Nutritional Value and Bioactive Compounds of Leaves and Grains from Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Quinoa is an important crop for food security and food sovereignty in Ecuador. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional value, bioactive compounds, and antinutrient compounds of leaves and grains of the Ecuadorian quinoa variety Tunkahuan, and we identified significant differences between the nutrient content in the leaves and grains. The quinoa leaves presented a higher protein content than the grains, as well as inorganic nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. Both the grains and leaves had an appreciable phenolic content. In addition, the quinoa grains presented a higher content of the antinutrient saponin than the leaves, while the leaves contained more nitrates and oxalates than the grains. Thus, quinoa leaves and grains exhibit excellent potential for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Stage specific comparative transcriptomic analysis to reveal gene networks regulating iron and zinc content in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Pearl millet is an important staple food crop of poor people and excels all other cereals due to its unique features of resilience to adverse climatic conditions. It is rich in micronutrients like iron and zinc and amenable for focused breeding for these micronutrients along with high yield. Hence, this is a key to alleviate malnutrition and ensure nutritional security. This study was conducted to identify and validate candidate genes governing grain iron and zinc content enabling the desired modifications in the genotypes. Transcriptome sequencing using ION S5 Next Generation Sequencer generated 43.5 million sequence reads resulting in 83,721 transcripts with N50 of 597 bp and 84.35% of transcripts matched with the pearl millet genome assembly. The genotypes having high iron and zinc showed differential gene expression during different stages. Of which, 155 were up-regulated and 251 were down-regulated while during flowering stage and milking stage 349 and 378 transcripts were differentially expressed, respectively. Gene annotation and GO term showed the presence of transcripts involved in metabolic activities associated with uptake and transport of iron and zinc. Information generated will help in gaining insights into iron and zinc metabolism and develop genotypes with high yield, grain iron and zinc content.

Synergistically Enhanced Iron and Zinc Bimetallic Sites as an Advanced ORR Electrocatalyst for Flow Liquid Rechargeable Zn-air Batteries

N-coordinated transition-metal materials are promising electrocatalysts for various sustainable and efficient electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. Here we reported a simple synthetic route of simultaneously crafting Fe and Zn...

Diverse Functions of Plant Zinc-Induced Facilitator-like Transporter for Their Emerging Roles in Crop Trait Enhancement

The major facilitator superfamily (MFS) is a large and diverse group of secondary transporters found across all kingdoms of life. Zinc-induced facilitator-like (ZIFL) transporters are the MFS family members that function as exporters driven by the antiporter-dependent processes. The presence of multiple ZIFL transporters was shown in various plant species, as well as in bryophytes. However, only a few ZIFLs have been functionally characterized in plants, and their localization has been suggested to be either on tonoplast or at the plasma membrane. A subset of the plant ZIFLs were eventually characterized as transporters due to their specialized role in phytosiderophores efflux and auxin homeostasis, and they were also proven to impart tolerance to micronutrient deficiency. The emerging functions of ZIFL proteins highlight their role in addressing important traits in crop species. This review aims to provide insight into and discuss the importance of plant ZIFL in various tissue-specific functions. Furthermore, a spotlight is placed on their role in mobilizing essential micronutrients, including iron and zinc, from the rhizosphere to support plant survival. In conclusion, in this paper, we discuss the functional redundancy of ZIFL transporters to understand their roles in developing specific traits in crop.

Observations on the Productivity of Breeding Specimens of Urtica dioica L. from European Russian Ecotopes in Comparison with the Breeding Variety under Field Crop Conditions

Nettle is most often studied as a spinning plant, as a source of biochemicals and environmentally safe fungicides. Major studies are mostly conducted on natural samples and plant populations. Prospects for the use of plant biological resources of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) from the Cretaceous south of the Central Russian Upland to create cultivars for a wide range of applications are considered. The aim of the study is to investigate the productivity of fresh weight and its biochemical composition in the variety of stinging nettle Avicenna, created on the basis of the initial material selected in the Belgorod region of Russia and patented in 2019, and new promising cultivars UD 32/06 and UD 12/16. The experiments were carried out by the split plot method with full randomization in four replicates. The cultivars UD 32/06 and UD 12/16 reliably surpass the Avicenna cultivar in the collection of fresh mass weight by 16.6–22.7% and 23.1 to 27.8%, dry weight by 11.4–28.7% and 1.9–32.7%, and seeds by 19.7–32.0% and 23.2–40.0% accordingly. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of the factor “Cultivar” on the productive traits “Fresh weight yield” (strength influence 87.2%), “Dry weight yield” (strength influence 43.9%), and “Seed yield” (h2x = 61.6%). The content of crude protein in dry weight of the Avicenna and new varieties is 21.1–24.2%, crude fat: 2.5–4.2%, fiber: 12.0–14.8%. High content of ascorbic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc were observed in all material tested. It is concluded that the biological resources of the wild-growing forms of Urtica dioica L. from the European south of Russia are a valuable source material for obtaining varieties, and varieties with high productivity of the aboveground mass and stable seed productivity. The obtained research results prove the usefulness of nettle cultivation.

VARIABILIDADE ESPACIAL E CORRELAÇÃO DOS ATRIBUTOS DO SOLO COM PRODUTIVIDADE DO MILHO E DA SOJA

O emprego de técnicas de agricultura de precisão, associadas a análises geoestatísticas, possibilita mapear a variabilidade espacial existente em um campo de produção. O conhecimento da variabilidade é importante ferramenta na tomada de decisões quanto ao manejo da área, uma vez que possibilita que este seja realizado de forma localizada. O estudo foi realizado em um talhão da Fazenda Planalto, localizada no município de Maracaju – MS, com o objetivo de avaliar a variabilidade espacial e correlação entre os atributos químicos e granulométricos do solo e a produtividade do milho e da soja. Foi utilizada uma grade amostral contendo 187 pontos, utilizando-se 10 amostras simples de solo por ponto amostral. Não foi detectado dependência espacial para o cálcio, alumínio, acidez potencial, soma de bases, ferro e zinco. As melhores estimativas em locais não amostrados foram obtidos para a areia e argila. A produtividade da soja apresentou forte dependência espacial e se correlacionou positivamente de forma forte com o fósforo e moderada com o magnésio. Palavras-chave: Latossolo; dependência espacial; Glycine max; Zea mays. Spatial variability and correlation of chemicals and physical soil attributes with corn and soybean yield ABSTRACT: The use of precision farming techniques, associated with geostatistical analysis, makes it possible to map the spatial variability in a production field. The knowledge of variability is an important tool in decision making regarding the management of the area, since it allows it to be carried out in a localized manner. The study was carried out in a plot of Fazenda Planalto, located in the municipality of Maracaju - MS, with the objective of evaluating the spatial variability and correlation between the chemical and granulometric attributes of the soil and the corn and soybeans yield. A sampling grid containing 187 points was used, using 10 simple soil samples per sample point. No spatial dependence was detected for calcium, aluminum, potential acidity, sum of bases, iron and zinc. The best estimates in unsampled locations were obtained for sand and clay. The soybeans yield showed strong spatial dependence and was positively correlated strongly with phosphorus and moderately with magnesium. Keywords: Oxisol; spatial dependence; Glycine max; Zea mays.

The influence of toxic metals As, Cd, Ni and Pb on nutrients accumulation in Mentha piperita

Medicinal plants are, for a considerable part of the population, an important source of treatment for certain diseases. They contain essential nutrients for the human body such as magnesium, iron , and zinc. The present study shows the influence of the addition of As, Cd, Ni, Pb on mineral nutrients in different organs of Mentha piperita. The experiments were carried out in the laboratory for a period of three months (May-July). Mentha piperita plants were AsCd and AsCdNiPb exposed up to final concentrations corresponding to the soil intervention threshold according to Romanian Order no.756/1997 (25 mg/kg As, 5 mg/kg Cd, 150 mg/kg Ni and 100 mg/ kg Pb). Simultaneously with these experiments, a control experiment (M) was performed. To evaluate the effect of the addition of AsCd and AsCdNiPb on the accumulation and transfer of Ca, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Fe and Zn, the transfer coefficient (TC), the translocation factor (TF), and the enrichment factor (EF) were calculated. A higher concentration of Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn was observed especially in the mint root in the experiments in which AsCdNiPb was added compared to those in which only AsCd was added. The AsCdNiPb addition did not influence the translocation of micro and macronutrients from the root to the aerial (edible) parts of the plant. In the case of the AsCd, addition, the translocation of zinc from the root to the aerial parts (leaves and stem) of the plant was increased.

Hydrothermal Sphalerites from Ore Deposits of Baia Mare Area

Sphalerite is an abundant mineral in the hydrothermal deposits from the Baia Mare and Oaș areas (northwestern Romania). Sphalerite samples were analyzed with an electron probe microanalyzer and Raman spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated different amounts of Fe in the various deposits from the Baia Mare and Oaș areas. The sphalerites from Baia Sprie, Cavnic, Iba, Turț Penigher, and Breiner have a low Fe wt.% content. High Fe wt.% contents are at Herja and partly at Ghezuri and Nistru (copper stage) where sphalerite is associated with pyrrhotite. The correlation between iron and zinc from sphalerites is strongly negative. The negative correlation shows that iron is the main element that replaces zinc in the sphalerite structure. The manganese content of sphalerites in the Baia Mare and Oaș area is up to 0.84 wt.%. The cadmium content is quite uniform in the Baia Mare and Oaș area with contents ranging from 0.01 to 0.72 wt.%. The Fe content of sphalerites is an important indicator of the physico-chemical conditions of deposit formation because it is a function of temperature, pressure, and sulfur fugacity.

Ferrate(VI) Synthesis Using Fe(OH)3 from Waste Iron Electrolysis and Its Application for the Removal of Metal Ions and Anions in Water

Ferrate(VI) salt is an effective oxidant and coagulant for water treatment and removal of metal ions. This study demonstrates a new approach to processing metal ions and anions in water by Fe(VI) through Fe(III) obtained from the electrolysis of waste iron transformer. The electrolysis was successfully carried out in the Na2SO4 electrolyte using waste iron and zinc plates as anode and cathode, respectively. Fe(III) electrolysis results through the characterization of FTIR and XRD indicate compliance with Fe(OH)3 standards. Synthesis of ferrate was carried out by adding Fe(III) from electrolysis with NaOCl in alkaline conditions. The formed ferrate solution shows a purple color with a typical maximum wavelength of 505 nm. Furthermore, the ferrate obtained is used to remove metal ions (Fe(III), Cu(II), Zn(II), Mg(II), Pb(II)) and anions (sulfate, nitrate, and carbonate) in water with pH variations. Ferrate treatment filtrate was analyzed using AAS for metal ions, while sulfate, nitrate, and carbonate anions used UV-Vis spectrophotometry, turbidimetry, and titration methods. The results showed that ferrate effectively eliminates metal ions and anions in water with optimum pH 6. The mechanism of heavy metal removal by ferrate(VI) can be explained by ionic bonding and adsorption.