Inhibition of microelement accumulation and disorder of saccharide and amino acid metabolism explain rice grain empty under dimethylarsinic acid stress.

KEY MESSAGE: Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed an intensification of energy metabolism in rice grains under DMA stress, possibly causing the consumption of sugars or non-sugars and the development of unfilled grains Excessive dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) causes rice straighthead disease, a physiological disorder typically with erect panicle due to empty grain at maturity. Although the toxicity of DMA and its uptake and transport in rice are well recognized, the underlying mechanism of unfilled grains remains unclear. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted using a susceptible variety (Ruanhuayou1179, RHY) and a resistant one (Nanjingxiangzhan, NJXZ) via the metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches to explore the mechanisms of empty grains in diseased rice under DMA stress. The results demonstrate an increase in total and methylated As in grains of RHY and NJXZ under DMA addition, with RHY containing higher levels of DMA. DMA addition increased the soluble sugar content in grains of RHY and NJXZ by 17.1% and 14.3% compared to the control, respectively, but significantly reduced the levels of amino acid, soluble protein, and starch. The decrease of grain Zn and B contents was also observed, and inadequate Zn might be a key factor limiting rice grain yield under DMA stress. Notably, DMA addition altered the expression levels of genes involved in the transport of sugar, amino acids, nitrates/peptides, and mineral ions. In sugar and amino acid metabolism, the reduction of metabolites and the upregulated expression of genes reflect positive regulation at the level of energy metabolism, implying that the reduction of grain starch and proteins might be ascribed to generate sufficient energy to resist the stress. This study provides a useful reference for understanding the molecular mechanism of grain emptying under DMA stress.

Effect of lactation on the distribution of mineral elements in goat milk.

The distribution of mineral elements in milk is crucial for their absorption and utilization, however, there has been limited attention given to the status of mineral elements in goat milk. In this study, goat milk was collected at 4 lactation periods (1-3, 90, 150, 240 d) and separated into 4 fractions (fat, casein, whey, and aqueous phase). The concentrations of Mg, Ca, Na, K, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Mo, and Cr in 4 fractions were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer. Our findings reveal that Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Cr exhibit the highest levels in casein, while Mo demonstrates the highest content in whey. Additionally, Mg, Na, K, and Ni display the highest concentrations in the aqueous phase. Specifically, the contents of Ca, Cu and Fe in casein decrease from 1-3 to 150 d of lactation but increase from 150 to 240 d of lactation. Furthermore, the content of Mg in the aqueous phase decreases from 1-3 to 90 d of lactation but increases from 90 to 240 d of lactation. The content of Na and K in the aqueous phase decreases from 1-3 to 150 d of lactation. Notably, the content of Mo in whey increases from 1-3 to 150 d of lactation and decreases from 150 to 240 d. Our research contributes to the advancement of understanding the bioavailability of mineral elements in goat milk.

Quality Evaluation of Asparagus officinalis by Profile of Amino Acids and Mineral Elements in Different Parts Combined with Chemometrics Methods.

Asparagus officinalis has a homologous value in medicine and vegetables. Its immature stem, commonly called asparagus, is a central edible part. Asparagus skin and leaf also contain rich nutrients. However, these parts are often discarded. This study investigated amino acid and mineral elements in immature stem, skinless asparagus, asparagus skin, and leaf. Their quality was further evaluated by chemometrics methods such as principal component analysis and neural network analysis. The results showed amino acid content was high in immature stem and skinless asparagus and low in leaf, whereas the mineral elements were in four parts. Quality evaluation results showed four parts were divided into three grades. Immature stem and skinless asparagus were grouped into cluster 1 with the best quality as high-quality raw materials in food and health-care products. Meanwhile, three AA (Cys, His, Arg) and two mineral elements (Na, Cr) were identified as quality evaluation iconic substances.

The effects of different doses of lanthanum-modified bentonite in combination with a submerged macrophyte (Vallisneria denseserrulata) on phosphorus inactivation and macrophyte growth: A mesocosm study.

The combination of chemical phosphorus (P) inactivation and submerged macrophyte transplantation has been widely used in lake restoration as it yields stronger effects than when applying either method alone. However, the dose effect of chemical materials on P inactivation when used in combination with submerged macrophytes and the influences of the chemicals used on the submerged macrophytes growth remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated P inactivation in both the water column and the sediment, and the responses of submerged macrophytes to Lanthanum modified bentonite (LMB) in an outdoor mesocosm experiment where Vallisneria denseserrulata were transplanted into all mesocosms and LMB was added at four dosage levels, respectively: control (LMB-free), low dosage (570 g m-2), middle dosage (1140 g m-2), and high dosage (2280 g m-2). The results showed that the combination of LMB dosage and V. denseserrulata reduced TP in the water column by 32%-38% compared to V. denseserrulata alone, while no significant difference was observed among the three LMB treatments. Porewater soluble reactive P, two-dimensional diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT)-labile P concentrations, and P transformation in the 0-1 cm sediment layer exhibited similar trends along the LMB dosage gradient. Besides, LMB inhibited plant growth and reduced the uptake of mineral elements (i.e., calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium) in a dosage-dependent manner with LMB. LMB may reduce plant growth by creating a P deficiency risk for new ramets and by interfering with the uptake of mineral elements. Considering both the dose effect of LMB on P inactivation and negative effect on macrophyte growth, we suggest a "small dosage, frequent application" method for LMB application to be used in lake restoration aiming to recover submerged macrophytes and clear water conditions.

Nutrient accumulation and transcriptome patterns during grain development in rice.

Rice is an important source of calories and mineral nutrients for more than half of the world's population. The accumulation of essential and toxic mineral elements in rice grain affects its nutritional quality and safety. However, the patterns and processes by which different elements progressively accumulate during grain filling remain largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated temporal changes in dry matter, elemental concentrations, and the transcriptome in the grain of field-grown rice. We also investigated the effects of seed setting rate and the position of the grain within the rice panicle on element accumulation. Three different patterns of accumulation were observed: (i) elements including K, Mn, B, and Ca showed an early accumulation pattern; (ii) dry matter and elements including N, P, S, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mo, As, and Cd showed a mid accumulation pattern; and (iii) elements such as Fe showed a gradual increase pattern. These different accumulation patterns can be explained by the differences in the biogeochemical behavior of the various elements in the soil, as well as differences in plant nutrient redistribution, gene expression, and the sink-source relationship. These results improve our knowledge of the dynamics of elemental accumulation in rice grain and are helpful for identification of functional genes mediating the translocation of elements to grain.

Elemental profiles in distant tissues during tumor progression.

BACKGROUND: Essential elements have functions in tumor progression by promoting protumoral cellular processes, such as proliferation, and migration, among others. Obtaining an understanding of how these elements relate to tumor progression processes is of great importance for research. Elemental profile studies in distant tissues, which can be modulated by tumor cells to promote metastasis, have not been sufficiently investigated. The main goal of this study is to evaluate multielemental distribution during tumor progression, focusing on tumor tissue and distant tissues that may be affected. METHODS: Tumor progression in vivo was simulated by inoculating C57BL/6 mice with Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells. Samples of the primary tumor and distant tissues were collected during 5 weeks of tumor progression for the control and experimental (tumor-bearing) groups. The biological samples were analyzed using the synchrotron radiation X-Ray fluorescence technique. Data on the concentration of P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in the samples were obtained and statistically analyzed to evaluate the distribution of the elements during tumor progression in the primary tumor as well as distant tissues. RESULTS: It was possible to observe significant changes in the concentrations' distribution of P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Cu in distant tissues caused by the presence of tumor cells. It was also possible to detect a greater similarity between tumor tissue (which has the lung as tissue of origin) and a tissue of non-origin, such as the liver, which is an unprecedented result. Moreover, changes in the distributions of concentrations were detected and studied over time for the different tissues analyzed, such as primary tumor, liver and lung, in Control and Tumor groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among other results, this paper could explore the modulation of distant tissues caused by the presence of a primary tumor. This could be achieved by the evaluation of several elements of known biological importance allowing the study of different biological processes involved in cancer. The role of essential elements as modulators of the tumor microenvironment is a relevant aspect of tumor progression and this work is a contribution to the field of tumoral metallomics.

Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Growth, Development, and Flavonoid Synthesis in Ginkgo biloba.

Ginkgo biloba is a highly valuable medicinal plant known for its rich secondary metabolites, including flavonoids. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) can be used as nanofertilizers and nano-growth regulators to promote plant growth and development. However, little is known about the effects of ZnO-NPs on flavonoids in G. biloba. In this study, G. biloba was treated with different concentrations of ZnO-NPs (25, 50, 100 mg/L), and it was found that 25 mg/L of ZnO-NPs enhanced G. biloba fresh weight, dry weight, zinc content, and flavonoids, while 50 and 100 mg/L had an inhibitory effect on plant growth. Furthermore, quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR revealed that the increased total flavonoids and flavonols were mainly due to the promotion of the expression of flavonol structural genes such as GbF3H, GbF3'H, and GbFLS. Additionally, when the GbF3H gene was overexpressed in tobacco and G. biloba calli, an increase in total flavonoid content was observed. These findings indicate that 25 mg/L of ZnO-NPs play a crucial role in G. biloba growth and the accumulation of flavonoids, which can potentially promote the yield and quality of G. biloba in production.

Appropriate Macronutrients or Mineral Elements Are Beneficial to Improve Depression and Reduce the Risk of Depression.

Depression is a common mental disorder that seriously affects the quality of life and leads to an increasing global suicide rate. Macro, micro, and trace elements are the main components that maintain normal physiological functions of the brain. Depression is manifested in abnormal brain functions, which are considered to be tightly related to the imbalance of elements. Elements associated with depression include glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and mineral elements such as lithium, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and selenium. To explore the relationship between these elements and depression, the main literature in the last decade was mainly searched and summarized on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and other electronic databases with the keywords "depression, sugar, fat, protein, lithium, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and selenium". These elements aggravate or alleviate depression by regulating a series of physiological processes, including the transmission of neural signals, inflammation, oxidative stress, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity, which thus affect the expression or activity of physiological components such as neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, receptors, cytokines, and ion-binding proteins in the body. For example, excessive fat intake can lead to depression, with possible mechanisms including inflammation, increased oxidative stress, reduced synaptic plasticity, and decreased expression of 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD-95), etc. Supplementing mineral elements, such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, or lithium as a psychotropic medication is mostly used as an auxiliary method to improve depression with other antidepressants. In general, appropriate nutritional elements are essential to treat depression and prevent the risk of depression.

[Content analysis and quality evaluation of main active components and mineral elements of Cynomorium songaricum in different habitats].

To clarify the content characteristics of the main active components and mineral elements of Cynomorium songaricum under different habitat conditions, and further explore the relationship between the quality of C. songaricum and habitats, this study took C. songaricum from 25 different habitats in China as the research object, and measured the contents of 8 main active components and 12 mineral elements separately. Diversity analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were carried out. The results showed that the genetic diversity of total flavonoids, ursolic acid, ether extract, potassium(K), phosphorus(P) and zinc(Zn) in C. songaricum was high. The coefficient of variation of crude polysaccharide, ether extract, gallic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, catechin, epicatechin, calcium(Ca), sodium(Na), magnesium(Mg), sulfur(S), iron(Fe), manganese(Mn), selenium(Se) and nickel(Ni) were all over 36%, indicating that the quality of C. songaricum was significantly affected by habitats. There were strong synergistic and weak antagonistic effects among the contents of the 8 active components, and complex antagonistic and synergistic effects among the contents of the 12 mineral elements. Principal component analysis revealed that crude polysaccharide, ursolic acid, catechin, epicatechin and total flavonoids could be used as the characteristic components to evaluate the quality of C. songaricum, and Na, copper(Cu), Mn and Ni were the characteristic elements to evaluate the quality of C. songaricum. In cluster ana-lysis, the second group with the main active components as cluster center had better quality in terms of the content of active substances, and the second group with the mineral elements as cluster center had higher utilization potential in the exploitation of mineral elements. This study could provide a basis for resource evaluation and breeding of excellent varieties of C. songaricum in different habitats, and provide a reference for cultivation and identification of C. songaricum.

Genome-wide association analysis discovered new loci and candidate genes associated with low-phosphorus tolerance based on shoot mineral elements concentrations in soybean.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the major limitations for soybean production. Moreover, it has been well reported P and other mineral elements function interdependently or antagonistically to control nutrients homeostasis in plants. Thus, it is urgently needed to understand the genetic mechanism of the accumulation of mineral elements in response to low-P stress. In this study, to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate genes controlling the accumulation of mineral elements suffering low-P stress in seedling stage of soybean plants, we measured concentrations of mineral elements, including P, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and Ca, in shoots of 211 soybean accessions under normal phosphorus (+P) and low phosphorus (-P) conditions in two hydroponic experiments. And genome-wide association study (GWAS) using high density NJAU 355K SoySNP array and concentrations of five of these mineral elements except P was performed. A total of 36 SNPs distributed on 13 chromosomes were identified to be significantly associated with low-P tolerance, and nine SNPs on chromosome 10 formed a SNP cluster. Meanwhile, the candidate gene GmFeB1 was found to serve as a negative regulator element involved in soybean P metabolism and the haplotype1 (Hap1) of GmFeB1 showed significantly higher shoot Fe concentration under -P condition than that of Hap2. In summary, we uncover 36 SNPs significantly associated with shoot mineral elements concentrations under different P conditions and a soybean low-P related gene GmFeB1, which will provide additional genetic information for soybean low-P tolerance and new gene resources for P-efficient soybean varieties breeding.

Major Chemical Compounds and Mineral Elements of Astragalus membranaceus Cultivated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with Different Planting Densities.

Astragalus membranaceus is a well-known herb that is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, its commercial development has been limited due to wild resource shortages. This study was conducted in 2018 and 2019 to assess the effect of planting density on the major chemical compounds and mineral elements and biomass yield of A. membranaceus. The biomass yield (7,700.956 kg) reached the maximum at M2 planting density in 2018. In 2019, astragaloside IV reached its maximum concentration (0.117 %) at M2 group, which was significantly different from the concentrations obtained at the other groups. Calycosin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside (0.062 %) reach its maximum concentration in 2019 at M5, but not significant with M2. The concentration of major chemical compounds among the five groups in 2018 and 2019 all conformed to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards. In 2018, the mineral elements (Al, Ba, Fe, Li and Mn) content was higher at M2 than other groups. However, a general decrease in the mineral elements content was observed at M2 group in 2019. Enrichment analysis demonstrated that the enrichment capacity was highest for phosphorus. In conclusion, according to the TOPSIS results, M2 planting density was recommended as the optimal application. For optimal economic benefits, A. membranaceus should be harvested when it is 2 years old.

Skin Minerals: Key Roles of Inorganic Elements in Skin Physiological Functions.

As odd as it may seem at first glance, minerals, it is what we are all about…or nearly. Although life on Earth is carbon-based, several other elements present in the planet's crust are involved in and often indispensable for functioning of living organisms. Many ions are essential, and others show supportive and accessory qualities. They are operative in the skin, supporting specific processes related to the particular situation of this organ at the interface with the environment. Skin bioenergetics, redox balance, epidermal barrier function, and dermal remodeling are amongst crucial activities guided by or taking advantage of mineral elements. Skin regenerative processes and skin ageing can be positively impacted by adequate accessibility, distribution, and balance of inorganic ions.

Seeds as Potential Sources of Phenolic Compounds and Minerals for the Indian Population.

Seeds are major sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds for human beings. In this work, the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of 155 Indian seeds (belonging to 49 families) are reported. Moisture and ash were measured with reference protocols from AOAC; total polyphenols and flavonoids were measured with spectrophotometric methods after extraction with organic solvents, and mineral elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometry. Total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and mineral contents (Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, S, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were found to vary in the ranges 182−5000, 110−4465 and 687−7904 mg/100 g (DW), respectively. Noticeably, polyphenol contents higher than 2750 mg/100 g were observed in 18 seeds. In addition, mineral contents >5000 mg/100 g were detected in the seeds from Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Commiphora wightii, Parkia javanica, Putranjiva roxburghii, Santalum album and Strychnos potatorum. Botanical and taxonomical variations in the proximate characteristics of the examined seeds are also discussed.

The Content of Phenolic Compounds and Mineral Elements in Edible Nuts.

Edible nuts are an important component of a healthy diet, and their frequent consumption has beneficial impact on human health, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, various factors, including cultivar, climate, soil characteristic, storage and treatment have influence on the chemical composition of nuts. Therefore, nine tree nut types and peanuts commonly available on Polish market were evaluated for phenolic profile and mineral elements content. The concentration of individual phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, aromatic acids and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) was determined by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography, while the content of macro-elements and trace minerals was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The phenolic profile of analyzed nuts substantially varied depending on the type of nut. The highest total content of all analyzed flavonoids was determined in walnuts (114.861 µg/g), while the lowest in almonds (1.717 µg/g). In turn, the highest total content of all tested aromatic acid was determined in pecans (33.743 µg/g), and the lowest in almonds (0.096 µg/g). Epicatechin and cinnamic acid were detected in the highest concentration in tested nuts. Moreover, in examined nuts (except walnuts and Brazil nuts), the presence of CAPE was confirmed. The tested nuts were also characterized by wide variation in element concentrations. Almonds contained high concentration of macro-elements (13,111.60 µg/g), while high content of trace elements was determined in pine nuts (192.79 µg/g). The obtained results indicate that the tested nuts are characterized by a significant diversity in the content of both phenolic compounds and minerals. However, all types of nuts, apart from the well-known source of fatty acids, are a rich source of various components with beneficial effect on human health.

Nutritional Attributes and Phenolic Composition of Flower and Bud of Sophora japonica L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Sophora japonica L. (SJL) and Robinia pseudoacacia L. (RPL) are widely cultivated in China. However, the utilization of their main by-products are limited due to a lack of comprehensive nutritional attributes. Herein, the proximate composition, mineral elements, fatty acids, amino acids, monosaccharides, and phenolics were analyzed to investigate the nutritional attributes of SJL and RPL. Dietary fiber was the main ingredient in SJL and RPL, followed by protein and lipids. The content of Fe in SJL and RPL was highest, especially in flowers of SJL, reaching about 1179.51 mg/kg. The total unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 89.67% of the bud of SJL. Meanwhile, the essential amino acids contents of the flower and bud of SJL and RPL accounted for 35.95-40.59% of total amino acids. The flower of SJL (373.75 mg/g) exhibited the most abundant monosaccharides. Meanwhile, the total phenolics and flavonoid contents in the buds of SJL and RPL were significantly higher than that of the flower, implying the buds possessed better biological activity. Moreover, the bud of SJL possessed the most abundant phenolics. The results provided a reference for the development of functional food derived from SJL and RPL.

Multielement authentication of apples from the cold highlands in southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Half of all apple production worldwide comes from China. However, the geographic authentication of Chinese apples has not been well studied. We highlight the multi-element-based geographical discrimination of apples from the southwest cold highlands (SCH) of China. 565 samples from the SCH (138) and others (427) were obtained, and the content of fifteen elements were applied to construct models for discrimination. RESULTS: The SCH apples from 2017 to 2019 had higher concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cr, Cd, Se, Pb, and Fe, but lower concentrations of Na, B, Ni, and P. With sufficient training, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) discriminated the SCH, and the testing accuracy averaged 92.5% and 92.2%. Nonlinear discrimination models were more suitable than the linear models. Optimized random forest analysis was the model with the best fit, and with averaged training and testing it obtained a level of accuracy of 98.2% and 98.5%. CONCLUSION: The multielement-based discrimination of SCH apples could aid further studies of geographical origins. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cardboard supplementation on the growth and nutritional content of black solider fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and resulting frass.

A 10-day trial was conducted to compare the production and fatty acid composition of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) when grown without or with cardboard supplementation at 2.2% on a dry weight basis. The final biomass of BSFL or waste reduction was not significantly impacted by cardboard. The fatty acids of C10 and C22:6n-3 were significantly higher in BSFL in the cardboard treatment, but crude lipid significantly reduced. The leftover BSFL frass had significantly higher sulfur, zinc, manganese and boron at the expense of lower nitrogen (91.2% versus 8.73% in control versus cardboard, respectively). These preliminary results appear to indicate that the growth and nutritional value of BSFL were not adversely compromised while the frass can be enhanced by adding relatively small amounts (2.2%) of cardboard. Further studies could be conducted to investigate the implications of higher inclusion levels.

[Content of mineral elements in different Artemisia argyi germplasms and their relationship with quality properties].

To clarify the content characteristics of mineral elements in different Artemisia argyi germplasm resources and their relationship with the quality properties of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, this study measured the content of 10 mineral elements including nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), potassium(K), calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), aluminum(Al), manganese(Mn), iron(Fe), copper(Cu), and zinc(Zn) in 100 Artemisia argyi germplasm samples. Besides, their relationship with the quality properties of Artemisiae Argyi Folium was explored by correlation analysis, path analysis, and cluster analysis. The results demonstrated that the variation coefficient of the 10 mineral elements in Artemisiae Argyi Folium ranged from 12.23% to 64.38%, and the genetic diversity index from 0.97 to 3.09. The genetic diversities of N, P, and Zn were obvious. As revealed by the correlation analysis, N, P, and K showed strong positive correlations with each other. Except that Mg and Al were negatively correlated, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn were positively correlated. The correlation analysis of mineral elements with the quality properties of Artemisiae Argyi Folium proved the significant correlations of 17 pairs of characters. According to the path analysis, P, K, Ca, and Mn greatly affected the yield of Artemisiae Argyi Folium, P, K, and Mg the output rate of moxa, N, P, and K the content of total volatile oil, P and K the content of eucalyptol, and P, K, and Ca the content of eupatilin. The 100 germplasm samples were clustered into three groups. Specifically, in cluster Ⅰ, the enrichment capacity of P, K, and Mg elements was strong, and the comprehensive properties of mineral elements were better, implying good development potential. Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn elements in cluster Ⅱ and N and Al in cluster Ⅲ displayed strong enrichment capacities. This study has provided new ideas for resource evaluation and variety breeding of A. argyi and also reference for fertilizer application.

[Comparison and health risk assessment of mineral elements in stems and leaves of Dendrobium officinale cultivated with conventional method and mycorrhizal fungi].

This study aims to analyze the variation of the content of mineral elements in stems and leaves of Dendrobium officinale cultivated with conventional method and mycorrhizal fungi, which is expected to lay a basis for safety of stems and leaves of D. officinale. A total of 7 samples from Jiangsu, Fujian, Shanghai, and Zhejiang were collected, which were then cultivated with conventional method and mycorrhizal fungi, separately. The content of 17 mineral elements in stems and leaves was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS), and the content changes of the mineral elements were analyzed. The health risks of Pb, Cd, Hg, and As in stems were assessed by target hazard quotient(THQ). The results showed that the content of polluting elements in stems and leaves of D. officinale was low, and the content in the plants cultivated with mycorrhizal fungi was reduced. The content of K, Ca, Mg, and P was high in stems and leaves of the species, suggesting that cultivation with mycorrhizal fungi improved the content of other elements irregularly. According to the THQ, the safety risk of stems of D. officinale cultivated with either conventional method or mycorrhizal fungi was low, particularly the D. officinale cultivated mycorrhizal fungi. The results indicated that cultivation with mycorrhizal fungi influenced the element content in stems and leaves of D. officinale. It is necessary to study the culture substrate, processing technology, and the mechanism of the increase or decrease in mineral elements of D. officinale in the future.

Identification of novel genomic regions associated with nine mineral elements in Chinese winter wheat grain.

BACKGROUND: Mineral elements are important for maintaining good human health besides heavy metals. Mining genes that control mineral elements are paramount for improving their accumulation in the wheat grain. Although previous studies have reported some loci for beneficial trace elements, they have mainly focused on Zn and Fe content. However, little information is available regarding the genetic loci differences in dissecting synchronous accumulation of multiple mineral elements in wheat grains, including beneficial and heavy elements. Therefore, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on 205 wheat accessions with 24,355 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify important loci and candidate genes for controlling Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Cu, Mn, Cd, As, and Pb accumulation in wheat grains. RESULTS: A total of 101 marker-trait associations (MTAs) (P < 10-5) loci affecting the content of nine mineral elements was identified on chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5D, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 7D. Among these, 17 major MTAs loci for the nine mineral elements were located, and four MTAs loci (P < 10-5) were found on chromosomes 1B, 6B, 7B, and 7D. Eight multi-effect MTAs loci were detected that are responsible for the control of more than one trait, mainly distributed on chromosomes 3B, 7B, and 5A. Furthermore, sixteen candidate genes controlling Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Cd, and Pb were predicted, whose functions were primarily related to ion binding, including metals, Fe, Ca, Cu, Mg, and Zn, ATP binding, ATPase activity, DNA binding, RNA binding, and protein kinase activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated the existence of gene interactions among mineral elements based on multi-effect MTAs loci and candidate genes. Meanwhile this study provided new insights into the genetic control of mineral element concentrations, and the important loci and genes identified may contribute to the rapid development of beneficial mineral elements and a reduced content of harmful heavy metals in wheat grain.