Zinc Nutrition Research Articles

Zinc fractions and nutrition of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by Olsen-P levels in soil

Zinc (Zn) deficiency with large phosphorus (P) application for plant nutrition is commonly an investigated antagonistic interaction. However, required P fertilization for optimum grain yield with desirable grain Zn content is a major constraint owing to poor understanding of relationships between P application rates, residual P accumulated in the soil after surplus fertilizer P applications, and soil Zn transformations together with plant Zn uptake. Results showed that the effect of added P fertilizer was more pronounced with decreasing availability of water-soluble and exchangeable (WS), specifically adsorbed (SPAD), Mn-Oxide bound (MnOX), amorphous Fe-oxides (FeOX), and organically bound (OM) zinc fractions in ‘high’ P (22.5–50 kg ha−1) soils than ‘medium’ (12.5–22.5 kg ha−1) and ‘low’ P (< 12.5 kg ha−1) soils. Further, the addition of farmyard manure (FYM) significantly improved the availability of all the soil Zn fractions. Plant Zn uptake decreases with P additions of 39 and 52 kg P ha−1 by 20 and 26% in ‘high’ P soils, 15 and 26% in ‘medium’ P soils, and 6 and 12% in low P soils respectively, indicating higher Olsen-P levels restricts the translocation of Zn from roots to above-ground parts of the plant. Maximum grain Zn content averaging 30 mg kg−1 over three years was observed at Olsen-P level of 21.5 mg kg−1. Path analysis highlighted that extractable OM and MnOX fractions in ‘high’ P soils, WS and FeOX fractions in ‘medium’ P, and WS fractions in low P soils were the most prevalent fractions that contribute towards Zn uptake of maize plants.

Evaluation of Serum Zinc Status of Pregnant Women in the China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance (CACDNS) 2015.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum zinc status of pregnant women in the China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance (CACDNS) in 2015–2016. Methods: A total of 7147 apparently healthy pregnant women were randomly selected in 302 national monitoring sites. Information on age, race, residence region, education, pregnancy, and family income per annum was collected, and the concentration of serum zinc was determined. The evaluation of serum zinc status was further performed according to the recommendations by the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG). Results: The median concentration of serum zinc was 858.9 μg/L with an interquartile range (IQR) of 712.9 μg/L and 1048.9 μg/L, while the overall prevalence of zinc deficiency was 3.5% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 3.0% and 3.9%. Serum zinc status of pregnant women changed greatly in the different categories, particular in pregnancy and family income per annum (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of zinc deficiency (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The lower prevalence of zinc deficiency generally indicated a better zinc status for pregnant women in the CACDNS in 2015–2016. However, a well-designed evaluation system of zinc status for pregnant women should be continually optimized and improved by inducing more parameters such as biochemical, dietary, or functional indicators.

On-farm seed priming with zinc nutrition: a cost effective way to increase the yield of resource poor farmers

Among the micronutrients, Zinc (Zn) is one of the essential nutrient due to its involvement in many metabolic processes in plant. The research was conducted to optimize Zn seed priming treatments for improving the yield attributing traits and crop yield of pea and maize crops. Different priming levels of Zn (water soaking- without zinc, 1%, 2% and 3% ZnSO4), were applied with three priming durations (4, 8 and 12 hours). The priming treatments were compared with basal dose of recommended NPK + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha−1 and farmers’ practice (40% N of RDF + unprimed seed- control). The results showed that seed priming with 1% ZnSO4 for 12 hours solution increased yield attributing traits (length of pea pods, number of pods/plant, number of grains/pod and shelling in pea pods) and yield of green peas, however in maize crop yield attributing traits (length of maize cobs, number of cobs/plant, number of grains/cob, shelling in maize cobs, girth of maize cobs and 1000-grain weight of maize) and yield were found maximum due to priming with 2% for 12 hours duration.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and its major role in plant growth, zinc nutrition, phosphorous regulation and phytoremediation

Arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) are a big player of the ecosystem which shows a major concern over plant nutrition by providing access to the soil-derived nutrients. Naturally, an intimate association between plant roots and AMF is observed. AMF are involved in improvement on the soil water regime and nutrient uptake both in the biotic and abiotic stress situations such as drought, temperature extreme, heavy metals, salinity, pathogen and metal pollution. This kind of symbiotic relationship between plant roots and fungal hyphae is observed to be 80% of the terrestrial plant species worldwide. In plant AMF association fungal hyphae are benefitted by obtaining sugar from the host plants root and host plants root are ameliorated by improved uptake of water and nutrients from soil surface. AMF have a dual role to manage the Zn nutrition in soil. For example below a critical Zn concentration, Zn uptake is enhanced by AMF application and above the critical level, Zn translocation to plant shoots is restricted. Synergistic association between Zn and AMF is important for sustainable yield and quality. It is observed that grain Zn content in the field is increased with applying AMF. AMF help in the plant growth, development and reproduction, as the Zn is essential for pollen tube formation. By AMF application there is an increment in the content of lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidant activities than non AMF plants in tomato. In traditional driven agriculture, inherent soil fertility is the major source of P with an occasional supply of manure for the crops. But after modernization in agriculture results in overexploitation of the P and results in low crop yield and farm income. Rock phosphate is the major source of the phosphatic fertilizer and is non-renewable which could be exhausted in the next 50–100 years. Moreover, the stimulation of secondary metabolites synthesis results in the improvement of crop quality by sustainable use of phosphatic fertilizers. So P application techniques which can also ameliorate AMF are widely promising. This is how AMF play a pivotal role in developing present era farming practices towards sustainable agriculture. Phytoremediation of heavy metals from different soil types has potential benefit of using AMF in soil. Mycorrhizae disrupt the uptake of the different heavy metals from the rhizosphere and movement from the root to the aerial parts. The major role of AMF in plant growth and development during stressful environments is to translocate important immovable nutrients like Cu, Zn and P and reducing metal toxicity in the host plant.

Effects of zinc binding on the binding of epigallocatechin gallate (green tea) to bovine serum albumin and myoglobin

Serum albumin as a zinc carrier binds 80% plasma zinc to facilitate zinc absorption. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, green tea) is reported to bind to serum albumin to perform its biological functions in vivo. However, the available information on how zinc binding affects the binding of EGCG to proteins or how EGCG binding affects the binding of zinc to proteins are very limited. In the present study, the effects of zinc binding on the binding of EGCG to bovine serum albumin and myoglobin were investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry, fluorescence quenching and molecular docking. The obtained results suggested that binding of zinc to bovine serum albumin and myoglobin could increase the EGCG binding affinity of proteins as indicated by the thermodynamic parameters. In addition, the formation of protein/zinc complex shifted the EGCG binding site of proteins. For myoglobin, the electron transfer from EGCG to myoglobin was facilitated by zinc binding induced stronger EGCG binding to myoglobin. Such study provides very fundamental and useful knowledge for zinc and EGCG nutrition.

Zinc in Dog Nutrition, Health and Disease: A Review

Simple SummaryThis work compiles the current state of knowledge regarding zinc requirements of healthy dogs and biomarkers of zinc status. To ensure an adequate zinc status, it is important to know the zinc content of foods and their bioavailability to assess the need and the ideal supplementation strategy regarding levels and sources of additives in complete dog foods. As zinc is required for enzymatic, structural, and regulatory functions in the animal body, its nutritional status has been associated with several pathologies that may be due to, or exacerbated by, a deficit of dietary zinc supply.Zinc is an essential trace element, required for enzymatic, structural, and regulatory functions. As body reserves are scarce, an adequate zinc status relies on proper dietary supply and efficient homeostasis. Several biomarkers have been proposed that enable the detection of poor zinc status, but more sensitive and specific ones are needed to detect marginal deficiencies. The zinc content of commercial dry dog foods has great variability, with a more frequent non-compliance with the maximum authorized limit than with the nutritional requirement. The bioavailability of dietary zinc also plays a crucial role in ensuring an adequate zinc status. Despite controversial results, organic zinc sources have been considered more bioavailable than inorganic sources, albeit the zinc source effect is more evident after a restriction period of dietary zinc. Many disorders have been associated with inadequate zinc status, not being clear whether the occurrence of the disease is the consequence or the cause. This review presents data on zinc requirements and biomarkers for zinc status, that can be applied for the development of supplementation strategies of zinc in complete pet foods. Moreover, it provides an understanding of the role zinc plays in the health of dogs, and how altered zinc status affects diseases in dogs.

Performance of vermicompost in zinc and boron nutrition for quality production of cabbage

The quality and efficacy of vermicompost are greatly influenced by the respective feeding materials as well as earthworm species used in vermicomposting. Consequently, the variable role of applied vermicompost is reflected in crop production. With a view to observe the efficacy of vermicompost produced from various sources in supplementing zinc and boron requirement for quality production of cabbage, a field study was conducted in Floodplain soil of Bangladesh. Six treatment combinations comprising of vermicompost from different sources, and different levels of zinc and boron from mineral fertilizers were tested in the study. The vermicompost used in different treatments were produced from different combinations of feeding materials (cowdung and poultry litter) and earthworm species (Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae). A control treatment having no supplement of Zn and B was tested in the study. Higher measurements were recorded for most of the parameters studied, i.e., head diameter, marketable yield and total yield in the vermicompost treated plots than the solely mineral fertilizer treated plot. Except for P, the highest uptake of each of the elements by cabbage was observed due to the application of T3 treatment (VC-ECD @2.0 t ha-1 + 1.5 kg Zn ha-1 + 1.0 kg B ha-1). The findings of this research work indicate the additional benefit of using vermicompost over the mineral fertilizer in supplying zinc and boron for better production of cabbage.

Grouping Some Paddy Cultivars in Terms of Zinc Nutrition Capabilities and Identification of the Best Zinc Nutrition Traits of These Cultivars

The present study was conducted to group some paddy cultivars in terms of their zinc nutritional capabilities and to identify the best zinc nutrition traits of these cultivars. Present experiments were conducted with 5 different paddy cultivars (Oryza sativa L. cv Biga İncisi, Osmancık 97, Hamzadere, Ronaldo, Edirne). In the experiment, a complete nutrient solution containing 0 and 2.0 µM Zn in the form of zinc sulphate heptahydrate was applied to lime-free (0 % CaCO3) and lime-added (4 % CaCO3) quartz sand media. Experiments were conducted in 5×2×2 factorial design with 3 replications. At the end of the experiments, zinc nutrition traits of paddy cultivars were determined. Both in lime-free and lime-added sand media, Biga İncisi paddy cultivar was identified as tolerant to zinc deficiency. Ronaldo paddy cultivar was identified as the most sensitive cultivar to zinc deficiency. It was observed that in terms of investigated 15 zinc nutrition traits, 5 different paddy cultivars grown under zinc deficiency (Zn0) conditions were gathered under 2 main groups. Biga İncisi and Edirne cultivars constituted the first group; Osmancık-97 and Hamzadere cultivars constituted the second group. On the other hand, Ronaldo cultivar was found to be closer to the second group including Osmancık-97 and Hamzadere cultivars. The closest paddy cultivars grown under zinc deficiency conditions in terms of investigated traits were identified as Biga İncisi and Edirne cultivars; on the other hand, the furthest cultivars were identified as Biga İncisi and Osmancık-97 cultivars. For Osmancık-97 and Biga İncisi paddy cultivars, SPAD readings in lime-added sand media were identified as the best zinc nutrition traits. For Edirne cultivar, zinc ratio transported to shoot and shoot relative dry matter content in lime-added media were identified as the best zinc nutrition traits. For Hamzadere cultivar, relative chlorophyll content in lime-free media was identified as the best zinc nutrition.

Effect of zinc nutrition on yield of rice-wheat cropping system and soil properties

A study was conducted in an ongoing experiment under AICRP on micronutrients at nursery jhilli of RPCAU, research farm. The experiment consisted of thirteen treatments, of which twelve combinations were of four doses of zinc (Zn) (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 kg ha-1), three frequencies (only once, alternate year and every year) of application along with control with the no-zinc application. Rice and wheat crops were grown in succession with the recommended dosages of fertiliser viz. 120:60:40 of N: P2O5: K2O applied as Urea, DAP, and Potash, respectively. Surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected after the harvest of the wheat crop in the year 2018, i.e. after completion of six years of the experiment, and analysed for soil physical and chemical properties. The availability of nitrogen, sulphur, organic carbon content and aggregate stability increased, and the bulk density, phosphorous availability decreased with increasing doses and zinc application rates. No effect on soil availability of potassium, pH and EC. The treatment T7 i.e., application of zinc @ 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 in alternate year application was the best treatment with regards to yield of rice-wheat cropping (982.9 q ha-1) and also for good physical and chemical properties of the soil.

Influence of zinc nutrition on zinc availability, uptake and crop yield of rainfed maize-pea sequence in Northwestern Himalaya

Field experiments were conducted during summer (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons from 2014-2016 at the experimental farm of Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Bajaura, Kullu to study the influence of zinc nutrition on its availability, uptake and crop yield of rainfed maize-pea sequence in Northwestern Himalaya. Different levels of zinc (Zn) priming (water soaking- without zinc, 1%, 2% and 3% ZnSO4), were applied to the seeds of maize and pea for three priming durations (4, 8 and 12 h). The outcomes were compared with the basal dose of recommended NPK + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha−1 and farmers’ practice (40% N of recommended dose of fertilizer + unprimed seed- control). The availability of Zn content in soil was significantly improved with the increasing levels of priming and its durations. The maximum available Zn content in soil was recorded from the application of ZnSO4 and minimum with water soaking- without zinc. The Zn uptake by pea pods, maize grains and stover of both crops was found maximum in priming with 2% ZnSO4 at the priming duration of 12 h. The yield of green peas and pea stover were maximum with 1% ZnSO4 at the priming duration of 12 h, however, maize grain and stover yield were highest with a treatment combination of 2% ZnSO4 with 12 h duration of seed priming. The results revealed the positive effect of ZnSO4 seed priming on zinc availability its uptake and crop yield at the different extent in rainfed maize-pea sequence. The seed priming to maize -pea sequence can be applied in nutrients deficient areas to improve crop yield and avoid severe health complications from Zn malnutrition.

Review on Phosphorus and Zinc Fertilizer Application for Enhanced Performance of Crops

This review discusses about phosphorus and zinc fertilizer consumption led to increasing yield and yield components of the crops. The objectives of this review were focuses on the impact of application of phosphorus and zinc fertilizers on yield and yield components of crop plants and their importance on crop performance enhancement. The other important aspect of phosphorus and zinc nutrition is the interaction effect between them, especially in soils marginally deficient in phosphorus and zinc. When phosphorus and zinc were fertilized together, to such soils, crop yields are reported to increase with positive interaction of phosphorus and zinc. The Applications of zinc and phosphorus fertilizers led to increasing yield and yield components of crops such as height, number of tiller, Biomass yield, the number of filled grain spike, yield in ha, spike weight in plant, grain length, spike length in m 2 and harvest index etc. Thus, it is important to apply the effect of P and Zn nutrients to improve yield and yield components of cops. Keywords: Phosphorus, zinc, marginal, interaction DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-4-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Improvement in zinc nutrition by focusing on zinc absorption mechanism

Improvement in zinc nutrition by focusing on zinc absorption mechanism

Efficiency and safety of using different sources of zinc in poultry nutrition

Full and balanced diet of poultry with high-quality feeds and availability of minerals is the key to high safety and productivity of animals. The needs of animals for minerals can be met through various forms of compounds: inorganic, organic, chelated and nanoscale. The aim of research was a comparative assessment of influence of various forms of zinc on the productivity and morpho-biochemical parameters of blood of broiler chickens. Replacing the inorganic form of zinc with nanoscale (group I) and organic form (group II) leads to a positive productive effect by the end of the experiment, by 4.6 and 11.1 %, respectively, compared to the control. At the same time, a short-term increase in the number of leukocytes at 28 days of age was observed after feeding with nanoZn (group I) by 40 % (P≤0.05) and by 12.4 % when using its organic form (group II). The concentration of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells tended to increase in the experimental groups compared with the control at 21, 28 and 35 days of age. The use of various forms of zinc affects the state of biochemical indicators of metabolism in the body, leading to different growth rates of animals. The study showed that it is possible to improve broiler productivity by completely replacing the inorganic form of zinc with an organic or nanoscale one. The obtained result shows the possibility of using these forms in the industrial production of animal feed.

Reference Cut-Offs to Define Low Serum Zinc Concentrations in 1-19 Year Old Indian Children and Adolescents

Background: The quantification of population zinc (Zn) deficiency is based on serum zinc concentration (SZC) cut-offs, defined by International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG), derived from the 2·5th centile of age- and sex-specific SZC distributions from a high-income country. However, the SZC distributions, and its 2·5tthcentile cut-offs, can left-shift for a variety of reasons in lower middle-income countries (LMICs). The recent quality-controlled Indian Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) offered an opportunity to re-examine the SZC cut-offs in healthy 1–19-year-old children and adolescents and evaluate whether Zn deficiency was truly a public health problem in India. Methods: A healthy population (n=12473) of children was selected by including the highest 2 wealth quintiles, and excluding stunted, thin and obese children, and those with CRP >5mg/L, anemia, hypo-albuminemia, diabetes, recent diarrhea and a history of smoking. The 2·5th centile of the SZC distribution from this sample yielded the present cut-off to re-evaluate the prevalence of Zn deficiency against the IZiNCG cut-offs. Findings: The present study SZC cut-offs were significantly lower, by 10–18 µg/dL, than the IZiNCG cut-offs; more in adolescents. Thus, the prevalence of Zn deficiency in the entire CNNS sample, with the present cut-offs, was 2·7 to 5·5 times lower than with the IZiNCG cut-offs. No geographical state, nor any age group, showed Zn deficiency as a serious public health problem (≥20%). In contrast, with the IZiNCG cut-offs, between 9 to 27 states (depending on age group) had a serious public health problem with Zn deficiency. Interpretation: The present study reference SZC cut-offs for Zn deficiency are lower than the IZiNCG cut-offs, and since they were selected rigorously from a national sample, are more appropriate for use in India. A re-examination of the global applicability of IZiNCG recommended cut-offs to quantify Zn deficiency in other LMICs is required. Funding Source: CNNS is funded by The Mittal Foundation. However, there is no specific funding for this secondary analysis. Declaration of Interests: HSS designed the draft protocol of the CNNS with consultancy support from UNICEF, India. HSS, UK, and AVK were members of the Technical Advisory Committee of the CNNS, constituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, to oversee its conduct and analysis. HSS is a member of the WHO Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Subgroup on Diet and Health and Guideline Development Group on the use and interpretation of haemoglobin concentrations for assessing anaemia status in individuals and populations, member of the World Health Organization Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Subgroup on Diet and Health and Expert group on nutrient requirements: setting calcium, vitamin D and Zn nutrient intake values for children aged 0-4 years. He is also member of Expert Groups of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Nutrition and Child Health. SD was involved in the CNNS study implementation. There were no other conflicts to declare. Ethics Approval Statement: The Population Council’s International Review Board (New York, USA) and the Ethics Committee of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (Chandigarh, India) gave ethical approval. Written consent from parent/caregiver for children under 10 years, consent of parent/caregiver as well as assent from adolescents (11-17 years) and written consent of adolescents above 17 years were obtained after due description of study details in local languages.

Time- and Zinc-Related Changes in Biomechanical Properties of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells Examined by Atomic Force Microscopy.

Simple SummaryWe aimed to study how cellular zinc status (adequate vs. deficiency), closely related to colorectal cancer, does affect the nanomechanical properties of cell lines HT-29 and HT-29-MTX during their early proliferation (24–96 h). These properties and their variations can be characterized by means of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), a technique that allows perpendicular indentation of cells with a sharp nanometric tip, under controlled speed and load, while recording the real time variation of tip-to-cell interacting forces on approach, contact, and retraction segments. From each of these sections, complete information about the respective elastic modulus, relaxation behavior, and adhesion is extracted, thus identifying cell line- and zinc-related nanomechanical fingerprints. Our results show how the impact of zinc deficiency on the mechanical response of the cells underlines the relevance of monitoring the nutritional zinc status of tumor samples when analyzing cancerous tissues or single cells with AFM, particularly regarding the development and validation of biomechanical fingerprints as diagnostic markers for cancer.Monitoring biomechanics of cells or tissue biopsies employing atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers great potential to identify diagnostic biomarkers for diseases, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). Data on the mechanical properties of CRC cells, however, are still scarce. There is strong evidence that the individual zinc status is related to CRC risk. Thus, this study investigates the impact of differing zinc supply on the mechanical response of the in vitro CRC cell lines HT-29 and HT-29-MTX during their early proliferation (24–96 h) by measuring elastic modulus, relaxation behavior, and adhesion factors using AFM. The differing zinc supply severely altered the proliferation of these cells and markedly affected their mechanical properties. Accordingly, zinc deficiency led to softer cells, quantitatively described by 20–30% lower Young’s modulus, which was also reflected by relevant changes in adhesion and rupture event distribution compared to those measured for the respective zinc-adequate cultured cells. These results demonstrate that the nutritional zinc supply severely affects the nanomechanical response of CRC cell lines and highlights the relevance of monitoring the zinc content of cancerous cells or biopsies when studying their biomechanics with AFM in the future.

Responses in Zinc Uptake of Different Mycorrhizal and Non-mycorrhizal Crops to Varied Levels of Phosphorus and Zinc Applications.

Negative effects of high phosphorus (P) application on zinc (Zn) nutrition have been observed in many crops. This study investigated the Zn responses of three typical crops to varied P and Zn applications. A pot experiment was conducted using two mycorrhizal crops (maize and soybean) and one non-mycorrhizal crop (oilseed rape) under three levels of P, two levels of Zn, and two levels of benomyl. Results showed that P application significantly decreased shoot and root Zn concentrations, Zn uptake, and Zn acquisition efficiency (ZnAE) of the three crops irrespective of Zn rate, and that these reductions were greater for maize and soybean than for oilseed rape. Zn application alleviated the P inhibition of Zn uptake in the three crops. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization of maize and soybean contributed most to the negative effects of increasing P application on Zn uptake, explaining 79–89 and 64–69% of the effect, respectively. For oilseed rape, root dry weight and root Zn concentration explained 90% of the decrease in Zn uptake caused by P application. These results suggest that there is another pathway in addition to the mycorrhizal pathway regulating Zn uptake under mediation by P supply.

Zinc nutrition to enhance rice productivity, zinc use efficiency, and grain biofortification under different production systems

AbstractZinc (Zn) deficiency is the most important abiotic factor limiting rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity and also a nutritional disorder with adverse impacts on human health worldwide. The present study investigated the comparative effect of four Zn application methods: Zn seed coating (2 g Zn kg−1 seed), Zn seed priming (0.25 M Zn solution), basal application (10 kg ha−1), and Zn foliar spray (0.5% Zn solution) in improving the productivity and biofortification of rice under puddled transplanted (PudTR) and direct‐seeded rice (DSR) system. A general control with no Zn application was included, whereas hydro‐priming and foliar water application were used as positive control treatments for Zn seed priming and Zn foliar spray, respectively. Regardless of application methods, Zn nutrition significantly improved the yield and related traits and grain Zn concentration in both production systems. Averaged across 2 yr, the increase in grain yield under different Zn application treatments was in the order of seed priming (23%) &gt; foliar application (18%) &gt; basal application (18%) &gt; seed coating (13%), compared with the control. However, grain Zn concentration was the highest with seed priming in PudTR (33% over control) and with basal application in DSR (45% over control). The maximum net benefits were obtained through Zn seed priming in both production systems. In conclusion, Zn seed priming improved the yield and was the most cost‐effective method in PudTR and DSR system.

Zinc Deficiency-An Independent Risk Factor in the Pathogenesis of Haemorrhagic Stroke?

Zinc is an essential trace element for human health and plays a fundamental role in metabolic, immunological and many other biological processes. The effects of zinc are based on the intra- and extracellular regulatory function of the zinc ion (Zn2+) and its interactions with proteins. The regulation of cellular zinc homeostasis takes place via a complex network of metal transporters and buffering systems that react to changes in the availability of zinc in nutrition, chronic diseases, infections and many other processes. Zinc deficiency is associated with impairment of numerous metabolic processes, reduced resistance to infections due to impaired immune functions, changes in skin and its appendages and disorders of wound healing and haemostasis. While ischemic heart attacks (myocardial infarction) occur more frequently with meat-based normal diets, haemorrhagic strokes are more frequently observed with vegetarian/vegan diets. The causes are discussed as deficiencies of various micronutrients, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, various amino acids and also zinc. In the present review, after a description of the functions of zinc and its resorption, a discussion of daily food intake will follow, with a special focus on the importance of food composition and preparation for the zinc balance. The close interrelationships between proteins, especially albumin and zinc will be discussed. Finally, the possible causes and consequences of a zinc deficiency on the blood vessels and blood coagulation are considered.

Efficacy of l-glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid to improve the dietary trace mineral bioavailability in broilers.

Trace minerals are commonly supplemented in the diets of farmed animals in levels exceeding biological requirements, resulting in extensive fecal excretion and environmental losses. Chelation of trace metal supplements with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) can mitigate the effects of dietary antagonists by preserving the solubility of trace minerals. Lack of EDTA biodegradability, however, is of environmental concern. l-Glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) is a readily biodegradable chelating agent that could be used as a suitable alternative to EDTA. The latter was tested in sequential dose–response experiments in broiler chickens. Study 1 compared the effect of EDTA and GLDA in broilers on supplemental zinc availability at three levels of added zinc (5, 10, and 20 ppm) fed alone or in combination with molar amounts of GLDA or EDTA equivalent to chelate the added zinc, including negative (no supplemental zinc) and positive (80 ppm added zinc) control treatments. Study 2 quantified the effect of GLDA on the availability of native trace mineral feed content in a basal diet containing no supplemental minerals and supplemented with three levels of GLDA (54, 108, and 216 ppm). In study 1, serum and tibia Zn clearly responded to the increasing doses of dietary zinc with a significant response to the presence of EDTA and GLDA (P < 0.05). These results are also indicative of the equivalent nutritional properties between GLDA and EDTA. In study 2, zinc levels in serum and tibia were also increased with the addition of GLDA to a basal diet lacking supplemental trace minerals, where serum zinc levels were 60% higher at the 216 ppm inclusion level. Similar to the reported effects of EDTA, these studies demonstrate that dietary GLDA may have enhanced zinc solubility in the gastrointestinal tract and subsequently enhanced availability for absorption, resulting in improved nutritional zinc status in zinc-deficient diets. As such, GLDA can be an effective nutritional tool to reduce supplemental zinc levels in broiler diets, thereby maintaining health and performance while reducing the environmental footprint of food-producing animals.

Improving productivity, quality and biofortification in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) through sulfur and zinc nutrition in alluvial soils of the semi-arid region of India

Sulfur (S) fertilization is essentially required for improving the crop productivity and oil content especially in legume oilseeds like groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in south-Asian soils most of which are S-deficient. Apart from S, zinc (Zn) is also deficient in south-Asian soils. Thus, Zn-fertilization may prove as a cost-effective and sustainable approach to produce Zn-biofortified groundnut kernels to combat Zn-malnutrition besides enhanced oil, protein and kernel productivity. Hence, a field experiment was conducted on S- and Zn-fertilization in groundnut using 3 S-levels (0, 20, 40 kg/ha), 4-Zn levels (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 kg/ha) and 2 Zn-biofertilizer levels (control and Zn-biofertilizer) in a split-plot design replicated thrice in a south-Asian semi-arid environment. Application of 40 kg S/ha significantly improved the pod and kernel yield, oil content and oil yield, protein content and protein yield in groundnut. Zn-application substantially improved the pod and kernel yield, oil yield and protein yield upto 5 kg Zn/ha; while further increase to 7.5 kg/ha considerably declined the pod and kernel yield, oil and protein yield. Application of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha led to 7.8, 17 and 26.4% increase in Zn-content in groundnut kernels over control; however, 5.0 kg Zn/ha proved superior for harnessing higher Zn uptake at different growth stages and in different plant parts at harvest. Zn-biofertilizer enhanced the pod yield by ∼5%. Interaction effects stressed upon supplementing 2.5 kg Zn/ha with Zn-biofertilizer in harnessing groundnut productivity equivalent to sole use of 5 kg Zn/ha. Application of 40 kg S/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha enhanced pod productivity by 31.6 and 21.2%, respectively over control. Overall, dual application of 40 kg S/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha may prove highly beneficial to enhance the pod and kernel productivity, quality with Zn-biofortified groundnut kernels besides improving human and animal health in S and Zn-deficient south-Asian alluvial soils.