scholarly journals Elemental Analysis of Popular Zinc Rich Rice Varieties using ESEM and ICP-OES

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-311
Author(s):  
Swapan Kumar Tripathy ◽  
Sambit Patra

A comparative study was carried out for elemental composition of grains of eight popular rice genotypes. The Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) setup was used to explore type and quantity of surface elements in various layers of rice grains. The main constituents are carbon and oxygen, with elements like Al and Si being prominently found on the husk. Rice kernels serve as staple food. We found that the top surface layer of whole rice kernel is rich in carbon compared to oxygen, but oxygen content increased in the internal area of kernel (endosperm in broken kernel) in all test genotypes. Further, our ESEM results showed that the husk of grain consists of more elements than the seed part. Though most of the above rice varieties are Zn and/or Fe rich, the ESEM facility could not identify them. ICP-OES analysis revealed Nagina-22 and R-RHZ-7 as highly zinc and iron rich rice varieties respectively. The knowledge of elemental composition of husk and whole kernel may pave the way for their effective uses in biofortification programme and as such for use as food, animal feed and industrial purposes.

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1155
Author(s):  
Amanullah ◽  
Inamullah ◽  
Mona S. Alwahibi ◽  
Mohamed Soliman Elshikh ◽  
Jawaher Alkahtani ◽  
...  

Continuous cropping of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) deplete soil fertility and reduce crop productivity as well as zinc (Zn) concentrations in rice grains and straw. Low Zn concentrations in rice grains have a negative impact on human health, while low Zn concertation in rice straw creates a nutritional problem for animals. The current high yielding rice varieties and hybrids remove large quantities of Zn from the soils, lowering the residual concentrations of soil Zn for the subsequent crop (e.g., wheat). Field experiments were conducted on farmers field in Malakand with the objective to evaluate the impact of various combinations of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1) and Zn levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 kg ha−1) on biofortification of Zn in grains and straw of rice genotypes [fine (Bamati-385) vs. coarse (Fakhre-e-Malakand and Pukhraj)]. The results revealed that Zn biofortification in rice genotypes increased with the integrated use of both nutrients (P + Zn) when applied at higher rates (80 and 120 kg P ha−1, and 10 and 15 kg Zn ha−1, respectively). The biofortification of Zn in both grains and straw was higher in the coarse than fine rice genotypes (Pukhraj > Fakhre-e-Malakand > Basmati-385). It was concluded from this study that the application of higher P and Zn levels increased Zn contents in rice parts (grains and straw) under the rice-wheat system. We also concluded from this study that Zn concentrations in rice grains and straw are influenced by plant genetic factors and Zn management practices.


Author(s):  
Howard S. Kaufman ◽  
Keith D. Lillemoe ◽  
John T. Mastovich ◽  
Henry A. Pitt

Gallstones contain precipitated cholesterol, calcium salts, and proteins. Calcium (Ca) bilirubinate, palmitate, phosphate, and carbonate occurring in gallstones have variable morphologies but characteristic windowless energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectra. Previous studies of gallstone microstructure and composition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX have been limited to dehydrated samples. In this state, Ca bilirubinates appear as either glassy masses, which predominate in black pigment stones, or as clusters, which are found mostly in cholesterol gallstones. The three polymorphs of Ca carbonate, calcite, vaterite, and aragonite, have been identified in gallstones by x-ray diffraction, however; the morphologies of these crystals vary in the literature. The purpose of this experiment was to study fresh gallstones by environmental SEM (ESEM) to determine if dehydration affects gallstone Ca salt morphology.Gallstones and bile were obtained fresh at cholecystectomy from 6 patients. To prevent dehydration, stones were stored in bile at 37°C. All samples were studied within 4 days of procurement.


Author(s):  
G.D. Danilatos

The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) has evolved as the natural extension of the scanning electron microscope (SEM), both historically and technologically. ESEM allows the introduction of a gaseous environment in the specimen chamber, whereas SEM operates in vacuum. One of the detection systems in ESEM, namely, the gaseous detection device (GDD) is based on the presence of gas as a detection medium. This might be interpreted as a necessary condition for the ESEM to remain operational and, hence, one might have to change instruments for operation at low or high vacuum. Initially, we may maintain the presence of a conventional secondary electron (E-T) detector in a "stand-by" position to switch on when the vacuum becomes satisfactory for its operation. However, the "rough" or "low vacuum" range of pressure may still be considered as inaccessible by both the GDD and the E-T detector, because the former has presumably very small gain and the latter still breaks down.


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