Duckweed roots are dispensable and are on a trajectory toward vestigiality

Duckweeds are morphologically simplified, free floating aquatic monocots comprising both rooted and rootless genera. This has led to the idea that roots in these species may be vestigial, but empirical evidence supporting this is lacking. Here we show that duckweed roots are no longer required for their ancestral role of nutrient uptake. Comparative analyses of nearly all rooted duckweed species revealed a highly reduced anatomy, with greater simplification in the more recently diverged genus Lemna. A series of root excision experiments demonstrated that roots are dispensable for normal growth in Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna minor. Furthermore, ionomic analyses of fronds in these two species showed little difference in the elemental composition of plants in rooted versus root-excised samples. In comparison, another free-floating member of the Araceae, Pistia stratiotes, which colonized the aquatic environment independently of duckweeds, has retained a more complex root anatomy. Whilst Pistia roots were not absolutely required for growth, their removal inhibited plant growth and resulted in a broad change in the mineral profile of aerial tissues. Collectively, these observations suggest that duckweeds and Pistia may be different stages along a trajectory towards root vestigialisation Given this, along with the striking diversity of root phenotypes, culminating in total loss in the most derived species, we propose that duckweed roots are a powerful system with which to understand organ loss and vestigiality.

Oyster shell powder (Crassostrea gasar): evaluation of its potential as a natural and sustainable source of calcium in bread

PurposeThe study aims to analyze the composition and mineral profile of oyster shell powder (OSP) and assess its potential as a sustainable source of calcium.Design/methodology/approachA total of two batches of OSP with different particle sizes had been evaluated for centesimal and mineral composition and microbiological quality. OSP with smaller particles (0.85 mm) was used in the production of bread: standard bread (SB) (0%), fortified bread (FB1) (3%) and FB2 (4%). Centesimal and mineral composition and sensory acceptance had been performed. The internal preference map had been constructed using principal component analysis. The Just About Right data and the influence of sensory attributes on bread acceptance had been assessed by a penalty analysis test.FindingsOSP-0.85 mm had calcium content (478.47 ± 2.37 mg.g-1) lower than OSP-1.00 mm (521.15 ± 0.99 mg.g-1) due to retention of particles. In both batches, heavy metals such as chromium, nickel and copper had not detected. FB1 and FB2 had the best nutritional content compared to SB, with higher calcium content (mg.g-1) 0.69 ± 0.07; 13.76 ± 0.72 and 19.47 ± 1.99 for SB, FB1 and FB2, respectively. The internal preference map showed better acceptance of FB1 compared to FB2. The penalty test showed that this acceptance was penalized (p < 0.05) due to the sandy texture.Originality/valueThe large number of shells generated in the processing of oysters is an environmental problem and generates waste of a natural source of calcium. It has been demonstrated that oyster shell powder can be used as a natural and sustainable source of calcium in bread, requiring further studies to assess the bioavailability of calcium.

Seaweed Extract Improves Lagenaria siceraria Young Shoot Production, Mineral Profile and Functional Quality

Vegetable landraces represent the main source of biodiversity in Sicily. Lagenaria siceraria is appreciated by Southern Mediterranean consumers for its immature fruits and young shoots. Plant-based biostimulants supply, such as seaweed extract (SwE), is a contemporary and green agricultural practice applied to ameliorate the yield and quality of vegetables. However, there are no studies concerning the effects of SwE on L. siceraria. The current study evaluated the effects of SwE foliar application (0 or 3 mL L−1) on five L. siceraria landraces (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5) grown in greenhouses. Growth traits, first female flower emission, fruit yield, young shoot yield, fruit firmness, young shoot nitrogen use efficiency (NUEys) and specific young shoot quality parameters, such as soluble solids content (SSC), mineral profile, ascorbic acid, and polyphenols, were appraised. Plant height and number of leaves at 10, 20 and 30 days after transplant (DAT) were significantly higher in plants treated with SwE as compared with untreated plants. Treating plants with SwE increased marketable fruit yield, fruit mean mass, young shoot yield and number of young shoots by 14.4%, 15.0%, 22.2%, 32.4%, and 32.0%, respectively as compared with untreated plants. Relevant increments were also recorded for NUEys, P, K, Ca, Mg, ascorbic acid and polyphenols concentration. SwE application did not significantly affect total yield and SSC. Furthermore, SwE treated plants produced a lower number of marketable fruits than non-treated plants. The present study showed that SwE at 3 mL L−1 can fruitfully enhance crop performance, young shoot yield and quality of L. siceraria.

ANÁLISIS DE MINERALES SÉRICOS DE CERDAS EN LACTACIÓN EN DOS GRANJAS COMERCIALES

Mineral nutrition is essential for profitable production. Health affected is not provided proper levels minerals. Objective of the present work was to analyze mineral profile in serum of sows in lactation, province Santa Fe (A), Entre Rios (B) and fed with diets minerals of inorganic origin. Blood serum samples 68 sows, Farm A (in field) and Farm B (in stabled form) were analyzed. Mineral concentrations were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry; ANOVA was applied to these data. Mean values and their standard deviations obtained are: Calcium (Ca) (mg/dL): 8,61±3,44/ 8,11± 1,73; Phosphorus (P) (mg/dL): 2,66a±0,90/ 3,53b± 1,16; Magnesium (Mg) (mg/dL): 2,25a±0,30/ 1,89b±0,35; Sodium (Na) (mEq/L): 160,98a±15,47/ 138,53b±9,48; Potassium (K) (mEq/L): 3,42±0,24/ 3,58±0,33; Iron (Fe) (µg/dL): 62,74a±6,07/ 94,82b±19,19; Copper (Cu) (ppm): 1,63a±0,35/ 1,01b±0,32; Zinc (Zn) (ppm): 1,82a±0,5/ 1,50b±0,42, for farms A and B respectively. Na and Zn averages were observed slightly above upper limit of normal range. Copper in farm B was observed below normal range. Significant difference (“a” and “b” P <0.05) in P, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn was observed between two farms, this is due to difference in gestation system. Cu concentration tended to be less. Is that subject should continue to be studied.

Influence of Haemolysis on the Mineral Profile of Cattle Serum

Haemolysis of serum samples is the leading cause of preanalytical errors in clinical laboratories. Little is known about the potential alterations in the concentrations of mineral elements in haemolyzed serum and the phenomenon has not been specifically studied in bovine serum samples. We investigate how haemolysis affects the mineral content of bovine samples. We used ICP-MS to measure the concentrations of 12 mineral elements (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Se and Zn) in bovine whole blood, serum and gradually haemolyzed samples and observed significant differences between the different types of samples, particularly in the Fe and Zn concentrations. However, in practice, the high interindividual variability makes it difficult to establish whether a given value corresponds to normal or haemolyzed samples. In response to this problem, we propose to consider that a result is significantly biased when the haemolysis threshold (the degree of haemolysis above which the concentration of an element in serum is significantly altered) of a given element is surpassed. The haemolysis threshold values for the different elements considered were found as follows: 0.015 g Hb L−1 for Fe, 2 g for Zn, 4 g for Cr and 8 g for Ca, Se and Mo.

Influence of Poultry Droppings on the Production and Mineral Profile of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in Kombé (Brazzaville, Congo)

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is one of the most important seed legumes in the tropics and subtropics. It is an important staple in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the arid savannahs of West Africa. The present study conducted in the Kombé area (Brazzaville) aims to assess the impact of poultry droppings on the yield and mineral profile of cowpea. Seeds of three cowpea cultivars (C1, C2, C3) were sown in a completely randomised system in two plots. Prior to sowing, a treatment of one dose of poultry droppings was applied in one of the two plots, which was named fertilised plot containing treatments C1D1, C2D1 and C3D1. The plot without droppings was the control plot with treatments C1D0, C2D0 and C3D0. The biomass of leaves, pods and seeds was assessed by the harvesting method followed by drying and weighing. Chemical data of leaves and soils were obtained after laboratory analysis. The results show that leaf biomass, pod biomass and seed biomass ranged from 1.8 t DM/ha to 3.4 t DM/ha, 960.2 kg/ha to 1706 kg DM/ha and 563.4 kg DM/ha to 1263.7 kg DM/ha respectively. Treatments C1D1 and C3D1 were respectively the most productive in leaf biomass and pod and seed biomass. The nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the leaves do not seem to be influenced by the addition of poultry droppings. However, these contents are improved in the soil after the application of poultry droppings. Poultry droppings have a beneficial effect on yield in terms of leaf, pod and seed biomass. Poultry droppings may be useful as an organic fertilizer for cowpea cultivation.

Nutrient Composition and Physical Properties of Two Orange Seed Varieties

Orange is mainly consumed as fresh fruit, concentrated juice, or thin dried slices, while the seeds are usually discarded by consumers and orange juice processing companies. This study was carried out to determine the physical, frictional, nutritional, and antinutritional properties of the Late Valencia and Red Blood orange seeds. The proximate composition, mineral profile, antinutrient content, and physical and frictional properties of two orange seed varieties were determined using standard methods. The mean length, width, thickness, geometric, and arithmetic mean diameter of the Late Valencia and Red Blood seeds were 14.66, 8.45, 5.05, 8.47, and 9.39 and 13.74, 7.51, 4.99, 7.97, and 8.75 mm, respectively. An angle of repose 39.62° and 38.62°, coefficient of friction of 0.63 and 0.61 on wood, 0.33 each on mild steel, and 0.41 and 0.43 on Teflon were recorded, respectively, for the Late Valencia and Red Blood orange seed varieties. Seeds from Late Valencia and Red Blood orange variety contained 547.39 mg/100 g and 693.87 mg/100 g of oxalate, respectively. Proximate and vitamin C of the orange seeds analyzed indicated that the protein (4.18%), fat (57.45%), fiber (6.06%), energy (640.66 kcal/100 g), and vitamin C (63 mg/100 g) content in the Late Valencia were significantly higher ( p < 0.05 ) than the Red Blood orange (3.61%, 55.77%, 5.49%, 85 kcal/100 g, and 54 mg/100 g) correspondingly. The high fat content of the orange seeds makes them potential source of oil for both food and nonfood product applications. Ca, P, and K were predominantly found in the two orange seed varieties. Physical and frictional properties obtained from this work could aid in the design of equipment for harvesting, processing, transporting, separating, packaging, and storage of orange seeds from Late Valencia and Red Blood orange varieties. Further research is required to determine the suitability of orange seed flours for value-added products.