Essential nutrient element profiles in rice types: a risk–benefit assessment including inorganic arsenic

Rice is consumed by nearly half of the global population and a significant source of energy and nutrients. However, rice consumption can also be a significant pathway of inorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure, thus requiring a risk–benefit assessment. This study assessed nutrient element (NE) densities in fifty-five rice types (white, brown and wild rice) marketed in the UK. Densities of essential NE were used to rank rice types in meeting daily NE targets under different consumption scenarios through a newly developed optimisation approach. Using iAs data from these rice types, we assessed the margin of exposure (MOE) for low (the UK) and high (Bangladesh) rice intake scenarios. Our results showed that brown and wild rice are significantly higher in many NE and significantly contribute to dietary reference value (DRV). Our modelling showed that switching to brown or wild rice could increase the intake of several essential nutrients by up to eight times that of white rice. Using rice consumption data for mid-to-high-consumption countries, we estimate that brown rice could provide 100 % adult DRV for Fe, Mg, Cr, P and Mo, and substantial contributions for Zn, Se and K. Our results show that the amount of rice primarily determines risk from iAs consumed rather than the type of rice. Therefore, switching from white to brown or wild rice could be beneficial, provided iAs concentration in rice is within the recommended limits.

Use of phytoremediation for pollution removal of hexavalent chromium-contaminated acid agricultural soils

<p>Chromium is a common heavy metal pollutant found in industrial wastewaters which may pollute agricultural soils through groundwater and watering. Phytoremediation is an economical and highly applicable method for removal of pollutants from agricultural soils. This research was carried out for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) contamination from the soil with the phytoremediation method. For this purpose, only 30 mg kg-1 hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI) as Chromium CrO3, only 10 mL bacteria Rhodobacter capsulatus DSM1710 and chromium plus bacteria applied to the pots and Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) grown in the pots. At the end of experiment the results showed that side branching, leaf width, plant dry weights were the highest agro-morphological traits when bacteria were applied to chromium polluted soil. Some macro and micro nutrient elements which are essential for plant nutrition were analyzed (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn). Among them, N, P, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were found to be statistically significant at the level of 5%. The Cr content of Malabar spinach in control soil was 0.31mgkg-1, but it was 2.33mgkg-1 when the soil was contaminated with Cr at the end of experiment. Moreover, when bacteria were additionally applied the Cr content increased to 4.02 mgkg-1 of Malabar spinach. Chromium pollution antagonistically affected both some nutrient element (P, K, Ca; Mg) and some heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn) in the soil. This study shows that phytoremediation can be used to remove the soil pollution caused by containing high hexavalent chromium. For this reason, the nitrogen fixing bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus and the hyperaccumulator Malabar spinach plant can be used. It is the first study where Malabar spinach was used a hyperaccumulator plant for chromium pollution in the soils.</p>

Research development in tumor therapy: role of iron-related nanoparticles

As an essential nutrient element for life, iron’s metabolic balance in body tissues is crucial to sustaining normal physiological functions, and it is inextricably related to tumors. Nanotechnology is gaining much attention around the world for cancer treatment. Considering the critical role of iron metabolism, nanocarriers’ toxicity and biocompatibility, novel nanomaterials based on the biochemical activity of iron and the regulatory proteins of iron homeostasis-metabolism show broad application prospects in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the role of iron-related nanocarriers for tumor therapy, such as iron oxide nanoparticles, Fe-based metal-organic frameworks, ferritin, and transferrin, was reviewed, aiming to help people better understand their tremendous potential in tumor therapy.

Nutrient Stocks and Distribution in Ghanaian Cocoa Ecosystems

There is a paucity of information on nutrient stocks and distribution in the cocoa ecosystem for the management of production sites to improve its productivity. Apart, sites with long histories of cocoa production could differ in nutrient stocks and distribution relative to recent production regions. Therefore, some existing cocoa farms in Ghana were sampled on the basis of shade management (shaded and unshaded) and production site longevity (Eastern region > Western North region) to determine the nutrient stock and distributions in them. Over 93% of the total ecosystems’ elementary nutrients were stored in the soil. Higher nutrient stocks occurred under shaded cocoa ecosystem. Nutrient element concentrations in cocoa tree biomasses followed the order: N > Ca > K > Mg > P > S > Al = Fe > Zn = Mn, and mostly concentrated in leaf > root = husk > branch > stem. On average, region as a main factor affected nutrient distributions. There was a sharp distinction between macronutrient and micronutrient accumulations in favour of Eastern region and Western North region, respectively. Therefore, the regional distinction with respect to macro- and micronutrients could be used as a guide to fertilizer recommendation for cocoa systems in the two regions.