Preferential association of PBDEs and PAHs with mineral particles vs. dissolved organic carbon: Implications for groundwater contamination at e-waste sites.

Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are commonly detected contaminants at e-waste recycling sites. Against the conventional wisdom that PBDEs and PAHs are highly immobile and persist primarily in shallow surface soils, increasing evidence shows that these compounds can leach into the groundwater. Herein, we compare the leachabilities of PBDEs vs. PAHs from contaminated soils collected at an e-waste recycling site in Tianjin, China. Considerable amounts of BDE-209 (0.3-2 ng/L) and phenanthrene (42-106 ng/L), the most abundant PBDE and PAH at the site, are detected in the effluents of columns packed with contaminated soils, with the specific concentrations varying with hydrodynamic and solution chemistry conditions. Interestingly, the leaching potential of BDE-209 appears to be closely related to the release of colloidal mineral particles, whereas the leachability of phenanthrene correlates well with the concentration of dissolved organic carbon in the effluent, but showing essentially no correlation with the concentration of mineral particles. The surprisingly different trends of the leachability observed between BDE-209 and phenanthrene is counterintuitive, as PBDEs and PAHs often co-exist at e-waste recycling sites (particularly at the sites wherein incineration is being practiced) and share many similarities in terms of physicochemical properties. One possible explanation is that due to its extremely low solubility, BDE-209 predominantly exists in free-phase (i.e., as solid (nano)particles), whereas the more soluble phenanthrene is mainly sorbed to soil organic matter. Findings in this study underscore the need to better understand the mobility of highly hydrophobic organic contaminants at contaminated sites for improved risk management.

Role of urea in the retention of DON in soil by clay minerals: Analysis based upon molecular weight.

As a widely used fertilizer, urea significantly promotes the leaching of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in soils and aggravates nitrogen contamination in groundwater. Clay minerals are considered the most important factor in retaining DON. However, the effect of urea on the retention of DON with different molecular weights by clay minerals is unknown. In this study, the retention of both low-molecular weight DON (LMWD) and high-molecular weight DON (HMWD) by clay minerals in the presence of urea was investigated. For this purpose, batch adsorption and soil column leaching experiments, characterization analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out. Urea had a positive effect on the adsorption of LMWD, whereas a competitive effect existed for the adsorption of HMWD. The dominant interactions among DON, urea, and clay minerals included H-bonding, ligand exchange, and cation exchange. The urea was preferentially adsorbed on clay minerals and formed a complex, which provided more adsorption sites to LMWD and only a few to HMWD. The presence of urea increased the retention of LMWD and decreased the retention of HMWD in clay minerals. The retention capacity of LMWD increased by 6.9%-12.8%, while that of HMWD decreased by 6.7%-53.1%. These findings suggest that LMWD tended to be trapped in soils, while HMWD was prone to be leached into groundwater, which can be used to evaluate the leaching of DON from soil to groundwater.

A new insight into the straw decomposition associated with minerals: Promoting straw humification and Cd immobilization.

Organic matter (OM) derived from the decomposition of crop residues plays a key role as a sorbent for cadmium (Cd) immobilization. Few studies have explored the straw decomposition processes with the presence of minerals, and the effect of newly generated organo-mineral complexes on heavy metal adsorption. In this study, we investigated the variations in structure and composition during the rice straw decomposition with or without minerals (goethite and kaolinite), as well as the adsorption behavior and mechanisms by which straw decomposition affects Cd immobilization. The degree of humification of extracted straw organic matter was assessed using excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), while employing FTIR spectroscopy and XPS to characterize the adsorption mechanisms. The spectra analysis revealed the enrichment of highly aromatic and hydrophobic components, indicating that the degree of straw decomposition and humification were further intensified during incubation. Additionally, the existence of goethite (SG) accelerated the humification of OM. Sorption experiments revealed that the straw humification increased Cd adsorption capacity. Notably, SG exhibited significantly higher adsorption performance compared to the organic matter without minerals (RS) and the existence of kaolinite (SK). Further analysis using FT-IR spectroscopy and XPS verified that the primary mechanisms involved in Cd immobilization were complexion with -OH and -COOH, as well as the formation of Cd-π binds with aromatic C=C on the surface of solid OMs. These findings will facilitate understanding the interactions of the rice straw decomposing with soil minerals and its remediation effect on Cd-contaminated farmland.

Chromium(VI) Adsorption and Reduction in Soils under Anoxic Conditions: The Relative Roles of Iron (oxyhr)oxides, Iron(II), Organic Matters, and Microbes.

Chromium (Cr) transformation in soils mediated by iron (Fe) (oxyhr)oxides, Fe(II), organic matter (OM), and microbes is largely unexplored. Here, their coupling processes and mechanisms were investigated during anoxic incubation experiments of four Cr(VI) spiked soil samples with distinct physicochemical properties from the tropical and subtropical regions of China. It demonstrates that easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC, 55-84%) and microbes (16-48%) drive Cr(VI) reduction in soils enriched with goethite and/or hematite, among which in dryland soils microbial sulfate reduction may also be involved. In contrast, EOC (38 ± 1%), microbes (33 ± 1%), and exchangeable and poorly crystalline Fe (oxyhr)oxide-associated Fe(II) (29 ± 3%) contribute to Cr(VI) reduction in paddy soils enriched with ferrihydrite. Additionally, exogenous Fe(II) and microbes significantly enhance Cr(VI) reduction in ferrihydrite- and goethite-rich soils, and Fe(II) greatly promotes but microbes slightly inhibit Cr passivation. Both Fe(II) and microbes, especially the latter, promote OM mineralization and result in the most substantial OM loss in ferrihydrite-rich paddy soils. During the incubation, part of the ferrihydrite converts to goethite but microbes may hinder the transformation. These results provide deep insights into the geochemical fates of redox-sensitive heavy metals mediated by the complicated effects of Fe, OM, and microbes in natural and engineered environments.

Formic Acid-Intensified Photoreduction of NOx on Iron Minerals Triggers Daytime HONO Formation through Active Hydrogen.

Nitrous acid (HONO) is crucial in atmospheric chemistry as a precursor to morning peak hydroxyl radicals and significantly affects urban air quality by forming secondary pollutants, yet the mechanisms of its daytime formation is not fully understood. This study investigates the role of formic acid (HCOOH), a prevalent electron and proton donor, in the transformation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the formation of HONO on photoactive mineral dust. Exploiting hematite (Fe2O3) as an environmental indicator, we demonstrate that HCOOH significantly promotes the photoreduction of NO2 to HONO, while suppressing nitrate accumulation. This occurs through the formation of a surface ≡Fe-OOCH complex, where sunlight activates the C-H bond to generate and transfer active hydrogen, directly converting NO2 to HONO. Additionally, HCOOH can trigger the photolysis of nitrates as predeposited on Fe2O3, further increasing HONO production. These findings show that HCOOH-mediated photochemical reactions on iron minerals may contribute to elevated atmospheric HONO levels, highlighting a crucial pathway with broad effects on atmospheric chemistry and public health.

Water volumes and mulches affect plant growth, leaf nutrient status and orchard soil mineral content of sweet orange cv. Mosambi.

Day-by-day increasing irrigation water scarcity requires the application of water-saving irrigation techniques to sustain agriculture production. A two-year field investigation was conducted during 2018 to 2020 to determine the effects of various mulches and irrigation volumes on the growth, leaf chemicals and soil properties of one-year-old sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) cv. Mosambi. The study included three irrigation schedules, viz.100% ETc (I1), 80% ETc (I2), and 60% ETc (I3), and five different mulches were used, viz. without mulch, white polythene, coriander straw, dry grass and black polythene mulches, replicated thrice. Results demonstrated that drip irrigation with 100% ETc and mulching with black polythene mulch significantly increase the plant growth attributes like height of the plant (28.64%) (30.31%), rootstock girth (36.61%) (37.90%), plant canopy spread (E-W and N-S) (EW- 63.82%, NS- 63.87%) (EW- 67.56%, NS- 67.90%) and leaf area (2.4%) (2.34%). Furthermore, plant leaf chlorophyll content (2.41 mg g-1) (2.41 mg g-1) and leaf mineral content such as N (2.39%) (2.40%), P (0.16%) (0.165%), K (1.57%) (1.59%), Ca (47.34 g kg-1) (47.80 g kg-1), Mg (4.54 g kg-1) (4.57 g kg-1), Fe (120.51 g kg-1) (123.15 g kg-1) and Zn (39.00 g kg-1) (37.84 g kg-1) were noted to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in plants that received 100% (were ETc (I1) and mulching with black polythene mulch (M1) treatment. Taken together, the results suggested that treatments I1 and M1 have the potential to maximize plant growth, leaf chemicals and soil nutrients of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) cv. Mosambi plants.

Effects of mineral fertilization (NPK) on combined high temperature and ozone damage in rice.

BACKGROUND: Increasing concern has recently been highlighted regarding crop damage due to extreme weather events caused by global warming and the increased production of ground-level ozone. Several studies have investigated rice growth in response to fertilization conditions under various environmental stress conditions; however, studies on growth development in response to fertilization conditions under combined high-temperature/ozone treatment conditions are scarce. In this study, we aimed investigate the growth and physiological development of rice under combined high temperature and ozone treatment conditions and to reveal the damage-mitigation effects of NPK fertilization treatments. RESULTS: The plants were treated with varying levels of NPK [N2 (N-P-K: 9.0-4.5-4.0 kg/a), P2 (4.5-9.0-4.0 kg/a), K2 (4.5-4.5-8.0 kg/a), and control (4.5-4.5-4.0 kg/10a).] under combined high-temperature (35 ℃) and ozone (150 pb) treatment conditions. Analysis of the growth metrics, including plant height, leaf age, dry weight, and the plant height/leaf age (PH/L) ratio were revealed that combined high-temperature/ozone treatment promoted the phenological development indicated by increasing leaf age but decreased the plant height and dry weight indicating its negative effect on quantitative growth. The effects of this combined high-temperature/ozone treatment on growth were alleviated by NPK fertilization, particularly in K2 treatment but worsened in N2 treatment. Visible damage symptoms in rice leaves induced by exposure to the combined stressors was also alleviated by the K2 treatment. At the physiological level, K2 treatment reduced the expression of OsF3H2, which is associated with antioxidant activity, suggesting that potassium improved stress tolerance. Additionally, expression of genes related to abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism showed increased OsNECD (ABA synthesis) and decreased OsCYP707A3 (ABA degradation) in the K2 treatment, promoting a stronger adaptive stress response. Stomatal conductance measurements indicated a slight increase under K2 treatment, reflecting enhanced regulation of stomatal function during stress. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the potential of potassium fertilization to mitigate combined high-temperature and ozone stress in rice, suggesting it as a strategy to improve crop resilience and optimize fertilization. The findings offer insights into fertilization treatments and can guide future research on stress tolerance in crops.

Biofortification of Mushrooms: A Promising Approach.

Mushrooms exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and are widely used for medical purposes and in nutrition. Numerous bioactive metabolites are responsible for these activities. Their distribution and biological effects differ depending on the fungal species and their chemical composition. Biofortification is a sustainable process that aims to improve the nutritional profile of food crops, as most of them are low in key nutrients. This review aims to delve into the process of fungal biofortification and review the most commonly used elements and species. Through biofortification, it is possible to combat hidden hunger, which affects as many as 2 billion people worldwide. "Hidden hunger" is a phenomenon in which the organism lacks the minerals and vitamins needed for development, growth, and good overall health. Mushrooms are increasingly being considered for biofortification due to their ability to accumulate various elements (both micro- and macroelements).

Prolonged Copper Supplementation Modified Minerals in the Kidney, Liver and Blood, and Potentiated Oxidative Stress and Vasodilation of Isolated Aortic Rings in Young Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have highlighted that copper supplementation at 200% of the recommended daily dietary allowance modified vascular contraction and relaxation through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prostaglandin formation, which modified the antioxidant status of middle-aged Wistar rats. METHODS: In this study, young (1 month old) male Wistar rats (n/group = 10) received a diet supplemented with 6.45 mg copper/kg (100% of daily recommendation-Group A) for 8 weeks. The experimental group received 12.9 mg copper/kg of diet (200% of the daily recommendation-Group B). RESULTS: Experimental supplementation with 200% copper modified the copper concentration in the blood (1.21-fold, p = 0.04), liver (1.15-fold, p = 0.032), and kidneys (1.23-fold, p = 0.045), potentiated the ROS formation in the aortic rings, and enhanced the sensitivity of the aortic rings to the vasodilator acetylcholine. We observed an increased participation of nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in vascular contraction and a decreased net effect of vasodilator prostanoids derived from cyclooxygenase-2 in vascular relaxation. In rat kidneys, the concentrations of potassium (1.08-fold, p = 0.001) and iron (1.13-fold, p = 0.046) were higher, while, calcium (0.88-fold, p = 0.001) and chromium (0.77-fold, p = 0.005) concentrations were lower. In the rat liver, magnesium (1.06-fold, p = 0.012) was higher. No differences were observed in the concentrations of sodium, zinc, manganese, selenium, cobalt, molybdenum, and vanadium. The antioxidant activity of water- and lipid-soluble compounds; total antioxidant status in the blood; and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels in the heart did not change. CONCLUSIONS: In young rats, prolonged supplementation with 200% copper had a lesser effect than anticipated on oxidative stress and vascular reactivity. Detailed data on the status of trace elements and their interactions in patients of different age groups are strongly required for effective nutritional and therapeutic intervention.

Uranium Repartitioning during Microbial Driven Reductive Transformation of U(VI)-Sorbed Schwertmannite and Jarosite.

This study exposes U(VI)-sorbed schwertmannite and jarosite to biotic reductive incubations under field-relevant conditions and examines the changes in aqueous and solid-phase speciation of U, Fe, and S as well as associated microbial communities over 180 days. The chemical, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microscopic data demonstrated that the U(VI)-sorbed schwertmannite underwent a rapid reductive dissolution and solid-phase transformation to goethite, during which the surface-sorbed U(VI) was partly reduced and mostly repartitioned to monomeric U(VI)/U(IV) complexes by carboxyl and phosphoryl ligands on biomass or organic substances. Furthermore, the microbial data suggest that these processes were likely driven by the consecutive developments of fermentative and sulfate- and iron- reducing microbial communities. In contrast, the U(VI)-sorbed jarosite only stimulated the growth of some fermentative communities and underwent very limited reductive dissolution and thus, remaining in its initial state with no detectable mineralogical transformation and solid-phase U reduction/repartitioning. Accordingly, these two biotic incubations did not induce increased risk of U reliberation to the aqueous phase. These findings have important implications for understanding the interactions of schwertmannite/jarosite with microbial communities and colinked behavior and fate of U following the establishment of reducing conditions in various acidic and U-rich settings.

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) seed performance enhanced under drought stress by chitosan and minerals coating.

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) var. Saccharata is a tropical and semitropical annual cereal with low germination, poor vigor, and weak seedling establishment in the soil. In order to enhance the physical properties of sweet corn and examine the effects of seed coating on the morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of sweet corn seedlings under drought stress conditions, we conducted a factorial experiment in greenhouse conditions. Seed coating was carried out using a mixture of vermiculite (V), kaolin (K), and perlite (P) in a ratio of 3:1.5:2. The main factors of the greenhouse experiment comprised three levels of coating treatment (chitosan 0.5% + V10K2.5P5 (gr), NaAlg 1% + V10K2.5P5 (gr), and non-coated seeds as a control) along with drought stress at four levels (0, -0.3, -0.6, and -0.9 bar). In greenhouse conditions, the growth indexes of sweet corn seedlings were studied under increasing levels of drought stress. The results showed that as drought stress levels increased, certain growth indicators such as seedling emergence and seedling emergence rate, soluble protein, chlorophyll total content, nitrogen, and phosphorus content decreased. On the other hand, mean emergence, proline, potassium, soluble sugars, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide were increased. The study found that the highest seedling emergence percentage occurred in the coating treatment of chitosan 0.5% + V10K2.5P5 (gr) at all levels of drought stress. Overall, seed coating with the Chitosan 0.5% + V10K2.5P5 (gr) treatment improved the performance of sweet corn seeds and reduced the negative effects of drought stress by increasing seedling emergence and establishment.

Thermochemical Transformation of Calcium during Biomass Burning and the Effects on Postfire Aqueous Dissolution of Macronutrients.

Calcium is commonly the most abundant element in fire residues and its speciation largely determines the geochemical properties of fire residues and their effects on postfire soil chemistry. To explore the effects of biomass composition and fire conditions on ash Ca speciation, this study characterizes the speciation of Ca in charcoal and ash samples that were derived from different plant compartments and thermal conditions, using Ca K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy. Results showed that biomass contains abundant organic Ca complexes, which were mineralized into fairchildite and calcite after heating at 450 to 600 °C and then CaO, as temperature increased to 750 °C. Apatite could be an abundant Ca species in fire residues if the Ca/P molar ratio of the biomass is small (<2). The mineralization of organic Ca to the identified Ca minerals during burning was negligibly affected by the oxygen level. Calcium speciation in prescribed fire residues resembled that of biomass ash burned at 550 °C with similar Ca/P molar ratios. Batch experiments showed that macronutrients (Ca, Mg, K, and P) were differentially released, as a result of different solubility of minerals in ashes and reprecipitation of minerals. The aqueous solubility of Ca, Mg, and P decreased as pH increased from 5 to 9, while K showed no pH dependency and was almost completely soluble. Results from this study improve our understanding of the chemistry of fire residues and their geochemical behaviors, which can help evaluate the impact of fire on postfire soil properties and macronutrient cycling.

Subsurface Microbial Colonization at Mineral-Filled Veins in 2-Billion-Year-Old Mafic Rock from the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa.

Recent advances in subsurface microbiology have demonstrated the habitability of multi-million-year-old igneous rocks, despite the scarce energy supply from rock-water interactions. Given the minimal evolution coupled with exceedingly slow metabolic rates in subsurface ecosystems, spatiotemporally stable igneous rocks can sustain microbes over geological time scales. This study investigated a 2-billion-year-old mafic rock in the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa, where ultradeep drilling is being executed by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP). New procedures were successfully developed to simultaneously detect indigenous and contaminant microbial cells in a drill core sample. Precision rock sectioning coupled with infrared, fluorescence, and electron microscopy imaging of the rock section with submicron resolution revealed microbial colonization in veins filled with clay minerals. The entry and exit of microbial cells in the veins are severely limited by tight packing with clay minerals, the formation of which supplies energy sources for long-term habitability. Further microbiological characterization of drilled rock cores from the Bushveld Igneous Complex will expand the understanding of microbial evolution in deep igneous rocks over 2 billion years.

Fe(II)-Catalyzed Recrystallization Drives Phosphorus and Aluminum Release from Goethite.

Goethite often harbors impurities, such as phosphorus (P) and aluminum (Al), which are incorporated into its structure through direct substitution or coprecipitation with nanocrystalline phases. Understanding the processes that drive the release of P and Al from goethite is of paramount importance for the iron ore industry and for managing nutrient and pollutant behavior in the environment. This study investigates the impact of Fe(II)-catalyzed recrystallization on the release of P and Al from goethite. We evaluated the solubility and extractability of P and Al in suspensions of Al- and P-coprecipitated goethite, treated with 57Fe-enriched Fe(II)aq under oxygen-free conditions for 30 days at neutral pH and room temperatures. The addition of Fe(II)aq induced the recrystallization of goethite dominant initial synthetic phases (i.e., low P- and Al-containing phases) and the transformation of higher P- and/or Al-bearing starting material that was actually a mixture of goethite and minor amounts of lepidocrocite and feroxyhyte. Our results reveal that Fe(II)-catalyzed mineral and structural evolution led to the repartitioning of P and, to a lesser extent, Al throughout the crystal structure, mineral surface, and aqueous solution. Following a 30 day reaction with Fe(II)aq, we extracted approximately 80, 68.8, 73.9, and 83.2% of P from P-only, low, medium, and high P + Al goethite, respectively. Additionally, we observed total Al removals of approximately 17, 27, and 25% from low, medium, and high P + Al goethite, respectively. The results demonstrate that treating both P-only and P + Al goethite with Fe(II) at room temperature, followed by a 24 h extraction using 1 M NaOH, significantly enhances the overall extractability of P and Al, including both aqueous and surface-adsorbed fractions, compared to Fe(II)-free controls. These findings advance our understanding of the recrystallization process and impurity substitution in goethite, offering promising avenues for developing new environmentally friendly methods to extract P and other impurities from goethitic iron ores at lower temperatures.

Investigating in vitro anticholinergic potential (anti-AChE and anti-BuChE) of Chaenomeles leaves extracts and its phytochemicals including chlorophylls, carotenoids and minerals.

The goal of this work was to evaluate the chemical constitution and health-promoting potential of 12 varieties of Chaenomeles × superba, speciosa and japonica leaves. Carotenoids, chlorophylls, triterpenes, sugars, polyols and acids were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using high pressure liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), while the mineral profile was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Moreover, the in vitro anticholinergic potential (inhibition of acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) and butyryl-cholinesterase (BuChE)) and antioxidant (ABTS, FRAP, ORAC) capacity were evaluated. For the first time in Chaenomeles genotypes 26 carotenoid derivatives and 22 chlorophyll derivatives were identified. Some varieties contained high amounts of carotenoids and chlorophylls (Ch. × superba 'Colour Trail', 'Nicoline', 'Pink Lady', 'Texas Scarlet'), and triterpenes (Ch. speciosa 'Simonii', 'Rubra', and Ch. × superba 'Colour Trail', 'Nicoline') and showed high ORAC antioxidant (Ch. × superba 'Pink Lady' and Ch. speciosa 'Simonii') and anticholinergic (Ch. speciosa species) activity. The studied leaves also contained sugars (3.1 to 16.5 mg/100 g), organic acids (3.9-8.1 g/100 g), and minerals (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn). In conclusion, Chaenomeles leaves show potential as a new source for the production of nutraceuticals, as well as for medical and/or cosmetic purposes.

Deciphering the Intricate Control of Minerals on Deep Soil Carbon Stability and Persistence in Alaskan Permafrost.

Understanding the fate of organic carbon in thawed permafrost is crucial for predicting climate feedback. While minerals and microbial necromass are known to play crucial roles in the long-term stability of organic carbon in subsoils, their exact influence on carbon persistence in Arctic permafrost remains uncertain. Our study, combining radiocarbon dating and biomarker analyses, showed that soil organic carbon in Alaskan permafrost had millennial-scale radiocarbon ages and contained only 10%-15% microbial necromass carbon, significantly lower than the global average of ~30%-60%. This ancient carbon exhibited a weak correlation with reactive minerals but a stronger correlation with mineral weathering (reactive iron to total iron ratio). Peroxidase activity displayed a high correlation coefficient (p < 10-6) with Δ14C and δ13C, indicating its strong predictive power for carbon persistence. Further, a positive correlation between peroxidase activity and polysaccharides indicates that increased peroxidase activity may promote the protection of plant residues, potentially by fostering the formation of mineral-organic associations. This protective role of mineral surfaces on biopolymers was further supported by examining 1451 synchrotron radiation infrared spectra from soil aggregates, which revealed a strong correlation between mineral OH groups and organic functional groups at the submicron scale. An incubation experiment revealed that increased moisture contents, particularly within the 0%-40% range, significantly elevated peroxidase activity, suggesting that ancient carbon in permafrost soils is vulnerable to moisture-induced destabilization. Collectively, this study offers mechanistic insights into the persistence of carbon in thawed permafrost soils, essential for refining permafrost carbon-climate feedbacks.

MicroED: Unveiling the Structural Chemistry of Plant Biomineralisation.

Plants are able to produce various types of crystals through metabolic processes, serving functions ranging from herbivore deterrence to photosynthetic efficiency. However, the structural analysis of these crystals has remained challenging due to their small and often imperfect nature, which renders traditional X-ray diffraction techniques unsuitable. This study explores the use of Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (microED) as a novel method for the structural analysis of plant-derived microcrystals, focusing on Armeria maritima (Milld.), a halophytic plant known for its biomineralisation capabilities. In this study, A. maritima plants were cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions with exposure to cadmium and thallium to induce the formation of crystalline deposits on their leaf surfaces. These deposits were analysed using microED, revealing the presence of sodium chloride (halite), sodium sulphate (thénardite), and calcium sulphate dihydrate (gypsum). Our findings highlight the potential of microED as a versatile tool in plant science, capable of providing detailed structural insights into biomineralisation processes, even from minimal and imperfect crystalline samples. The application of microED in this context not only advances the present understanding of A. maritima's adaptation to saline environments but also opens new avenues for exploring the structural chemistry of biomineralisation in other plant species. Our study advocates for the broader adoption of microED in botanical research, especially when dealing with challenging crystallographic problems.

Nutritional and Functional Composition of Barley Varieties From Legambo District, Ethiopia.

In agriculture, barley holds significant importance as a vital crop with multiple uses. It provides a variety of advantages, including weed suppression, erosion management, nutrient recycling, and improved soil structure. The nutritional and functional composition of barley varieties' samples were analyzed using AOAC methods. The moisture content of the samples ranged from 7.3% to 12.8%, while the ash content varied from 0.5% to 13%. The crude fiber content ranged from 0.5% to 1.5%, and the crude protein content ranged from 0.73% to 3.4%. Furthermore, the crude fat content ranged from 0.11% to 0.8%. The carbohydrate content of the samples were found to be between 69.5% and 82.5%, with an energy value ranging from 338.2 to 382.02 kcal/100 g. In terms of mineral content, the samples exhibited varying levels of calcium (310-670 mg/100 g), iron (34.9-65 mg/100 g), zinc (8.9-16 mg/100 g), and magnesium (Mg) (520-1122 mg/100 g). In addition, the range of the total phenolic content was 1.2 to 3.1 mg/100 g, while the range of the total flavonoid content was 0.41 to 0.55 mg/100 g. Therefore, barley, a selenium-rich food, acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from free radical damage, reducing inflammation, and reducing the risk of chronic illnesses. The highest content of stearic acid (3.4 g/100 g) followed by myristic acid (2.6 g/100 g) were found in barley varieties. Barley amino acids are essential nutrients for various biological processes, muscle repair, immunological system function, neurotransmitter generation, and detoxification.

Food Supplements Containing Iron-Comparison of Actual Content with Declared Content and Health Consequences.

The use of food supplements (FSs) is becoming an increasingly common trend observed in society. This is related to frequently observed nutritional deficiencies and the inability to provide sufficient amounts of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, through the diet. The ease of registering FSs sometimes results in low-quality preparations on the market. Therefore, our research aimed to assess the content of one of the most popular trace element components, iron (Fe), in FSs available in Poland. This study covered 109 preparations purchased from stationary pharmacies and online pharmacies. The following criteria were used to characterize FSs in the data analysis: the Fe content declared by the manufacturer, pharmaceutical form, type of Fe salt, manufacturer's country of origin, contents of other trace elements or minerals, presence of additional ingredients, age of the target group, and addition of vitamins B2, B6, B12, and C. The Fe content was quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry after mineralization using microwaves. It was demonstrated that 69.73% of the preparations contained more Fe than the value declared by the manufacturer (and corrected for permissible deviations), 11.00% contained less Fe than declared, and only 19.27% were within the norm. In summary, the FS market requires the improvement of manufacturing processes and increased control, which should translate into patient safety.

Levels of substitution of inorganic mineral to amino acids complexed minerals on old laying hens.

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the impact of replacing inorganic mineral sources (IM) with amino acid complexed minerals (AACM) in laying hens' diets on performance, egg quality, bone, and intestinal health. The effects of 4 different diets with varying levels of AACM substitution were evaluated on 400 Lohmann White hens aged 78-98 weeks. The control diet contained only IM sources at levels of 60, 60, 7, 40, 0.2, and 2 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Se, and I, respectively. The other treatments were made by a total substitution of IM with AACM, as follows: AACM70-70% of IM levels; AACM50-50% of IM levels; and AACM40-40% of IM levels. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts and Dunnett's test were used to determine their impact (P < 0.05). The treatment AACM40 improved egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). Hens that received AACM40 also produced the thickest eggshells and better tibial bone density (P < 0.01). Histomorphometry analyses demonstrated significant effects of AACM treatments. The optimal supplementation levels of 24, 24, 2.8, 16, 0.08, and 0.8 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Se, and I, respectively.