Mineral and phytochemical influences on foliage selection by the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

Primate diets may be influenced by the phytochemical composition of potential food resources. This study examined the protein, fiber, and mineral content of leaves from plant species used as food resources by the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. In addition, leaf samples were collected from nonfood resources based upon relative density in previously established vegetation plots. Higher concentrations of crude protein, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc were found in young leaves. Mature leaves had higher levels of magnesium, manganese and calcium compared to young leaves. Leaves from species used as food resources were significantly higher in protein (9.9% vs. 8.5%) and lower in fiber (30.5% vs. 40.0% acid detergent fiber) than the leaves from species not used as food sources. Food resources also contained higher concentrations of phosphorus and potassium; nonfood resources contained higher concentrations of calcium and manganese. Proboscis monkeys appear to follow the typical colobine trend: a diet relatively high in protein and low in digestion inhibitors (fiber). Little previous work has examined mineral content as a selection factor in primate food choices. Leaves from species used as food resources contained less calcium (0.35%), iron (34 mg/kg) and phosphorus (0.15%) than dietary standards established for captive nonhuman primates, but values were similar to those established for ruminant herbivores. Other mineral concentrations (potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, and zinc) met or exceeded recommended levels for both primates and ruminants. Comparison of diverse nutrients in native diets may provide insight into suitability of domestic animals models for providing adequate diets in captive feeding situations, as well as help define resource limitations in natural environments. Am. J. Primatol. 41:117–128, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Mineral nutrition of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.)

Summary Two experiments on cacao seedlings grown in sand culture are described, the first of which was concerned with variations in the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur (the macronutrient experiment) and the second dealing with variations in the levels of iron, copper, zinc, boron, manganese, and molybdenum (the micronutrient experiment).Many of the deficiency symptoms obtained were similar to those reported in the literature and they have not been described again. However, additional information is provided for symptoms of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, boron, and molybdenum deficiencies.The effects of all treatments on the dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots are presented. The effects of the macronutrient treatments on the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the leaves of eight month old plants and the effects of micronutrient treatments on the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum, sodium, and aluminium in the leaves of eleven-month-old plants are presented and discussed.     

Correlation between five minerals and the healing effect of Brazilian medicinal plants

A great many Brazilian medicinal plants are used in wound healing. They are usually applied directly to wounds, somein natura as poultices, some as dried powders, and others as water extracts (teas) for bathing. Sixteen plants from the Atlantic Rain Forest of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil were analyzed to determine the concentration of five minerals: silicon, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc to study their possible role in the healing processes. The analysis was performed in plant samples and in teas prepared from them. There appears to be a correlation between the healing effect of the plants and their content of these element.     

Characterization of the yeast ionome: a genome-wide analysis of nutrient mineral and trace element homeostasis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

Background  

Nutrient minerals are essential yet potentially toxic, and homeostatic mechanisms are required to regulate their intracellular levels. We describe here a genome-wide screen for genes involved in the homeostasis of minerals in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), we assayed 4,385 mutant strains for the accumulation of 13 elements (calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, sulfur, and zinc). We refer to the resulting accumulation profile as the yeast 'ionome'.     

Mineral nutrient disorders of root crops of the Pacific: Preliminary observations on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Solution culture was used to characterise deficiencies or toxicities of several essential elements in Ipomoea batatas cv. Wanmun, and to define the critical concentrations of these elements in young mature leaves during vegetative growth. Tentative critical concentrations for deficiency, expressed on the basis of dry weight of leaf blade, were: nitrogen 3.8%, phosphorus 0.17%, potassium 2.4%, magnesium 0.12%, manganese 20g/g and zinc 10g/g. For manganese and zinc toxicities it was possible only to designate the range within which the critical concentration occurred. Visible symptoms are briefly described.     

The Carbon Isotope Ratios and Centents of Mineral Elements in Leaves of Chinese Medi cinal Plants

Leaf carbon isotope ratios and 13 kinds of mineral elements were measured on 36 species of common Chinese medicinal plants in a subtropical monsoon forest of Ding Hu Shan in Guangdong Province. The δ13C value were from –26.4 to –32.6%, indicating that all of the species belonged the photosynthetic C3 types. The relative lower value of δ13C was observed in the life form of shrubs. The contents of 7 elements (N, P, K, Ca, Na Mg, Si) were dependent upon the species, life form, medicinal function and medicinal part. Herb type medicine and the used medicinal part of leaves or whole plant showed higher levels of above elements than the others. Among the nine groups with different medicinal functions, it was found that more nitrogen was in the leaves of medicinal plants for hemophthisis, hypertension and stomachic troubles, more phosphorus and potassium were in the leaves for cancer and snake bite medicines, but more calcium and magnesium were in the leaves for curing rheumatics. Ferric, aluminium and manganese were the main composition of microelements in leaves. There were higher content of ferric in leaves for hemophthisis medicine, higher zinc in leaves for cold and hypertension medicine, and higer cuprum in leaves of stomachic medicine. It was suggested that the pattern of mineral elements in leaves of Chinese medicinal plants reflected the different properties of absorption and accumulation. Some additional effect due to the high content of certain element might be associated with the main function of that medicine.     

The three-dimensional distribution of minerals in potato tubers

Background and Aims

The three-dimensional distributions of mineral elements in potato tubers provide insight into their mechanisms of transport and deposition. Many of these minerals are essential to a healthy human diet, and characterizing their distribution within the potato tuber will guide the effective utilization of this staple foodstuff.

Methods

The variation in mineral composition within the tuber was determined in three dimensions, after determining the orientation of the harvested tuber in the soil. The freeze-dried tuber samples were analysed for minerals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Minerals measured included those of nutritional significance to the plant and to human consumers, such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur.

Key Results

The concentrations of most minerals were higher in the skin than in the flesh of tubers. The potato skin contained about 17 % of total tuber zinc, 34 % of calcium and 55 % of iron. On a fresh weight basis, most minerals were higher in tuber flesh at the stem end than the bud end of the tuber. Potassium, however, displayed a gradient in the opposite direction. The concentrations of phosphorus, copper and calcium decreased from the periphery towards the centre of the tuber.

Conclusions

The distribution of minerals varies greatly within the potato tuber. Low concentrations of some minerals relative to those in leaves may be due to their low mobility in phloem, whereas high concentrations in the skin may reflect direct uptake from the soil across the periderm. In tuber flesh, different minerals show distinct patterns of distribution in the tuber, several being consistent with phloem unloading in the tuber and limited onward movement. These findings have implications both for understanding directed transport of minerals in plants to stem-derived storage organs and for the dietary implications of different food preparation methods for potato tubers.     

In vitro antibacterial activities of methanol and aqueous leave extracts of selected medicinal plants against human pathogenic bacteria

People use medicinal plants as diet, and for treatment of infectious and noninfectious diseases and they use brief procedures like frying and cooking to do so. Medicinal plants; Moringa oleifera, Azadirachta indica, and Lepidium sativum which is believed to have active components that help to treat and manage various diseases were investigated for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhi, Streptococcus agalactiae and Shigella boydii. Solvent methanol and aqueous were used for extraction of crudes by means of maceration. Susceptibility testing was determined by using disc diffusion method and Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by broth dilution method. Heat treated plant material activity against test pathogen was aimed to identify resistance capacity of plant material at different interval of time and temperature. All plant extracts under study was active against all tested pathogen after exposure to 45 °C for 30 min. The antibacterial activities of the non-heat-treated extracts of Azadirachta indica were relatively low; the results of this study show that extracts of Azadirachta indica have better residual antibacterial activities. Methanol extracts of all plant leaves showed highest activity as compared to the aqueous extracts. This is probably assigning the choice of extraction solvent for extracting desired active phytochemical from plants. Many of the people in the study area were illiterate and they did not have awareness about the ways use of medicinal plants. They use the medicinal plants by cooking and frying for different purposes. In the main, plant material can be affected as the temperature of treatment is increases with respect to various times of exposures.     

Macro and micro-elements concentrations in Calligonum comosum wild grazing plant through its growth period

In this study, the change in the content of the macro and micro elements in the growing wild grazing plant of Calligonum comosum was tracked at the Research and Training Station of King Faisal University in Al-Hassa Governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mineral elements were estimated in aerial parts (plant as a whole, leaves and stem) from January-April 2020. The results showed that the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the plant as a whole plant > leaves > roots, while the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper elements in the leaves was higher than other parts whereas the concentrations of these elements of whole plant were higher than the concentrations in roots. The results showed that the plant contents of nitrogen, potassium and zinc were the highest in March, while the concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, iron and copper were in February. The concentrations of magnesium, manganese and copper was the highest in January and April respectively. The values ​​of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper ranged from 11.1 to 18.4 g kg⁻¹, 4.17–2.33 g kg⁻¹, 13.73–18.97 g kg⁻¹, 24.50–28.90 g kg⁻¹, 10.40–12.30 gkg⁻¹, 1500–1677 mg kg⁻¹, 45.45–49.29 mg kg⁻¹, 70.70–177.23 mg kg⁻¹, 16.78–73.46 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the results exhibited that the lowest values of the elements appeared in the plant roots in April. As well as, the distribution of the elements followed the normal life curve from January to April. Besides that, the evaluated elements satisfy the needs of the grazing animals' life in which this type of plant grows.     

Employment of Cassia angustifolia leaf extract for zinc nanoparticles fabrication and their antibacterial and cytotoxicity

The plant Cassia angustifolia belongs to Saudi Arabia, which is one of the native places and now cultured throughout the global countries. Medical care in the Arab world is an essential outlet for medicinal plants, both because they are crucial elements for prophetic medicine and due to their lengthy background in the Middle East. C.angustifolia is one of the medicinal plants used in the Saudi Arabia. The usage of plant extracts for synthesizing nanoparticles is conducive to other biological material, since it avoids the lengthy phase of cell culture maintenance. Silver nanoparticles attract further attention due to their strong conductivity, stability and antimicrobial activity across different metal nanoparticles. The present study was designed in the Saudi C. angustifolia leaves with the zinc synthesis of nanoparticles and its antibacterial ability. The plant extracts of C. angustifolia was used for synthesis of zinc nanoparticles, antimicrobial activities against bacterial strains have been tested along with transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV spectroscopy and antimicrobial activities have been conducted. This study showed that silver ions may be transferred from the plant extract to silver nanoparticles. AgNPs biogenic capacity to antibacterial with lovo cell with IC₅₀ ranged from 33.5 ± 0.2 μg/mL demonstrated strong antibacterial capacity to antibody. The overall absorption value for the extract was between 420 and 440 nm and the color transition to green was the plasma absorption of the AgNPs. TEM results was showed in 200,000 magnification. The uniqueness of the current study is that Cassia angustifolia leaf extract from Saudi Arabia was used to prepare the metallic nanoparticles. Additionally, ZnCl₂ may also be used as nanoparticles of mineral salt and zinc, which, since their application has been confirmed, are antimicrobial.     

Effects of silicon on the chemical composition of rice plants

Summary Rice plants were grown in nutrient culture solutions. Silicon was supplied to these plants at different rates. The plant samples of early vegetative, vegetative and flowering stages were analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, silicon, protein and carbohydrate contents. The application of silicon generally decreased the nitrogen, protein and potassium content of rice plants. Its application also decreased the iron and manganese contents. The use of silicon resulted in an increase in phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, silicon and carbohydrate contents of rice plants.Reader and Head of the Department of Soil Science, University of Dacca, Dacca, East Pakistan.     

Biological screening of traditional preparations from some medicinal plants used as antidiarrhoeal in Kinshasa, Congo.

Forty six aqueous extracts from 38 medicinal plant species belonging to different families were selected on the basis of their traditional medicinal use as antidiarrhoeic agents. They were submitted in a broad biological screening including antibacterial, antiamoebic and antispasmodic activities. The results of the testing have indicated that 37 extracts (80.43%), 33 (71.74%) and 32 (69.54%) exhibited some level of antibacterial, antiamoebic and antispasmodic activity respectively. Only 8 plant extracts (17.39%) would act as antidiarrhoeic agents by a triple pronounced antibacterial, antiamoebic and antispasmodic action. They include aqueous extracts from Euphorbia hirta whole plant, leaves of Psidium guajava and Tithonia diversifolia, root bark of Alchornea cordifolia, Heinsia pulchella, Paropsia brazzeana, Rauwolfia obscura and Voacanga africana.     

Influence of potassium and manganese on growth and uptake of magnesium by soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Bragg)

Summary Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr. cv. Bragg) seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions to evaluate the response to manganese nutrition as affected by potassium supply. In solutions containing 275 M manganese, increasing the solution concentration of potassium from 1 mM to 10 mM alleviated symptoms of manganese toxicity, decreased manganese concentrations in the leaves and increased dry matter yields of the plants. The reduction in manganese toxicity was brought about by a reduced rate of root absorption of manganese at high potassium supply levels.Increasing the supply of either potassium or manganese decreased the leaf concentration of magnesium although there were no apparent symptoms of magnesium deficiency in any treatment. The reduced concentration of magnesium in the leaves was due to effects of potassium and manganese on the rate of root absorption of magnesium.Under manganese deficiency conditions, growth was reduced and manganese concentrations in plant parts were very low; there was no effect of potassium supply when manganese was absent from the nutrient solution.     

Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Additions on Plant Biomass and Soil Nutrient Content of a Swale Barrier Strand Community in Louisiana

Fertilization of a swale plant community with various levelsand combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium resultedin increased plant growth. Nitrogen addition produced the greatestincrease in biomass. At some high nitrogen levels, phosphoruslimited plant production. Potassium fertilization did not influenceplant growth. Phosphorus fertilization decreased the levelsof soil calcium, magnesium and manganese. A shore-perpendiculargradient in apparent saltwater inundation influenced soil pHand the concentrations of iron, phosphorus, and magnesium. Fertilizer effects, swale Scirpus americanus, Spartina patens, nitrogen limitation     

Chemical Forms of Manganese and Zinc in Phloem Exudates

Investigations were performed to study the chemical form in which manganese and zinc are transported in sieve tubes. As a test plant Ricinus communis was used. From this plant phloem sap can be obtained in a rather pure state. The plants received labelled manganese or zinc. In the experiments on manganese translocation a radioactive phosphorus isotope was added to the nutrient solution to test if complex compounds of the cation contain also phosphorus. Components of the phloem exudate were determined by means of physicochemical separation methods. Almost all zinc but only a part of the manganese were bound to organic compounds. The major part of the manganese was in ionic form. The molecular weight of the complexing com-pound(s) of manganese was estimated to be between 1000 and 5000 and of zinc between 1000 and 1500. The complexes probably contain some phosphorus. The charge of the zinc complex is negative.     

不同月份采集的贝加尔针茅地上部的分解特征及影响因素

利用植物生长过程中植物组织内养分元素化学性质的季节性变化特点,在2009年生长季的不同月份(5—9月)采集了呼伦贝尔地区贝加尔针茅地上部(茎和叶),作为分解底物,采用分解袋法,研究其分解特点及其影响因素。结果表明:不同月份采集的贝加尔针茅分解底物之间的分解速度存在明显差异,依采集月份逐渐递减,5月>6月>7月>8月>9月;分解底物初始N、P、Zn、K、Mg和Mn含量与分解速度均呈显著正相关,而碳含量和C∶N与分解速度呈显著负相关,初始钙含量、N∶P与分解速度无显著相关性;土壤微生物生物量N与分解底物的残余质量(%)相关性明显;另外,土壤微生物生物量N与凋落物C、N含量也具有明显的相关性;分解底物质量损失与土壤水分含量显著正相关,而与土壤温度的相关性较弱,说明降水变化通过调节土壤湿度来影响凋落物分解。     

The effect of iron supply on the yield and composition of leaves of tomato plants

Summary This paper describes a factorial experiment which was designed to elucidate the effect of total iron supply and rate of iron supply on the yield of tomato plants. Information was also obtained on the effect of iron supply and leaf age on the concentration of a number of nutrient elements in the leaf tissue.Increasing the total iron supply increases the yield, and the iron concentration in the leaves, while the manganese, phosphorus, sodium, calcium and magnesium decrease in concentration. The young leaves have a lower concentration of iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium than the older leaves, while the reverse is true of nitrogen and phosphorus. A slow rate of iron supply decreases the yield and sodium concentration in the leaves but increases the manganese and phosphorus concentrations.Interaction between total iron supply and leaf position affects the manganese, potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations in the leaves, while the interaction between total-iron level and rate of iron supply affects the phosphorus and calcium concentration in the leaves.     

Antibacterial efficacy of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) an indigenous medicinal plant against experimental murine salmonellosis

In the present study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of ashwagandha [Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Solanaceae; root and leaves)], an Indian traditional medicinal plant against pathogenic bacteria. Both aqueous as well as alcoholic extracts of the plant (root as well as leaves) were found to possess strong antibacterial activity against a range of bacteria, as revealed by in vitro Agar Well Diffusion Method. The methanolic extract was further subfractionated using various solvents and the butanolic sub-fraction was found to possess maximum inhibitory activity against a spectrum of bacteria including Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, in contrast to the synthetic antibiotic (viz. chloramphenicol), these extracts did not induce lysis on incubation with human erythrocytes, advocating their safety to the living cells. Finally, the antibacterial efficacy of the extracts isolated from plant (both root and leaves) was determined against experimental salmonellosis in Balb/C mice. Oral administration of the aqueous extracts successfully obliterated salmonella infection in Balb/C mice as revealed by increased survival rate as well as less bacterial load in various vital organs of the treated animals.     

Biochemical and physiological changes produced by Azotobacter chroococcum (INIFAT5 strain) on pineapple in vitro-plantlets during acclimatization

This study highlights some of the effects of the application of Azotobacter chroococcum (INIFAT5 strain) on in vitro-pineapple plantlets during acclimatization. The bacteria were sprayed immediately after transplanting to the ex vitro environment; the plants were then sprayed every 4 week. Subsequently (4 months) the evaluated variables included plantlet fresh and dry weights, leaf and root lengths, and composition of minerals, amino-acids, carbohydrates and proteins. Photosynthesis indicators were also evaluated. Significant effects of the application of Azotobacter over pineapple plantlets during acclimatization were observed in the mineral, amino-acid, carbohydrate and protein levels, as well as, in the photosynthesis indicators. Contrastingly, plant growth parameters showed modest increases caused by the bacteria, although they were statistically significant. Looking into specific minerals, the following significant effects of Azotobacter should be highlighted: increased levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, copper and zinc. Moreover, contents of all amino-acids recorded showed significant increases in their levels in sprayed plantlets. Carbohydrates were also increased in leaves of plantlets bio-fertilized with the bacteria, mainly sucrose and fructose. Chlorophyll b levels were also significantly increased by Azotobacter. The biofertilizer did not modify levels of calcium, iron or manganese.     

Spent medium analysis for liquid culture micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemerocallis</Emphasis> on Murashige and Skoog medium

Residual nutrients from Murashige and Skoog medium were analyzed following a 5-wk multifactor experiment. Plant density, sugar concentration, and plant growth regulators (benzyladenine and ancymidol) were examined using four genotypes of daylily (Hemerocallis) to determine which factors most influenced nutrient use. Active nutrient uptake was observed for 11 nutrients (potassium, sodium, copper, phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, boron, sulfur, and zinc) with lower concentrations in spent medium than in the tissue water volume (fresh-dry mass expressed as mL H₂O). Two patterns of nutrient use were visualized by correlative analysis of nutrient uptake. Greatest growth lowered plant nutrient concentrations of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, and copper in all genotypes, and luxuriant uptake was indicated with least growth. Potassium, sodium, iron, and copper concentrations in plant dry matter were equal to or exceeded what is observed in vigorously growing nursery plants. However, phosphorus concentration in plant dry matter was low enough to be considered deficient when compared to Hemerocallis plants in nursery production. With a second group of nutrients (calcium, magnesium, manganese, and boron), the genotype, “Barbara Mitchell” lacked active uptake and was deficient. Calcium concentration was low in all plants compared to Hemerocallis grown under nursery conditions (“Barbara Mitchell” was the lowest concentration) despite active uptake by the other three genotypes—“Brocaded Gown,” “Mary’s Gold,” and “Heart of a Missionary.” Magnesium concentration in these three genotypes was low enough in vessels with greatest growth to question its adequacy at high densities. Increased sucrose in medium reduced the dry matter concentrations of all tested nutrients. Plant growth regulators had less impact on nutrient use than genotype and plant density. Nutrient uptake may be an important physiological component of genotypic variation.