Non-essential Minerals Research Articles

An In Silico Bioremediation Study to Identify Essential Residues of Metallothionein Enhancing the Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Microorganisms are ubiquitously present in the environment and exert significant influence on numerous natural phenomena. The soil and groundwater systems, precipitation, and effluent outfalls from factories, refineries, and waste treatment facilities are all sources of heavy metal contamination. For example, Madinah, Saudi Arabia, has alarmingly high levels of lead and cadmium. The non-essential minerals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have been linked to damage to vital organs. Bioremediation is an essential component in the process of cleaning up polluted soil and water where biological agents such as bacteria are used to remove the contaminants. It is demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) isolated from activated sludge was able to remove Cd and Pb from water. The protein sequence of metallothionein from P. aeruginosa was retrieved to explore it for physicoparameters, orthologs, domain, family, motifs, and conserved residues. The homology structure was generated, and models were validated. Docking of the best model with the heavy metals was carried out to inspect the intramolecular interactions. The target protein was found to belong to the "metallothionein_pro" family, containing six motifs, and showed a close orthologous relationship with other heavy metal-resistant bacteria. The best model was generated by Phyre2. In this study, three key residues of metallothionein were identified that participate in heavy metal (Pb and Cd) binding, viz., Ala33, Ser34, and Glu59. In addition, the study provides an essential basis to explore protein engineering for the optimum use of metallothionein protein to reduce/remove heavy metals from the environment.

Earth Worming-An Evaluation of Earthworm (Eisenia andrei) as an Alternative Food Source.

Aside from their bioremediation roles, little is known about the food and feed value of earthworms. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional composition (proximate analysis and profiles of fatty acids and minerals) and techno-functional properties (foaming and emulsion stability and capacity) of earthworm (Eisenia andrei, sourced in New Zealand) powder (EAP) were investigated. Lipid nutritional indices, ω6/ω3, atherogenicity index, thrombogenicity index, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio, and health-promoting index of EAP lipids are also reported. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents of EAP were found to be 53.75%, 19.30%, and 23.26% DW, respectively. The mineral profile obtained for the EAP consisted of 11 essential minerals, 23 non-essential minerals, and 4 heavy metals. The most abundant essential minerals were potassium (8220 mg·kg-1 DW), phosphorus (8220 mg·kg-1 DW), magnesium (744.7 mg·kg-1 DW), calcium (2396.7 mg·kg-1 DW), iron (244.7 mg·kg-1 DW), and manganese (25.6 mg·kg-1 DW). Toxic metals such as vanadium (0.2 mg·kg-1 DW), lead (0.2 mg·kg-1 DW), cadmium (2.2 mg·kg-1 DW), and arsenic (2.3 mg·kg-1 DW) were found in EAP, which pose safety considerations. Lauric acid (20.3% FA), myristoleic acid (11.20% FA), and linoleic acid (7.96% FA) were the most abundant saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. The lipid nutritional indices, such as IT and ω-6/ω-3, of E. andrei were within limits considered to enhance human health. A protein extract derived from EAP (EAPPE), obtained by alkaline solubilisation and pH precipitation, exhibited an isoelectric pH of ~5. The total essential amino acid content and essential amino acid index of EAPPE were 373.3 mg·g-1 and 1.36 mg·g-1 protein, respectively. Techno-functional analysis of EAPPE indicated a high foaming capacity (83.3%) and emulsion stability (88.8% after 60 min). Heat coagulation of EAPPE was greater at pH 7.0 (12.6%) compared with pH 5.0 (4.83%), corroborating the pH-solubility profile and relatively high surface hydrophobicity (1061.0). These findings demonstrate the potential of EAP and EAPPE as nutrient-rich and functional ingredients suitable as alternative food and feed material. The presence of heavy metals, however, should be carefully considered.

Fatty Acid Profile, Mineral Composition, and Health Implications of Consuming Dried Sago Grubs (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus)

A comprehensive evaluation of the fatty acid and mineral composition of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (sago grub powder, SGP), pre-treated to meet New Zealand import biosecurity requirements, was investigated. Palmitic acid (42.5% FA), oleic acid (39.0% FA), and linoleic acid (1.02% FA) were the most abundant saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid, respectively. Lipid nutritional indices of SGP fats were ω6/ω3 (2.17), hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio (0.88), atherogenicity index (1.01), thrombogenicity index (1.65), and health-promoting index (0.99). Although there are no established recommended values for these dietary indicators, including them in a balanced diet may be advised to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. The mineral analysis profile of the SGP found 11 essential and 29 non-essential minerals, and 4 heavy metals. SGP was rich in important minerals such as potassium (1657 mg/kg DW), magnesium (805.3 mg/kg DW), iron (23 mg/kg DW), manganese (8.8 mg/kg DW), calcium (477 mg/kg DW), and phosphorus (2950 mg/kg DW). However, the Ca:P ratio (0.16:1) of SGP samples was lower than the recommended Ca:P ratio (1.3:1) needed for optimum bone health. Heavy metals such as arsenic (0.17 mg/kg DW), cadmium (0.04 mg/kg DW), lead (0.56 mg/kg DW), and vanadium (0.01 mg/kg DW) were detectable in SGP but were below acceptable toxicity limits. These findings indicate that SGP pre-treated for export is safe for consumption and contains appreciable nutrients, especially minerals. However, the nutritional and health implications of the elevated saturated fatty acid levels, low polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, and low Ca:P ratio of SGP should be considered when choosing sago grubs as a food source.

VrNramp5 is responsible for cadmium and manganese uptake in Vigna radiata roots

As a non-essential mineral, Cadmium inhibits the growth and development of plants. A cultivar (Sulu, SL as wild type) of mungbean is more sensitive to Cd toxicity than its mutant line (20#). However, there is little information about the underlying mechanism. In this study, mutant line (20#) of mungbean exhibited lower Cd accumulation than wild type SL based on the time-course and dose-dependent Cd content in mungbean roots. Meanwhile, compared to 20# roots, the root tips of SL possess a higher capacity for transient Cd influx during exposure to Cd alone or co-treatment with Cd and manganese (Mn). Cd exposure reduced Mn contents of roots in both SL and 20#. Likewise, the addition of Mn in solution or in Cd-polluted soils inhibited Cd uptake in roots. Such reciprocal inhibition shows that Cd competes with Mn for uptake in roots of mungbean. Comparative transcriptomic of roots in SL and 20# were analyzed by Illumina sequencing to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of competitive uptake between Cd and Mn for mungbean. The transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that 28 metal transporters genes showed the log 2 fold changes under Cd stress, including ABC, ZIP, CAX, CCX, MTP, and Nramp family members. Expression abundance of VrABCC15–1 and VrZIP8 genes were significant up-regulated, and VrNramp5 was down-regulated in roots of mungbean under Cd stress. Thus, the three genes were complementarily expressed in Cd sensitive yeast (Δycf1). Expression of VrNramp5 resulted in hypersensitivity to excess Cd owing to the increment of Cd uptake in yeasts during exposure to Cd, but not by VrABCC15–1 or VrZIP8. Expressing-VrNramp5-SL or -VrNramp5–20# yeasts also accumulate higher Mn than that of the expressing-empty vector yeasts. The findings of this study demonstrated that the differences of Cd accumulation between SL and 20# was due to Cd uptake differences, and VrNramp5 is involved in Mn and Cd uptake in mungbean roots.

Study of the Content of Essential Mineral Elements in the Feed of Dairy Cows Against the Background of increased Concentrations of Toxic Metals Cd and Pb in Plants

Uncontrolled entry of pollutants – heavy metals into the environment creates obstacles to the production of environmentally safe, biologically complete cow's milk. The accumulation of pollutants in the soil reduces the supply of essential mineral elements to plants, which are necessary to ensure the full feeding of animals. In such environmental situations, it is important to analyse feed rations for the content of essential and non-essential mineral elements. Samples of feed included in the main diet were taken on four experimental farms specialising in the production of cow's milk, the agroecosystems of which were located around the industrial centre and near environmentally unfavourable objects – roads, enterprises for the extraction (processing) of gas condensate, etc. The samples were analysed for the content of mineral elements by atomic adsorption spectrophotometry. Statistical data processing – STATISTICA software suite version 10.0. The feed was found to exceed the permissible level for cadmium by an average of 2.1-3.2 times, lead – 2.4-5.7 times, copper – 1.4-2.3 times, zinc – 1.2-2.4 times. In cereal and legume hay, the concentration of cadmium and lead exceeded permissible levels by 3.2 and 5.7 times, respectively. Against this background, there is a deficiency of calcium in various types of diets of cows from 1.4% to 47.5%, phosphorus – from 1.5% to 62.3%, magnesium – from 2.7% to 64.4%, potassium – from 0.8% to 37.9%, sulphur – from 2.3% to 48.8%, among trace elements, iron – from 2.3% to 48.8%, cobalt – from 5.0% to 80.0%, iodine – from 4.0% to 60.7%. The reason for the deficiency of vital mineral elements in plants (feed) is different, including changes in soil pH, but mainly antagonism between mobile forms of toxic elements and essential elements. For the production of high-quality milk, it is necessary to normalise toxic metals in the diets of cows with different types of feeding and eliminate the lack of minerals with the help of specially developed feed additives (mineral and vitamin premixes), which will prevent elementosis in cows, which is a pressing issue in many countries of the world. Future studies will be aimed at monitoring the concentration of mineral elements in animal feed kept in the forest-steppe and steppe zone and Donetska oblast of Ukraine

Growing media effect on essential and non-essential mineral composition of lettuce

The composition of the environment in which vegetables are grown or their interaction with the applied fertilizer or nutrient solution determines the essential and non-essential element contents of the vegetables. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate variations of essential and non-essential mineral concentrations of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Sementel) grown under soil and soilless media. The plants were grown in: low calcareous soil (LCS) and high calcareous soil (HCS), or rockwool or cocopeat. The best growth was from plants grown in cocopeat followed by rockwool, LCS, and HCS. Nitrogen, P, and Zn concentrations of rockwool and cocopeat grown plants were higher than in plants grown in the soils. The Ca, Ti, Sr, Al, Zr, and Ba concentrations of soilless grown plants was lower than that of soil-grown plants. Potassium and S concentrations of lettuce plants were higher in HCS, rockwool or cocopeat than for plants grown in LCS. The Mg and Mn concentrations were highest in plants in cocopeat and LCS. Copper concentration of lettuce plants was highest in HCS. Growing media had no effect on Co, As, Pb, W, Hg, Cr, Nb, Cd, In, I, Cs, Ta, Th, Ga, and Ce concentrations. Concentrations of Br, Rb, V, Se was highest in HCS, cocopeat, HCS, LCS and rockwool, respectively. In conclusion, essential element contents and the growth of lettuce plants was better in cocopeat and rockwool medium than the soils. Zirconium, Ba, Ni, Rb, Al and Ti that are not necessary for plants and humans are lower in the lettuce plants growing in rockwool and cocopeat. According to these results, vegetables grown without soil should be considered as an important advantage for human health.

Bioremediation Ability of the Local Isolate Enterobacter cloacae from Disposal Site

Illegal dumping is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately to preserve human health and the environment as if the pollution that arises from it reaches the groundwater, complications of the remediation processes will increase. To decontaminate the organic and inorganic components, bioremediation seems to be the most environmentally friendly and economically viable technique without further treatment as reported by many studies. In this investigation, samples were taken from the soil of the main dumping area in Koysinjaq in Kurdistan Region of Iraq to determine the most potent bacteria to remediate the existed pollutants. The existence of non-essential minerals and organic compounds in the soil sample was detected using X-ray fluorescence device, and ethane and 1,2-dichloroethane solvents separating technique, respectively. Then, from the same samples, three different naturally occurring bacteria were isolated and cultured under optimized conditions then stimulated for a good result. Finally, spectrophotometer was set at wavelength of 600 nm and used to detect the heaviest growth of bacteria after incubating the cultured bacteria on a mineral salt broth medium with the extracted pollutants at pH 7.0 overnight at 32°C. Based on the highest absorbance, the most effective type of bacteria (Enterobacter cloacae) was chosen among others to remediate the organic components in which approximately 90% of them are plastics, medical waste, municipal waste, electrical items, and hydrocarbons, and some heavy metals, for instance aluminum and lead, which were found in the soil.

Effects of Microplastics on the Mineral Elements Absorption and Accumulation in Hydroponic Rice Seedlings (Oryza sativa L.).

Environmental pollution caused by microplastics (MPs) have become a non-negligible environmental problem and come into our notice recently. Herein, the nutrient elemental signature (ionome) of rice seedlings exposed to four levels of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs), and was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) or mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) to determine the relationship between ionome and MPs. After 21days of laboratory exposure, no shoots growth difference has shown among any doses of PE-MPs treatments, however, the roots growth was significantly inhibited after the medium and high doses of PE-MPs treatments. Further analysis showed that PE-MPs treatments could decrease the accumulation of one essential mineral element Mn and some non-essential mineral elements accumulation including As and Cd, while increase the accumulation of one essential mineral elements including Na in rice seedlings. This study is the first to document the variation of the rice seedlings ionome after exposing microplastics.

Mushroom Quality Related with Various Substrates' Bioaccumulation and Translocation of Heavy Metals.

Mushrooms are popular due to the nutrition contents in the fruit bodies and are relatively easy to cultivate. Mushrooms from the white-rot fungi group can be cultivated on agricultural biomass such as sawdust, paddy straw, wheat straw, oil palm frond, oil palm empty fruit bunches, oil palm bark, corn silage, corn cobs, banana leaves, coconut husk, pineapple peel, pineapple leaves, cotton stalk, sugarcane bagasse and various other agricultural biomass. Mushrooms are exceptional decomposers that play important roles in the food web to balance the ecosystems. They can uptake various minerals, including essential and non-essential minerals provided by the substrates. However, the agricultural biomass used for mushroom cultivation is sometimes polluted by heavy metals because of the increased anthropogenic activities occurring in line with urbanisation. Due to their role in mycoremediation, the mushrooms also absorb pollutants from the substrates into their fruit bodies. This article reviews the sources of agricultural biomass for mushroom cultivation that could track how the environmental heavy metals are accumulated and translocated into mushroom fruit bodies. This review also discusses the possible health risks from prolonged uptakes of heavy metal-contaminated mushrooms to highlight the importance of early contaminants’ detection for food security.

Effect of different processing conditions on essential minerals and heavy metal composition of sorghum grain

A study was conducted in order to access the effect of different processing conditions on the mineral status of the grain sorghum. Whole sorghum grain was (a) cooked in excess water, (b) fermented under submerged condition, (c) steamed after fermentation, and (d) fermented, steamed, and flaked. The mineral content of the samples was determined through a microwave plasma atomic absorption spectroscope. During cooking, essential minerals like K, Fe, and Mn decreased, while Mg, Ca, and Na contents increased; while most non-essential minerals decreased, except Ti. During fermentation Ca, Mg, and Na content increased, while heavy metals like As, Pb, Ti, and Ba decreased significantly (p < .05). Essential minerals like Fe and non-essential minerals like Cr, Ni, and Al were found to be contaminated from the machine parts during processing steps like steaming and flaking. At the same time, essential minerals like K, Ca, and Mn were lost during the flaking process. Practical applications This work provides information on how simple processing conditions like fermentation can improve the status of the essential mineral in sorghum, at the same time reducing the heavy metal presence in the sample. This study also provides an insight into where the possible metal contamination can occur during the production of fermented products and steam flaking of cereal grains like sorghum. This information will help control the metal contamination, reduction of heavy metal contamination as well as a guide for formulating the HACCP.

Mechanism study of the beneficial effect of sodium selenite on metabolic disorders in imidacloprid-treated garlic plants.

As an effective neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid (IMI) has been widely used in crop production, but its residue affects normal plant growth. Selenium (Se) is a non-essential mineral nutrient in higher plants, that acts as the active centre of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), which removes harmful peroxides. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which selenium improves the growth status of IMI-treated garlic plants through analyses of apparent morphology and antioxidant enzyme activity as well as the dynamic changes in nutrients and metabolites in the plants. The results showed that 80μg/kg Na2SeO3 had a strong effect on alleviating the damage in garlic plants exposed to IMI (1.2mg/kg) by increasing the absorption of mineral elements to enhance the synthesis of chlorophyll and antioxidant enzymes. A nontarget metabolomics analysis based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) indicated that the addition of Na2SeO3 to IMI-treated garlic could reconstruct the plant metabolic distribution by enhancing the nitrogen and indole metabolism, maintaining lower concentrations of secondary metabolites and maintaining the balance of the plant energy metabolism. Our study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which garlic plants responds to IMI exposure and suggests the use of selenium with IMI-contaminated plants as a solution for the advancement of sustainable agricultural pesticide use.

Chemical composition of differently processed Cattle Hoof meal Waste as Feedstuff Ingredient

Waste generation at slaughter from ruminant has led to environmental concerns. Processing slaughter house waste will reduce the problem of disposal and possible utilisation in livestock feed. Subjecting Cattle hoof meal to different processing methods can help in enhancing its nutritive value. Cattle hoof were obtained from the slaughter house; raw hoof was subjected to processing methods by boiling; chemical treatment with 10 % soda ash + boiling; fermentation treatment in water + boiling; 10 % wood ash treatment in water + boiling; autoclave treatment and samples analysed for proximate composition, amino acid profile and mineral content analysis according to standard methods. The hoof proximal analysis ranged 9.30 ± 0.06 % – 12.39 ± 0.01 % moisture content; 0.34 ± 0.01 % – 2.50 ± 0.12 % ash; 0.31 ± 0.01 % – 1.47 ± 0.02 % crude fat; 0.19 ± 0.02 % – 12.71 ± 0.15 % crude fibre and 85.27 ± 0.20 % – 90.74 ± 0.26 % crude protein in all samples. The amino acids profile of the hoof showed significant difference among treated samples. Tryptophan an essential amino acid was below detectable limit in all processed samples and raw hoof. The essential and non-essential minerals content showed significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) among treatments with highest (Mg, Fe, K) in wood ash; (Cu) in raw hoof; (Ca, Na, P, Mn, Zn) in autoclaved samples. This study, suggest that Cattle hoof has the potential of being exploited as a source of animal protein for feed formulation in animal nutrition. This research concludes that the different processing methods affect the nutritive profiles of treated samples hence supplementation of limiting amino acids envisaged.

The Effect of Sheep and Cow Milk Supplementation of a Low Calcium Diet on the Distribution of Macro and Trace Minerals in the Organs of Weanling Rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of either sheep or cow milk supplementation to a low calcium and phosphorus diet on growth and organ mineral distribution in weanling rats. Rats were fed diets consisting of either a control chow, a 50% reduced calcium and phosphorous chow (low Ca/P), low Ca/P and sheep milk, or low Ca/P and cow milk diet for 28 days. Food intake of the rats, the growth rate of the rats, and the concentrations of minerals in the soft organs and serum were determined. Rats fed the low Ca/P diet alone had lower weight gain than rats consuming either of the milk-supplemented diets (p < 0.05). Both sheep milk and cow milk supplementation overcame the effects of consuming a diet restricted in calcium and phosphorus but the sheep milk was effective at a significantly lower level of milk intake (p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in essential and trace mineral concentrations due to milk type were observed in the kidney, spleen, and liver. For non-essential minerals, significant differences (p < 0.05), related to diet, were observed in all organs for arsenic, cesium, rubidium, and strontium concentrations.

Multi-Chemical Profiling of Strawberry as a Traceability Tool to Investigate the Effect of Cultivar and Cultivation Conditions.

The chemical composition of foods is tightly regulated by multiple genotypic and agronomic factors, which can thus serve as potential descriptors for traceability and authentication purposes. In the present work, we performed a multi-chemical characterization of strawberry fruits from five varieties (Aromas, Camarosa, Diamante, Medina, and Ventana) grown in two cultivation systems (open/closed soilless systems) during two consecutive campaigns with different climatic conditions (rainfall and temperature). For this purpose, we analyzed multiple components closely related to the sensory and health characteristics of strawberry, including sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds, and essential and non-essential mineral elements, and various complementary statistical approaches were applied for selecting chemical descriptors of cultivar and agronomic conditions. Anthocyanins, phenolic acids, sucrose, and malic acid were found to be the most discriminant variables among cultivars, while climatic conditions and the cultivation system were behind changes in polyphenol contents. These results thus demonstrate the utility of combining multi-chemical profiling approaches with advanced chemometric tools in food traceability research.

Applying the monitoring breakdown structure model to trace metal content in edible biomonitors: An eight-year survey in the Beagle Channel (southern Patagonia).

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trace metal content in edible biomonitors (i.e., mollusks) in the Beagle Channel (southern Patagonia) and to assess the human health risks associated with their consumption. Rationale: The monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) conceptual model was applied to four sampling campaigns (2005 → 2012) that collected 729 samples of Mytilus chilensis and Nacella magellanica. The composition of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the mollusks was determined using graphite furnace (GFAAS) or flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). We compared the mean obtained values with the maximum levels (MLs) of each element established by international organizations. Then, based on semi-structured interviews, we calculated the estimated daily intake (EDI) of local residents and compared it with safety reference doses, i.e., the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI), provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI), and tolerable daily intake (TDI), as well as the benchmark dose level lower confidence limit for Pb (BMDL01, a reference point (RP)/point of departure (POD). Moreover, to obtain information about the potential health risks of ingesting heavy metals (HMs) through mollusk consumption, we evaluated the target hazard quotient (THQ) and the hazard index (HI). Findings: For Cd and Pb, 65% and 40% of bivalves exceeded the MLs established by the Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur), respectively. Except for Cd in N. magellanica (i.e., 1.20 μg/kg/bw/day), EDI values were clearly lower than the safety reference doses. For Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, mussels were safe for consumption and did not raise concerns for public health. Likewise, THQ values were well below one for most of the studied metals, indicating that the exposed human population is assumed to be safe. Occasional high consumers of mollusks from the most contaminated sites may be at some health risk. Originality: The food production system and the environment are complex systems; this is crucial to understand when we consider ecosystems as a food source (i.e., marine ecosystems). Here we consider edible biomonitors, that are organisms that can have a dual function. They are food, and at the same time, if properly calibrated, they can act as indicators of environmental quality. This study is the first to investigate relevant essential and non-essential trace metal content in two edible mollusks from the Beagle Channel in a long-term survey (2005 → 2012). The information variety was high; approximately thirteen thousand determinations were conducted to support the risk assessment for mollusk consumption. Other aspects connected with the health risks and the uncertainty factors related to the presence of essential and non-essential minerals in edible mollusks as well as the use of the MBS are also discussed.

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This study was conducted to determine the degree of heavy metal contaminations in the soils around the perimeter of an industrial park located in the city of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines that houses light-tomedium scale manufacturing industries, through accumulation of heavy metals in two plant systems viz. Bougainvillea spectabilis (bougainvillea) and Leucaena lecocephala (ipil-ipil). Results of study revealed that the soil samples collected from the study site contained higher concentrations of Cu and Zn compared to a residential site as non-polluted source, some amount of nonessential mineral like Cd and Pb was also found from the sample collected from the study area. Findings of the study suggested that Cu is an immobile element, was highly accumulated in the roots of B. spectabilis, while highest concentration of Zn was accumulated in the leaves. Moreover, the leaves of L. leucocephala collected from the study site accumulated significantly higher concentrations of both Cu and Zn as compared to the leaves of the same plant species collected in a residential site. The non-essential metals, Cd and Pb, exhibit no significant difference in their accumulation and distribution to different plant parts and between the industrial and residential sites.

Regulation of the mineral concentrations in pea seeds from uranium mine and reference soils diverging extremely in their heavy metal load

Growing demands in industrial and food crops do not allow for excluding extremely metalliferous to minerally deficient soils from productive use. Seed crops show a strict indigenous heavy metal (HM) control and should thus be able to generate minerally optimized seeds even on soils of highest and lowest (trace) metal resources. Field cultures of pea (Pisum sativum L.) were therefore, established on five soils of seriously diverging HM concentrations. Soils, seeds, and sections of mature plants were analyzed for 20 elements and several organics. In the light of extremes in the mineral supply it was the goal to reveal plant compensatory responses on the way to a dietarily and physiologically balanced seed composition in essential elements by identifying non-essential and chemically similar metals/metalloids. Normal to elevated resources (mgkg−1 DW) of As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, U, and Zn in four clay-loam soils, and negligible ones in a sandy soil represented concentration spans of 5–109x for essential and non-essential minerals and of 475x in Cd. Seed:soil transfer factors diminishing proportionally on higher-concentrated soils by factors 4.5–109x reduced the respective spans of variation in seeds to 1.3–2.4x and to 15.9x in Cd. Non-essential minerals (As, Cd, Pb) were unambiguously distinguished from chemically similar essential ones and were actively incorporated into the seed metallome. The wide soil-HM variations did not interfere with protein content, its amino-acid composition, and sucrose/phenolics equivalents in seeds (range 1–1.4x) but incited disproportionately elevated/reduced mineral concentrations in tissues from root to pod. The narrow and inherited seed target metallome was then formed within the pod wall/seed interface with incisions in the metal (41–94%) and drastic increases in the N (580%) and P transfer (820%). The mean As, Co, Mn, Ni, and Zn stock of seeds from the four clay-loam soils was surpassed by 49% in seeds from the organic- and mineral-poor sandy soil whose highly water-soluble mineral traces provoked extreme soil:seed transfers. It is concluded that pea seeds from soils of widest mineral spans concur with common food/feed hygiene standards and join cereals in the high stability of their mineral and organic composition and a stable dietary value. Seed crops recommend thus themselves for non-remediable metalliferous and extremely mineral-poor soils. Their HM uptake profile under standard conditions should be certified. Expanded permissible soil HM limits for cropland are discussed.

Rice RCN1/OsABCG5 mutation alters accumulation of essential and nonessential minerals and causes a high Na/K ratio, resulting in a salt-sensitive phenotype

Mineral balance and salt stress are major factors affecting plant growth and yield. Here, we characterized the effects of rice (Oryza sativa L.) reduced culm number1 (rcn1), encoding a G subfamily ABC transporter (OsABCG5) involved in accumulation of essential and nonessential minerals, the Na/K ratio, and salt tolerance. Reduced potassium and elevated sodium in field-grown plants were evident in rcn1 compared to original line ‘Shiokari’ and four independent rcn mutants, rcn2, rcn4, rcn5 and rcn6. A high Na/K ratio was evident in the shoots and roots of rcn1 under K starvation and salt stress in hydroponically cultured plants. Downregulation of SKC1/OsHKT1;5 in rcn1 shoots under salt stress demonstrated that normal function of RCN1/OsABCG5 is essential for upregulation of SKC1/OsHKT1;5 under salt stress. The accumulation of various minerals in shoots and roots was also altered in the rcn1 mutant compared to ‘Shiokari’ under control conditions, potassium starvation, and salt and d-sorbitol treatments. The rcn1 mutation resulted in a salt-sensitive phenotype. We concluded that RCN1/OsABCG5 is a salt tolerance factor that acts via Na/K homeostasis, at least partly by regulation of SKC1/OsHKT1;5 in shoots.

The relationship of plasma aluminum to oxidant–antioxidant and inflammation status in asthma patients

Aluminum (Al) is a non-essential mineral which human beings are exposed to on day-to-day life. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentrations of plasma Al and the relationship of those levels with risk factors for asthma. In total, 27 allergic asthmatics and 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Plasma Al and selected blood parameters were measured, and a pulmonary function test was performed. Higher Al concentrations were found in the asthmatics than the healthy controls. Increased immunoglobulin E, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation products, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin [IL]-4) were observed, but IL-10 and overall antioxidant and enzyme activities were lower. Associations between oxidative-antioxidant status and inflammatory markers with plasma Al levels in asthmatics were noted. Al status was also linked to cytokine concentrations and pulmonary function. In conclusion, abnormal Al distribution may further precipitate oxidative stress and inflammation, alter Th1/Th2 lymphocyte balance, and therefore contribute to the development of asthma.

DETERMINATION OF MINERAL CONTAIN AND BACTERIA CONTAMINANT ON ORGANIC AND NONORGANIC FRESH VEGETABLES

The determination of mineral content and bacteria contaminant on fresh vegetable of long bean (Vegan ungulate Wall.), white cabbage (Basic tolerance L.), and lettuce (Lectuca sativa L.) that cultivated by organic and nonorganic system have been done. The mineral content has been analyzed using neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy method, while bacteria contaminant by total plate count number using Nutrient Agar, Mac Conkey Agar, Baird Parker medium, and Salmonella using selective medium. The results showed that there are some essential mineral such as Fe, Zn, Ca, Co, and nonessential mineral Cd. There is tendency that fresh vegetable that cultivated by organic system contained Fe, Zn, Ca, Co and Cd mineral less than nonorganic. The Zn mineral content in nonorganic of fresh vegetable were higher than the limit of threshold number from Health Department, Republic of Indonesia (2004), while Cd mineral in organic or nonorganic of fresh vegetable were greater then threshold number from Codex Alimentarius Commision. The measurement of bacteria contaminant on organic and nonorganic of fresh vegetables contained aerob, coli, and Staphylococcus bacteria in organic of fresh vegetables were less compared to nonorganic of fresh vegetables. Keywords: mineral, bacteria aerob, coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, organic, and nonorganic vegetable, neutron activation