scholarly journals Mineral Element Concentrations in Vegetables Cultivated in Acidic Compared to Alkaline Areas of South Sweden

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. ASWR.S1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingegerd Rosborg ◽  
Lars Gerhardsson ◽  
Bengt Nihlgård

A study in 1997, on mineral levels in acidic compared to alkaline well waters, and in women's hair, revealed higher concentrations of a number of mineral elements like Ca, Mo and Se in alkaline waters and hair. Thus, median Ca levels were six times higher in well water and five times higher in hair from the alkaline area compared to the acidic area. This finding raised the probability of similar differences in vegetables from these areas. Thus, in the year 2006, 60 women who had participated in the study in 1997 were asked to cultivate parsley, lettuce, carrot and chive. During the spring of 2006, the women from the water and hair study of 1997, 30 of them from the acidic area and 30 women from the alkaline district cultivated vegetables: carrot (Daucus carota L), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), chive (Allium schoenoprasum) and lettuce (Eruca sativa). The vegetables were harvested, and rinsed in tap water from the kitchens of the participating women in August. The concentrations of about 35 elements and ions were determined by ICP OES and ICP-MS predominantly. In addition, soil samples from the different cultivators were also analyzed for a number of elements. Lettuce and parsley showed the highest concentrations of mineral elements per gram dry weight. Only Mo concentrations were significantly higher in all the different vegetables from the alkaline district compared to vegetables from the acidic areas. On the other hand, the concentrations of Ba, Br, Mn, Rb and Zn were higher in all the different vegetables from the acidic area. In the soil, only pH and exchangeable Ca from the alkaline area were higher than from the acidic area, while exchangeable Fe, Mn and Na concentrations were higher in soils from the acidic area. Soil elements like Al, Fe, Li, Ni, Pb, Si, Ti, V, Zn and Zr were found in higher concentrations in lettuce and parsley, which were attributed to soil particles being splashed on the plants by the rain and absorbed by the leaves. Strong correlations appeared between Ca and Sr in all the vegetables, except for carrot. No strong correlations were found between soil elements and vegetable elements, except for soil Mn and carrot/lettuce Mn. The differences in mineral levels in both, vegetables and soils were however small, compared to differences in well waters and hair. It was also suggested that the garden soils on limestone bedrock had been drained of minerals and thereby, the soil had an acidic pH. The contribution of mineral elements to daily intake in humans was considered minor from the analysed vegetables, except for some samples of lettuce that should give significant contributions of Ca, Zn, Mn and Mo. The main conclusion is that, differences in water and hair mineral levels between the two areas in the earlier study (1997) were not mirrored in vegetables cultivated in 2006. Principally, this suggests that, for humans the mineral intake of some elements from water may be more important than from vegetables.

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athar Hussain ◽  
Manjeeta Priyadarshi ◽  
Saif Said ◽  
Suraj Negi

Most of the industrial sewage effluents used for irrigation contains heavy metals which cause toxicity to crop plants as the soils are able to accumulate heavy metal for many years. The vegetables grown for the present study were irrigated with treated wastewater brought from a nearby full-scale sewage treatment plant at different compositions along with tap water as a control. The concentration levels of the Cd, Co, Cu, Mn and Zn in the soil were found to below the toxic limits as prescribed in literature. Daily Intake Metals (DIM) values suggest that the consumption of plants grown in treated wastewater and tap water is nearly free of risks, as the dietary intake limits of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn. The Enrichment Factor for the treated wastewater irrigated soil was found in order Zn> Ni> Pb> Cr> Cu> Co> Mn> Cd. Thus, treated wastewater can be effectively used for irrigation. This will have twofold significant environmental advantages: (1) helpful to reduce the groundwater usage for irrigation and (2) helpful to reduce the stress on surface water resources.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Helale Bahrami ◽  
Amir Ostadi Jafari ◽  
Jamshid Razmjoo

<p class="emsd-body"><span lang="EN-GB">Seeds of ten sesame cultivars (Karaj, Darab, Safiabad, Jiroft, Borazjan, Yellow-white, Felestin, Ultan, Isfahan and Abpakhsh) were sown into soil filled pots in 2008 and 2009. Pots were watered with six levels of salts (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m<sup>-1</sup> NaCl) until full maturity. Plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of cultivars were measured. Increasing salinity caused significant reduction in plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of all cultivars. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level. Based on seed oil yield data, Safiabad and Kraj at 0.0038ds.m<sup>-1</sup>, Safiabad and Ultan at 4.89ds.m<sup>-1</sup>, Ultan, Safiabad and Darab at 8.61 salinity levels were the superior cultivars. High variability in tolerance to salinity among the tested sesame cultivars suggests that selection of more salt tolerant cultivars for planting or breeding purposes is possible.</span></p><p class="emsd-body"><span lang="EN-GB">Highlights</span></p><p class="emsd-body"><span lang="EN-GB">Effects of contrasting salinity levels (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m<sup>-1</sup>NaCl) on sesame cultivars were tested. Salinity reduced plant growth and yield and seed oil and protein contents. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level. </span></p>


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azrina Azlan ◽  
Hock Eng Khoo ◽  
Mohd Aizat Idris ◽  
Amin Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Rizal Razman

The drinking and mineral water samples obtained from different geographical locations had concentrations of the selected minerals lower than the standard limits, except for manganese, arsenic, and fluoride. The concentrations of manganese and arsenic in two mineral water samples were slightly higher than the standard international recommended limits. One mineral water sample had a fluoride concentration higher than the standard limits, whereas manganese was not detected in nine drinking and mineral water samples. Most of the selected minerals found in the tap water samples were below the international standard limits, except for iron and manganese. The concentrations of iron and manganese in the tap water samples were higher than the standard limits, which were obtained from one and three of the studied locations, respectively. The potable water obtained from various manufacturers and locations in Peninsular Malaysia is safe for consumption, as the minerals concentrations were below the standard limits prescribed by the Malaysian Food Regulations of 1985. The data obtained may also provide important information related to daily intake of these minerals from drinking water.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanda Mączka ◽  
Daria Sołtysik ◽  
Katarzyna Wińska ◽  
Małgorzata Grabarczyk ◽  
Antoni Szumny

The enzymatic system of vegetables is well known as an efficient biocatalyst in the stereoselective reduction of ketones. Therefore, we decided to use the comminuted material of several plants including five vegetables (Apium graveolens L., Beta vulgaris L., Daucus carota L., Petroselinum crispum L., and Solanum tuberosum L.) and three fruits (Malus pumila L. “Golden” and “Kortland” as well as Pyrus communis L. “Konferencja”) to obtain enantiomerically pure carveol, which is commercially unavailable. Unexpectedly, all of the used biocatalysts not only reduced the carbonyl group of (4R)-(–)-carvone and (4S)-(+)-carvone, but also reduced the double bond in the cyclohexene ring. The results revealed that (4R)-(–)-carvone was transformed into (1R, 4R)- and (1S, 4R)-dihydrocarvones, and (1R,2R,4R)-dihydrocarveol. Although the enzymatic system of the potato transformed the substrate almost completely, the %de was not the highest. Potato yielded 92%; however, when carrot was used as the biocatalyst, it was possible to obtain 17% of (1R, 4R)-(+)-dihydrocarvone with 100% diastereomeric excess. In turn, the (4S)-(+)-carvone was transformed, using the biocatalysts, into (1R, 4S)- and (1S, 4S)-dihydrocarvones and dihydrocarveols. Complete substrate conversion was observed in biotransformation when potato was used. In the experiments using apple, (1R, 4S)-dihydrocarvone with 100% diastereomeric excess was obtained. Using NMR spectroscopy, we confirmed both diastereoisomers of 4(R)-1,2-dihydrocarveols, which were unseparated in the GC condition. Finally, we proved the high usefulness of vegetables for the biotransformation of both enantiomers of carvone as well as dihydrocarvone.


2019 ◽  
pp. 39-56

Two pots experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of El-Qassasin Horticultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during two successive seasons of 2016/2017 – 2017/2018, to investigate the effect of potassium silicate at (0, 4, 6, and 8 cm3/l) as a foliar spray under different levels of water salinity (tap water, 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm) on Calendula officinalis L. plant. The experiment was performed in complete randomized block design as factorial experiment with 3 replicates. The obtained results cleared that using salinity levels decreased growth parameters (plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weights of herb/plant), flowering parameters (flower diameter, number of flowers/plant, fresh and dry weight of flowers (g/plant) during eight cuts and fresh and dry weight of flowers (g/plant/season)) and chemical constituents (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carbohydrate and carotenoid contents) compared to control. Moreover, the highest values in these parameters were registered by potassium silicate at 8 cm3/l concentration. Proline content increased in leaves with using saline water at 3000 ppm + potassium silicate at 8 cm3/l. Generally, it could be concluded that potassium silicate at 8 cm3/l, showed a uniform impact in alleviating inhibition of Calendula officinallis L. plant growth and productivity under moderate salinity stress condition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
M. Gažarová ◽  
J. Kopčeková ◽  
J. Mrázová ◽  
P. Chlebo

AbstractHealthy nutrition requires the intake of all macronutrients and micronutrients in optimal ratio and quantity. Nowadays, many people tend to gluten-free food without health and medical reasons. Many gluten-free products are nutritionally poorer than gluten-containing analogues. Although in many cases gluten-free products are nutritionally rich (either naturally or as a result of fortification), the bioavailability of nutrients is limited. The study focused on the influence of a six-week consumption of gluten-free bread and bakery products on mineral status in thirty healthy people without coeliac disease and the impacts eight weeks after the end of the consumption. Since the recommended daily intake for phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron was satisfied at only 84–88% for our volunteers, we consider the increase in the average serum levels of the monitored parameters to be positive (except for calcium). The six-week consumption of gluten-free bakery products had a positive effect on the mineral status of the monitored group of healthy consumers. We found a significant increase in phosphorus (P < 0.001) and magnesium (P < 0.01) levels, a certain increase in iron (P > 0.05), whereas the level of calcium insignificantly lowered (P > 0.05).


1999 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 822-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian W. James ◽  
W. Stuart Mauchline ◽  
P. Julian Dennis ◽  
C. William Keevil ◽  
Robin Wait

ABSTRACT Chloroform-soluble material was extracted from two strains ofL. pneumophila serogroup 1 following growth in continuous culture. The purified material was identified as poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PHB yields of up to 16% of cell dry weight were extracted from culture samples. The PHB was located in electron-dense intracellular inclusions, which fluoresced bright yellow when stained with the lipophilic dye Nile red. A Nile red spectrofluorometric assay provided a more accurate and reliable determination of the PHB content. PHB accumulation increased threefold during iron-limited culture and was inversely related to the concentration of iron metabolized. Chemostat-grown cells survived in a culturable state for at least 600 days when incubated at 24°C in a low-nutrient tap water environment. Nile red spectrofluorometry and flow cytometry demonstrated that PHB reserves were utilized during starvation. PHB utilization, as revealed by the decline in mean cellular fluorescence and cell complexity, correlated with loss of culturability. Fluorescence microscopy provided visual evidence of PHB utilization, with a marked reduction in the number of Nile red-stained granules during starvation. Heat shock treatment failed to resuscitate nonculturable cells. This study demonstrates that L. pneumophila accumulates significant intracellular reserves of PHB, which promote its long-term survival under conditions of starvation.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 999
Author(s):  
Massimiliano D’Imperio ◽  
Angelo Parente ◽  
Francesco F. Montesano ◽  
Massimiliano Renna ◽  
Antonio F. Logrieco ◽  
...  

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a wild edible plant, traditionally consumed in the Mediterranean area and recently proposed as a new ready-to-eat vegetable; it is also called the “vegetable for long life” because of the high contents of several healthy compounds. Although boron (B) is not considered to be essential for humans, a daily intake of about 2 mg to obtain positive effects on aging in adult men and women has been suggested. In this study, two genotypes of purslane (wild collected and commercial variety) are grown by using a hydroponic system with three boron (B) levels in the nutrient solution (NS) (0.3 mg/L—control, 3 mg/L—low level of biofortification, and 6 mg/L—high level of biofortification) in order to increase the B content in the edible parts of the plant. The crop yield, color traits, and content of glucose, fructose, total phenols, chlorophylls, carotenoids, mineral elements (Al, B, Ca, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn), nitrate, and oxalate are analyzed. Independent of the genotype, the B content in edible purslane was successfully increased in comparison with the control, obtaining 1.8- to 10.7-fold higher values of B tissue concentrations by using, respectively, 3 and 6 mg/L of B in the NS without affecting crop performances. From a nutritional point of view, the average daily intake of B could be satisfied by consuming about 75 or 48 g of purslane, grown by using 3 and 6 mg/L B level in the NS, respectively. Apart from B and Fe, the content of mineral elements in edible parts of purslane was not strongly influenced by different B levels in the NS but it was affected by genotypes. A lower sugar content was found in wild purslane grown with the highest B level. A higher content of both chlorophylls and carotenoids was found in the control but only for the commercial genotype. No differences in oxalate content were observed among B levels in the NS, while only in the case of wild genotype, we found a lower nitrate content when a B concentration of 3 mg/L was used in the NS. In conclusion, we demonstrated the possibility of using the floating hydroponic system, combined with specific B concentrations in the NS composition, as a method to calibrate the B uptake in edible parts of purslane.


HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Mulas ◽  
Rita A.M. Melis

Leaves of five myrtle cultivars were analyzed for chlorophyll a and b, polyphenol, and tannin contents in two years (2000 and 2001), two seasons (spring and winter), and two growing areas (Alghero and Oristano, Sardinia, Italy). The hydroalcoholic leaf infusions obtained from the same cultivars were analyzed for the above-mentioned compounds and for their chromatic values as well. L* chromatic component ranged from 44.22 to 49.94, a* values ranged between −5.82 and −2.50, and b* values ranged between 10.74 and 18.40. The relationships between leaf and infusion characteristics were evaluated. Chlorophyll a content ranged from 1.9 to 4.7 mg·g−1 of dry weight in leaves and from 14.8 to 35.2 mg·L−1 in infusions. Chlorophyll b ranged between 0.3 and 2.9 mg·g−1 of dry weight in leaves and between 3.4 to 12.1 mg·L−1 in infusions. Polyphenols ranged between 6.8 and 15.3 g/100 g of dry weight in leaves and between 2.6 and 13.9 g·L−1 in hydroalcoholic infusions. Tannins ranged from 140 to 516 mg·g−1 of dry weight in leaves and from 57 to 291 mg·L−1 in infusions. Significant interactions among year, growing area, season, and cultivar effects occurred for all leaf and infusion parameters, except for leaf chlorophyll a. Strong correlations between leaf and infusion composition were not found. Because infusion quality was little influenced by the studied variables, to the best of our knowledge, winter harvest of myrtle leaves for white myrtle liqueur is feasible.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
En Yu ◽  
Naoki Yamaji ◽  
Jian Feng Ma

Abstract One of the most important roles of plant roots is to take up mineral elements for their growth. Although several genes involved in root growth have been identified, the association between root structure and mineral element uptake is less investigated. In this study, we isolated a rice mutant (dice1, defective in cell elongation 1) with short-root phenotype. This mutant was characterized by partial defect in the formation of root outer cell layers. Mapping of the responsible gene revealed that the short-root phenotype in the mutant was caused by a single-nucleotide substitution of a gene encoding a membrane-anchored endo-1,4-beta-glucanase (OsGlu3). The growth of both the roots and shoots was partially recovered with increasing strength of nutrient solution and glucose in the mutant. The mutant showed a decreased uptake (normalized by root dry weight) for Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, As and Ge but increased uptake for K and Ca. The expression level of some transporter genes including OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 for Si uptake and OsNramp5 for Mn uptake was significantly decreased in the mutant compared with the wild-type (WT) rice. Furthermore, the cellular localization of OsLsi1 was altered; OsLsi1 localized at the root exodermis of the WT rice was changed to be localized to other cell layers of the mutant roots. However, this localization became normal in the presence of exogenous glucose in the mutant. Our results indicate that a normal root structure is required for maintaining the expression and localization of transporters involved in the mineral element uptake.


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