are inconsistent. The purpose of this paper was to verify this hypothesis by conducting a chemical analysis of a portion of the released TCL to assess whether there is a relationship between CTS and Ca, measured as the total concentration of Ca, and to measure the precipitation of elements, the most closely related elements associated with Ca and toxic are cadmium and lead. Surgical release of TCL was performed on forty patients, and total concentrations of Ca, Cd and Pb in the extracted portion of TCL were digested and determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the possibility of using X-ray spectroscopy (XRF) for direct elemental analysis. Ca mineralization revealed in some TCLs. In assessing patients’ environmental pollution, it was observed that the Cd and Pb concentrations were significant with the higher Ca concentration, and XRF was useful for direct detection of the elements in samples of human body. In conclusion, these results indicate that TCL mineralization by Ca does not characterize CTS, which has important concerns in improving patients’ therapeutic strategies, and Cd and Pb concentrations varied due to different factors.

Characterization of barite reserves in Nigeria for use as weighting agent in drilling fluid

Successful drilling operations are dependent on the properties of the drilling fluid used to drill wells. Barite is used as a weighting agent during the preparation of drilling fluid. Over the years, oil and gas industry in Nigeria has been depending mainly on imported barite for drilling operations, whereas the country has huge deposits of barite. There is the need to assess the properties of the locally sourced barite for their suitability in drilling fluid formulation. This study presents the local processing methods of barite and examines the crude and on-the-site processed barite’s physio-chemical properties. These parameters were compared with American Petroleum Institute and Department of Petroleum Resources standards. XRD results show that on-the-site beneficiated barite has 87.79% BaSO4, 6.66% silica, 0.03% total soluble salt, 1.39% Fe2O3, and 1.603% heavy metals. Chemical analysis indicated that the pH, moisture content, metallic content such as Ca, Pb, Zn, Mg, Cu, and Cd minerals, and extractable carbonates were within the standard specified for usage as a drilling fluid weighting agent. The analysed crude barite samples were basic, within the pH of 8.3 and 8.6. Locally processed barite has lower Fe, Pb, Cd, and Cu content compared to industrially accepted barite. The specific gravity increased from 4.02 ± 0.07 to 4.15 ± 0.13, and the hardness reduced potentially from 5 Mohr to 3.5 Mohr on the hardness scale. The amount of impurities was sufficiently low, and the specific gravity of the samples improved to meet the needs of any drilling operation and compare favourably with industrially accepted barite.

Effects of differences in whey composition on the physicochemical properties of whey butter

The objective of this work was to determine the effects of whey composition on the physicochemical properties of whey butter and compare with milk butter based on these properties. Whey samples were obtained from the whey processing plants located in different regions of Turkey. Whey composition influenced the major and minor components of whey butters. Differences among the whey butters were observed on titratable acidy (TA, 0.43–0.55%), acid value (AV, 0.75–0.90 mg KOH/g), moisture (17.33–19.05%), fat (80.23–81.47%), nonfat solid (0.66–1.20%), NaCl (0.10–0.23%), peroxide value (PV, 1.08–1.50 meq O2/kg), total carotenoids (1.78–2.21 mg/kg), γ‐ and total tocopherols (1.06–1.41 and 27.02–27.33 mg/kg, respectively), Ca (73.12–94.72 mg/kg), P (56.03–72.20 mg/kg), K (73.36–140.10 mg/kg), Mg (12.83–18.12 mg/kg), Na (63.95–165.85 mg/kg), total minerals (283.32–485.53 mg/kg), colour (L*, 86.46–89.52 and b*, 12.21–15.52) and certain fatty acids. The milk butters were one‐ to threefold lower in TA, AV, moisture, NaCl and PV and one‐ to 3.4‐fold higher in fat, nonfat solids, protein, total carotenoids, α‐, γ‐ and total tocopherols, Ca, P, K, Mg and total minerals. Whey butters were distinctly brighter and less yellower. Butter source had no effect on iodine value (35.39 ± 0.15 g I2/100 g), saponification value (225.22 ± 0.17 mg KOH/g), β‐tocopherol (0.41 ± 0.02 mg/kg), certain fatty acids, melting characteristic and thermo‐oxidative stability. The cluster analysis enabled the division of whey and milk butters into two separate groups. These results highlighted that partial transfer of certain compounds from milk to whey during cheese manufacturing and biochemical and chemical changes such as lipolysis, hydrolysis and oxidation that occur in the period from the whey production to butter processing were largely responsible for the differences in the whey and milk butter properties.

Assessing the potential of sewage sludge-derived biochar as a novel phosphorus fertilizer: Influence of extractant solutions and pyrolysis temperatures

Sewage sludge-derived biochar (SSB) is a phosphorus (P) source with potential to replace soluble P fertilizers. However, SSB presents a diversity of P compounds, mainly in mineral forms with different degrees of chemical stability. This hinders the prediction of P bioavailability. In the present study we evaluated P solubility and bioavailability using different chemical extractants. Additionally, the relationships between extractable P and physicochemical properties were evaluated for SSB obtained over a wide range of temperatures (200 °C; 300 °C; 500 °C and 600 °C). Available phosphorus content was extracted using 2% citric acid (P-CA), neutral ammonium citrate + water (P-NAC) and Mehlich 1 solution (0.0125 mol L−1 H2SO4 + 0.050 mol L−1 HCl). Physicochemical properties and extractable P were strongly affected by pyrolysis temperature. Higher pyrolysis temperature resulted in increased pH, BET surface area, pore volume, ash, fixed carbon, Ca, Mg and Zn contents, as well as formation of stable Ca minerals (calcite and oxalate). The total P content increased with pyrolysis temperature (≥300 °C). Nevertheless, the solubility of biochar-P in the extractants presented different trends with temperature. The P-NAC content reached a maximum (79% of TP) at 300 °C and then declined at higher temperatures. Only at 600 °C P-CA and available P were affected by the temperature, where the P-CA increased and available P decreased. Therefore, it is recommended that the P solubility in different extractants should be considered when using SSB as an alternative to inorganic P fertilizers.

Effect of Fermented Kepok Banana Corm Inclusion in the Diet on the Nutrient Digestibility and Mineral Ca and P Retention of Growing Pigs

Sixteen crossbred growing pigs Duroc x Landrace, (10 weeks of age; initial body weight 27 ± 3.92 kg) were allotted into four treatments in a randomized block design to evaluate the effects of inclusion of fermented kepok banana corm (FKBC) in the diet on the nutrient digestibility and mineral Ca and P retention of growing pigs. There were four treatments diets offered: basal diets without FKBC (R0); basal diets + 7% FKBC (R1); basal diets + 14% FKBC (R2); basal diets + 21% FKBC (R3). Results of the study showed that inclusion of 21% FKBC in the diet of pigs significantly reduced (P <0.01) dry matter intake compared to the control diet. There were no significant difference between 14% and 21% FKBC on the intake and digestibility of dry matter of the pigs. However, inclusion of FKBC at the level of 7% showed the optimum digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and energy with the average value of 66.57%, 83.43% and 70.76%, respectively. In addition, mineral consumption and retention of Ca and P were 14.30 and 9.10 g/day, respectively with the value of mineral retention both Ca and P were 11.90 and 7.50 g/day, respectively. It can be concluded that inclusion of FKBC at the level of 7% increased dry matter digestibility and energy.

Elemental composition of wind-blown sediments from contrasting textured soils

• Element composition of aeolian sediments of two different textured soils was studied. • Ca and Mg were transported at low heights in both soils. • Organic C and N were transported at great heights in both soils. • S was transported at low and high heights, possibly in its organic and mineral forms. • The transport along height was less segregated in sandy loam- than in sandy soil. Wind eroded sediment is sorted by height by both size and density. Less information is available about the elemental composition and enrichment ratios of these sediments. Because of that, the concentration of elements in wind-blown sediments of a sandy- and a sandy loam soil of the semiarid Argentinean Pampas were analyzed. With this purpose, a wind tunnel study was performed for obtaining the saltating sediments transported at different heights, and a sorption-based laboratory procedure was used to separate the particulate matter. Results showed that Ca and Mg were transported at low- and C and N at high heights. These tendencies were attributed to the accumulation of Ca and Mg in coarse minerals, probably apatite and Ca-feldspars, which are heavily transported by the wind, and to the accumulation of C and N in low-dense organic substances, fresh debris and polysaccharides, easily transported by the wind. Total S did not show a preference to be transported at any height, possibly due to its accumulation in organic and mineral substances. The transport of C and N was more segregated in the sandy- than in the sandy loam soil, in agreement with the better aggregation of the latter, in which some of its organic substances (carboxylic acids, amides and aromatics), form coarse and heavily transportable aggregates. From the obtained results it can be deduced that C and N would be widespread larger than Ca and Mg. Assembling of data obtained to mass fluxes, becomes relevant for modeling the biogeochemical cycles.

Effects of different germinated seeds flour on mineral, phytic acid and total phenolic content of cookies

The effects of germination at different germination period (1, 3 and 5 days) on physical, chemical and nutritional properties of three different seeds (wheat, rye and lentil) were investigated. Germination caused significant increase in ash, protein, total phenolic content, minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, K, P) and phytic acid loss. As the germination period increased, L* values decreased, a*, b* and SI values increased. Germinated seed flours (GSF) were substituted for wheat flour at different ratios (0, 5, 10 and 15%) in cookie formulation to improve nutritional properties. The addition of GSF in cookie formulation gave lower phytic acid content than the control cookie sample. The highest calcium and magnesium content of the cookies were determined with germinated rye flour (GRF); the highest iron, potassium and zinc value were obtained with germinated green lentil flour (GGLF). The use of 5 % level had caused similar taste values to the control cookie samples.

Effects of green light emitting diode light during incubation and dietary organic macro and trace minerals during rearing on tibia characteristics of broiler chickens at slaughter age

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of green light emitting diode (LED) light during incubation and dietary organic macro and trace minerals during rearing on tibia morphological, biophysical, and mechanical characteristics of broiler chickens at slaughter age. The experiment was setup as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the following treatments: 1) light during incubation (green LED light or darkness), 2) macro mineral source during rearing (organic or inorganic Ca and P), and 3) trace mineral source during rearing (organic or inorganic Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se). A total of 2,400 eggs (Ross 308) were either incubated under green LED light (16L:8D) or in complete darkness. After hatch, a total of 864 male broiler chickens were reared until slaughter age (day 42) and provided with 1 of 4 diets, differing in macro and/or trace mineral source. During rearing, the experiment had a complete randomized block design with 9 replicate pens per treatment and 12 chickens per pen. At slaughter age (day 42), 2 chickens per replicate were randomly selected and tibia bones were obtained. Tibia weight, length, thickness, osseous volume, pore volume, total volume, mineral content, mineral density, ultimate strength, and stiffness were determined. Green LED light during incubation did not affect any of the tibia characteristics. Dietary organic macro minerals positively affected most of the tibia morphological, biophysical, and mechanical characteristics compared to the inorganic macro minerals, whereas trace mineral sources did not affect tibia characteristics. It can be concluded that dietary organic macro minerals Ca and P stimulated tibia characteristics, whereas green LED light during incubation and dietary trace minerals during rearing did not affect tibia characteristics, locomotion, or leg disorders.

Nutritional and rheological evaluation of blends based on ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) and wheat flour

This work aimed to evaluate the nutritional and rheological quality of ora-pro-nobis flour (OPNF) and its influence on the replacement of wheat flour (WF), through the analysis of physicochemical parameters, determination of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and rheological analyzes of wheat flour and mixtures with 10 to 30% OPNF. Flour blends with 10%, 20% and 30% of OPNF in substitution of WF in flour base were evaluated. The OPNF showed higher values of lipids (2.87%), proteins (18.29%), fibers (44.13%), ash (11.19%), minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe and Zn), beta-carotene (71.37 µg 100 g-1), lycopene (25.02 µg 100 g-1), total chlorophyll (24.40 µg 100 g-1), ABTS radical-scavenging capacity (15.02 μmol Trolox eq. g-1) and DPPH (IC 50 = 33.30 μmol mL-1 extract) in relation to WF. The flour blends with 10%, 20% and 30% of OPNF showed a higher nutritional value and antioxidant activity proportional to the increase on OPNF concentration. The increasing on the concentration of OPNF in flour blends reduced the values of the gluten strength (P), tenacity (W), extensibility (L), water absorption and falling number. Moreover, it increased the values of dough development time, dough stability and water absorption. The results of rheological analyzes indicate that flour blends of OPNF (10%, 20% and 30%) with WF have characteristics suitable for use in biscuits, baked cakes and breads. The data from this study demonstrate the nutritional value and technological potential of OPNF for the development of food products.

Sex preselection of sٍheep embryo by altering the minerals of maternal nutrition.

Several methods have been conducted for embryo sex preselection, which includes X- and Y- sperm separation, changing the pH of the female reproductive tract, time of mating before or after ovulation, and feeding formula, such as altering the presence of minerals in diet content before breeding may affect the embryo sex preselection ratio. In this study, three food formulas to feed female sheep were created with the cooperation of the Arabian Agricultural Services Company (Arasco). Ewes were fed with modified food formulas for one month before mating with males. The first group (A) (30 ewes), modified for male embryo gender preselection, were fed a diet with an increased percentage of the minerals Na+, K+, and P-. The second group (B) (30 ewes), modified for female sex preselection, were fed a diet with an increased percentage of the minerals Ca++ and Mg++. The third (control) group (C) (30 ewes) were fed the regular (Wafi) food formula. Our results showed no significant differences were in mean body weights between the three groups at the end of the feeding period. The results of different feeding formulas on mineral serum blood samples of ewes showed an increase in Na+, K+, and Cl- ions in the serum of group (A) compared to the other groups (B and C). The concentration of Na+ in the serum of group (A) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than group (C). The concentration of Cl- ions in serum samples of ewes in group (A) was significantly higher than group (C) and group (B) (P < 0.05). The role of maternal feeding on embryo sex preselection shows that the pregnancy rate of animals in group (A) was 73.33%. Group (A) birthed 17 males and 5 females (77.27% and 22.72%, respectively). The pregnancy rate in group (B) was 70%. Group (B) birthed 6 males (27.27%) and 16 females (72.72%). Finally, the control group (C) had a pregnancy rate of 76.66%. They birthed 13 males (54.41%) and 11 females (44.83%). The results of our study confirm that altering the percentage of minerals in the maternal diet plays a role in sex preselection in sheep, which agree with other mammalian studies in rats and mice. Thus, the result of this study can help farmers to manage their breeding. We recommend that more studies on the relationship between minerals in the diet should be conducted for other spices and human sex preselection.

Diversity of nutritional content in seeds of Brazilian common bean germplasm.

Mineral deficiency is worldwide one of the major problems associated with human health, and biofortification through breeding is considered an important strategy to improve the nutritional content of staple food in countries that face this problem. The assessment of genetic variability for seed nutrient contents is a first step in the development of a biofortified crop. From the germplasm bank IDR-IAPAR-EMATER, a set of 1,512 common bean accessions, consisting of local and commercial varieties and improved lines, was analyzed. High variability among the accessions was observed for all evaluated nutrient contents (P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and S and protein). In the mean, the contents of the carioca and black market groups (Mesoamerican gene pool), were around 7% higher for the minerals Ca, Cu, Mn and Fe and between 2-4% higher for P, K, Mg and Zn than in the other groups with Mesoamerican and Andean common bean. Few differences were observed among the Mesoamerican accessions that belong to the carioca and black commercial groups. Wide variability was observed among the evaluated genotypes, and the concentrations of the best accessions exceeded the overall mean by 14-28%. Due to the high variability in the evaluated accessions, these results may contribute to the selection of promising parents for the establishment of mating blocks. The nutritional contents of many of the improved lines evaluated in this study were higher than those of the commercial cultivars, indicating the possibility of developing new biofortified cultivars.

Geochemical insights into spatial and temporal evolution of sediment at catchment scale (Egoutier stream, France)

The transfer and storage of chemical elements in particulate matter are controlled by physical, chemical and biological processes. Their dynamics are well understood, especially in environments that show strong tectonic and/or geomorphic pressures, and are frequently reconstructed over centuries or decades to evaluate climate change effects for example. However, observations carried out at high spatial and temporal resolutions are less common, particularly in lowland areas. The present study aimed to better understand the links between earth surface processes, such as soil weathering and erosion, by combining pedology, geochemistry and hydrology at a small catchment scale. It focuses on the transfer of selected chemical elements (Ca, K, Ti, Fe, Mn, Rb and Sr) associated with particulate erosion and transport. The first (topsoil) and last (subsoil) soil horizons from different soil profiles and stream bed-load sediments of the Egoutier catchment (8 km2, Loiret, France) were studied. The objective was to investigate the relationship between the weathering and erosion processes. The soils are developed on ancient alluvium as evidenced by their physical and chemical properties, which clearly displayed a weathering profile from bedrock to topsoil layers. Ca, Fe and Rb showed migration dynamics from the topsoils to the subsoils, whereas Mn appeared immobilized within topsoils. Enrichments of all investigated elements increased in bed-load sediments. Topsoil erosion is the main source of sediment. However, Fe and Rb enrichments also highlight the remobilization of subsoils during periods of enhanced precipitation. Furthermore, Fe and Rb enrichments show a selective erosion of clay minerals. K and Sr contents evidence mineral break-up processes favoring mechanical erosion of all mineral phases. Moreover, their enrichments can be interpreted as the result of higher erosion rates and deposition during high rainfall events. The same conclusion can be drawn for Mn and Ca although their spatial variabilities depend on contributions from runoff in urban areas, as rainwaters from anthropized areas supply Ca mineral phases and diluted Mn depleted bearing phases from topsoil layers.

LA-ICP-MS Analysis of Minerals from the Shizhuyuan W-Polymetallic Deposit, South China: Implications for Mineralization of Pb, W, Mo and Bi

The South China Block (SCB) is a globally important metallogenic district containing numerous W-Sn deposits. Extensive studies of W-polymetallic deposits in this region have greatly improved our understanding of the petrogenesis, geochronology and metallogenesis of these systems. However, studies on the mobilization of ore-forming elements between mineralization- and alteration-related minerals using in situ analyses are rare. Using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), we analyzed W, Pb, Mo and Bi concentrations in silicate minerals and scheelite from granites and skarns associated with the Shizhuyuan W-polymetallic deposit in the Nanling Range in the SCB. Data show that muscovitized biotite in granites contains high W contents. Pb mainly occurs in K-feldspar and plagioclase in granites and epidote and scheelite in skarns. Bi mainly occurs in epidote in skarns. Scheelite in skarns contains high W and Mo contents. Pb isomorphously substitutes K or Ca in silicate minerals and scheelite. W isomorphously substitutes Ti in biotite. Mo isomorphously substitutes W in scheelite and occurs as W-bearing submicroscopic inclusions in minerals with low contents. Bi isomorphously substitutes Pb when the Pb content is relatively high and occurs as Bi-bearing micro or submicroscopic inclusions in minerals when the Pb content is low. Biotite and feldspar are altered in a magmatic-hydrothermal process, W enriched in biotite, Pb enriched in feldspar and the W-, Pb-, Mo- and Bi-bearing submicroscopic inclusions are excluded from minerals and released to the magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. Large amounts of W are precipitated in scheelite when the fluids come in contact with carbonate rocks to form skarn, while a few contents of Pb, Mo and Bi are distributed in skarn minerals. Thus, large amounts of Pb, Mo, Bi and residual W remain in the fluids, which results in the formation of a W-Sn-Mo-Bi massive skarn ore.