Fusarium head blight resistance exacerbates nutritional loss of wheat grain at elevated CO2

The nutritional integrity of wheat is jeopardized by rapidly rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and the associated emergence and enhanced virulence of plant pathogens. To evaluate how disease resistance traits may impact wheat climate resilience, 15 wheat cultivars with varying levels of resistance to Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) were grown at ambient and elevated CO2. Although all wheat cultivars had increased yield when grown at elevated CO2, the nutritional contents of FHB moderately resistant (MR) cultivars were impacted more than susceptible cultivars. At elevated CO2, the MR cultivars had more significant differences in plant growth, grain protein, starch, fructan, and macro and micro-nutrient content compared with susceptible wheat. Furthermore, changes in protein, starch, phosphorus, and magnesium content were correlated with the cultivar FHB resistance rating, with more FHB resistant cultivars having greater changes in nutrient content. This is the first report of a correlation between the degree of plant pathogen resistance and grain nutritional content loss in response to elevated CO2. Our results demonstrate the importance of identifying wheat cultivars that can maintain nutritional integrity and FHB resistance in future atmospheric CO2 conditions.

Hydrogen Sorption Behavior of Cast Ag-Mg Alloys

In this paper, the hydrogen sorption properties of casted Ag-Mg alloys were investigated. The obtained alloys were structurally analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study was carried out for four alloys from the two-phase region (Mg) + γ′ (AgMg4) with nominal concentrations of 5 wt. %, 10 wt. %, 15 wt. %, and 20 wt. % Ag, four alloys with nominal compositions equivalent to intermetallic phases: AgMg4, AgMg3, AgMg, and Ag3Mg, one alloy from the two-phase region AgMg + Ag3Mg (Ag60Mg40), and one alloy from the two-phase region AgMg + AgMg3 (Ag40Mg60). The hydrogenation process was performed using a Sievert-type sorption analyzer. The hydride decomposition temperature and kinetic properties of the synthesized hydrides were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) coupled with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Samples with high magnesium content were found to readily absorb significant amounts of hydrogen, while hydrogen absorption was not observed for samples with silver concentrations higher than 50 at. % (AgMg intermetallic phase).

Content of Mineral Elements in Rat Liver Tissue with Acquired Insulin Resistance and Obesity in Combination with Iodine

The purpose of the study was to determine the content of mineral elements in the hepatocytes of rats with insulin resistance, obesity, iodine deficiency, insulin resistance in combination with iodine deficiency and obesity in combination with iodine deficiency. Materials and methods. The study was performed on 90 white nonlinear rats weighing 120-180 g, which were divided into five experimental groups: rats with insulin resistance (1st experimental group, n = 15), animals with iodine deficiency (2nd experimental group), animals with insulin resistance in combination with iodine deficiency (3rd experimental group, n = 15), obese animals (4th experimental group, n = 15), obese animals in combined with iodine deficiency (5th experimental group, n = 15). The control group consisted of 15 intact rats. The content of Fe, Ca, Cu, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cr in the liver homogenate was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry on a SPECORD M 40 spectrophotometer (Germany). Results and discussion. In animals with insulin resistance, there was a decrease in the content of copper in the liver by 26.9%, in animals with iodine deficiency the content of this trace element increased by 20.5%, and in the group of animals with insulin resistance in combination with iodine deficiency it increased by 10.1%. The iron content in the group of animals with insulin resistance is higher in relation to the control by 33.7%, in the group of animals with iodine deficiency – by 38.5%, in animals with insulin resistance in combination with iodine deficiency – by 40.8%. Regarding the content of Calcium, in the liver homogenate of animals with insulin resistance it is higher compared to the control by 24%, in animals of the second experimental group –by 26.4%, in animals of the 3rd experimental group – by 22%. The Magnesium content in animals with insulin resitance is lower compared to the control by 19%, in animals with iodine deficiency – by 25.5%, in animals with insulin resistance in combination with iodine deficiency – by 29%. As for Zinc, no significant fluctuations in the content of this trace element were detected. In animals of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups it is lower compared to the control by 10%, 15% and 11.1%, respectively. The Manganese content in animals with insulin resistance is lower compared to the control by 13.6%, in animals with iodine deficiency – by 18.2%, in animals with insulin resistance in combination with iodine deficiency – by 14.8%. With regard to chromium, we found a probable decrease in the concentration of this trace element in animals of the group with insulin resistance by 48%, in animals of the 2nd experimental group – by 57.5%, in animals of the 3rd experimental group – by 58%. In the group of animals with obesity and obesity in combined with iodine deficiency we found an increase in copper content compared to the control by 27.4% and 36.2%, respectively. The iron content in animals with obesity exceeds the control by 34.8%, in the group of animals with obesity in combined with iodine deficiency – by 38.4%. Regarding the content of Calcium, in animals with obesity it is higher by 25.7%, and in animals with obesity in combined with iodine deficiency – by 28.4% compared to the control. Magnesium content in animals with obesity is lower by 27.3% compared to the control group, and in animals with obesity in combined with iodine deficiency – by 28.4%. Regarding Zinc, no significant fluctuations in the content of this trace element were detected. In animals of the 4th and 5th experimental groups it is lower compared to the control by 18.4% and 23.5%, respectively. The content of Manganese in the group of animals with obesity decreased by 14.8%, and in the group with obesity in combined with iodine deficiency the content of this trace element decreased by 16.2% compared to the control. With regard to chromium, we found a probable decrease in the concentration of this trace element in animals of the group with obesity by 58.1% and in the group of animals with obesity in combined with iodine deficiency by 56.2%. Conclusion. The obtained results demonstrate changes in the content of mineral elements in groups of animals with insulin resistance, iodine deficiency, insulin resistance in combination with iodine deficiency, obesity and obesity in combination with iodine deficiency

Nutrient and Anti-Nutrient Composition of Four Rice Varieties in Port Harcourt Metropolis

This study evaluated the nutrient and anti-nutrient content of four rice varieties in Port Harcourt metropolis. Four rice varieties (Tomato gold TG, Mama’s pride MP, Ultimate gold UG and daily choice DC) were used in this study. The rice varieties were purchased, milled into fine flour and evaluated for proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient analysis using standard methods. Proximate composition of the rice varieties revealed that moisture content ranged from 11.51-12.80%, ash (0.45-0.60%), fat (0.39-1.39%), crude protein (5.73-6.07%), crude fibre (0.90-6.85%) and carbohydrate (73.67-80.09%). Mama’s pride rice variety contained higher ash and fat contents while Tomatoes gold had significantly higher crude fibre. On the other hand, ultimate gold rice variety contained higher protein and carbohydrate; however, ash, protein and moisture contents did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between the rice varieties. Mineral composition of the rice varieties also showed that magnesium content ranged from 6.28-9.63 mg/100 g, calcium (3.74-8.23mg/100g) and iron (1.50-5.48mg/100g). The concentration of these mineral elements was found to be superior in ultimate gold rice variety. Phenol content of the rice varieties ranged from 9.92-14.58mg/100g, phytate (1.22-1.53g/kg), saponin (5.86-6.37%), tannin (47.03-66.89 mg/100 g) and flavonoid (2.29-2.80%). Ultimate gold rice variety also contained higher concentrations of phenol and tannins while saponin content was higher in daily choice rice variety. Phytate content on the other hand did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between the rice varieties. The result therefore revealed that ultimate gold rice variety contained a considerable amount of nutrients and should be highly recommended to consumers for derivation of the above-mentioned nutrients.

Mechanical Properties of Aluminum 5083 Alloy GMA Welds with Different Magnesium and Manganese Content of Filler Wires

Gas metal arc welding of aluminum 5083 alloys was performed using three new welding wires with different magnesium and manganese contents and compared with commercial aluminum 5183 alloy filler wire. To investigate the effect of magnesium and manganese contents on the mechanical properties of welds, mechanical properties were evaluated through tensile strength, bending, and microhardness tests. In addition, the microstructure and chemical composition were analyzed to compare the differences between each weld. The tensile strengths of welds using aluminum alloy filler wires with a magnesium content of 7.33 wt.% (W1) and 6.38 wt.% (W2), respectively, were similar. The tensile strength and hardness of welds using wires with a similar magnesium content, but a different manganese content of 0.004 wt.% (W2) and 0.46 wt.% (W3), respectively, were higher in the wire with a high manganese content. Through various mechanical and microstructural property analyses, when the magnesium content of the filler wire was 6 wt.% or more, the manganese content, rather than the magnesium content, had a dominant effect on the strengthening of the weld.

Environmental safety monitoring of heavy metals accumulation in some species of Sambucus L.

The aim in this work was to monitor heavy metals in plants of elderberry species. The objective of the research was to identify the actual concentrations of heavy metals in the fruits and leaves of the studied elderberry species. The need to determine deviations in the content of heavy metals in various parts of plants arose because the current ecological situation in Belgorod’s area requires special attention. The presence and concentration of heavy metals in different elderberry species and different parts of plants vary greatly and have the following features. Increased magnesium content was observed in almost all elderberry species, especially in red-fruited (Sambucus racemosa ‘Aurea’, S. sibirica Nakai, S. racemosa L., S. racemosa ‘Plumosa’, S. coreana Nakai), And its concentration much higher in fruits than in leaves. The highest deviation of the magnesium content from the norm was noted in the fruits and leaves of S. sibirica (2 and 1.5 times, respectively). Black elderberry species (S. nigra L., S. canadensis L., S. canadensis ‘Plumosa’) have a lower magnesium concentration in fruits and leaves. On the other hand, the concentration of copper in fruits and leaves in elderberry species is many times higher than the norm.

ADDITION OF MAGNESIUM (Mg) WITH ALUMINA (AL2O3) REINFORCER IN ALUMINUM MATERIAL COMPOSITES ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICRO STRUCTURES

Aluminum is a widely used and applied material in daily life or in the industrial and automotive world. In order to improve the performance and properties of the application to be used, it needed an alloying element to improve the mechanical properties of the aluminum. Aluminum Matrix Composite (AMC) or better known as aluminum matrix composite is one type of material that has great potential to be developed, due to its good combination and properties such as high strength and hardness, low density, low density, capable of good machining, and its basic ingredients are easily found on the market and cheaper than other materials. This research was conducted using the stir casting process to be able to mix all the compositions contained in aluminum matrix composites and to help the distribution of alumina reinforcing particles (Al2O3) and aluminum matrices be evenly distributed. The parameters used in this casting process are varying the volume fraction of the Al2O3 amplifier by 0.5%; 1.5% and 2.5% plus the magnesium content remains 0.9%. The results showed that the addition of Al2O3 can increase the value of hardness and reduce the value of tensile strength. The highest hardness value was 75.3 HRB at the addition of Al2O3 by 2.5% and the lowest tensile strength value was 7.17 Kgf / mm2 with the percentage of Al2O3 addition of 0.5%.

Effect of magnesium on some mechanical properties of 1200 Aluminium alloy

This paper investigated the effect of magnesium as a dispersion strengthening material on some mechanical properties of 1200-Aluminium (Al-Fe-Si) alloy, a typical commercial aluminium alloy used in the production of household utensils. 1200-Aluminium (Al-Fe-Si) alloy containing varying percentages of the dispersion hardening material (i.e. Magnesium) were produced and mechanical tests namely; hardness, tensile strength and impact strength were carried out. Also, the microstructures of the cast materials were studied. The results showed that increase in magnesium content, as dispersion hardening material improved the hardness, tensile strength and caused a slight decrease in impact strength of the 1200-Aluminium alloy. It is inferred from this work that using magnesium as a dispersion hardening material brings about corresponding improvement in some mechanical properties of 1200-Aluminium (Al-Fe-Si) alloy. Keywords: Magnesium, Aluminium alloy, dispersion strengthened, reinforced alloy, crystallographic formation Depth, Geothermal Energy

Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Genotypes through Biochemical Approach

Background: Sugarcane is very important industrial and cash crop in Pakistan and in many countries of the world. It is worldwide an essential source of commercial sugar accounting for nearly 75 per cent of the world sugar production. Biochemical screening is first step in breeding to select superior genotypes in further breeding program. Methods: The experimental investigations were carried out on 10 different genotypes of sugarcane during consecutive years i.e., 2010-2012 to determine their genetic diversity by biochemical approach and SDS-PAGE analysis. The data on biochemical parameters i.e. reducing and non-reducing sugar, protein content, vitamin C, iron content, phosphorus content, calcium content and magnesium content in juice samples of various genotypes was recorded to assess biochemical composition. Result: The genotypes SPF-213, LHO83-153, CP-72-2086 performed better than other ones for reducing and non-reducing sugar, protein content, vitamin C and minerals content. However, on the basis of overall biochemical constituents CP-72-2086 was most efficient genotype. Electrophoretic mobility through SDS-PAGE was revealed clear genetic diversity among genotypes. As genotype S-06-US-469 and S-06-US-312 which showed unique pattern from common ancestors. These diverse genotypes could be successfully utilized in hybridization for improvement of crop.