Detection of Biogenic Silica in Leaf Blade, Leaf Sheath, and Stem of Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) Using LIBS and Phytolith Analysis

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to perform in situ analysis of major and minor elements present in the different parts of the Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). In situ, point detection/analysis of the elements in plants without any sample preparation has been demonstrated. LIBS spectra of the different parts (leaf blade, leaf sheath and stem) of fresh C. dactylon plant have been recorded to study the pattern of silica deposition in its different parts. Atomic lines of Si, Mg, Ca, C, Al, Zn, N, Sr, etc. have been observed in the LIBS spectra of the C. dactylon. A close observation of LIBS spectra of the different parts of the plants shows that silica concentration is greater in leaf blades than leaf sheaths and stems. The results obtained with LIBS analysis are also compared with the number density of phytoliths deposited in different parts of C. dactylon. It is observed that the highest silicified cell frequency is present in leaf blades followed by leaf sheaths and stems which is in close agreement with LIBS analysis.     

LIBS: A Quality Control Tool for Food Supplements

In the present paper the ability of calibration free laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) as a quality control tool to monitor the composition of different minerals present in food supplement samples belonging to Indian brands (brand-A and brand-B) has been demonstrated. LIBS spectra of these two food supplements (brand-A and brand-B) available in the form of tablet have been recorded. As reported by manufacturers of these two food supplements, LIBS spectra of brand-A contains the spectral signatures of minerals like Ca, Mg, C, P, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Cr whereas LIBS spectra of brand-B shows the presence of spectral lines like Ca, Mg and C. The spectral signatures of Na and K are also found in both brands whereas spectral signature of Ti is observed only in brand-B but these elements are not mentioned on the nutritional label of the brands. The quantitative analysis of mineral contents in food supplements has been done using CF-LIBS for brand A and brand B to verify the content of the minerals reported by the manufacturer of the food supplements. Our results show that Ca and Mg are the main matrix elements of these brands. The concentration of minor and trace elements estimated using CF-LIBS technique is found in agreement with the reported nutritional values of both the brands. The concentration of major elements Ca and Mg are also estimated from Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy which is in close agreement with CF-LIBS result.     

New Strategies of LIBS-Based Validation of Glycemic Elements for Diabetes Management

Antidiabetic efficacy of medicinal plant cannot be ignored in order to develop drugs without toxicity and side effects. Trace elements present in plant material is responsible for their medicinal nature and hence it is necessary to know the major and minor constituents of the plant material. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a very efficient and powerful analytical tool to monitor the elements present in sample. The present study deals with the LIBS-based validation of glycemic elements present in Withania coagulans and Cajanus cajan medicinal herbs. The decreasing blood glucose level and improving glucose tolerance test significantly showed that the higher content of Mg and Ca in W. coagulans in comparison to C. cajan is responsible for its significant role in diabetes management, whereas the concentration of other elements are nearly the same in both extracts.     

LIBS Based Screening of Glycemic Elements of Ficus religiosa

The effectiveness of various trace element concentrations in medicinal plants in the cure of various diseases can be determined by their quantitative estimation. Elemental concentrations of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves were measured by Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS is a very powerful and efficient analytical tool for determining elemental constitution. The present study deals with the LIBS-based validation of elements responsible for the glycemic potential of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic models. The significant decrease in blood glucose level and marked improvement in glucose tolerance test of diabetic models is correlated to the concentration of elements present in the extract as revealed by LIBS spectra. Elements such as Mg and Ca have been observed in the LIBS spectra of F. religiosa.     

Role of Spectral Studies in Detection of Antibacterial Phytoelements and Phytochemicals of Moringa oleifera

This paper reports, the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) studies and structure elucidation of compounds isolated from the fruit extract of Moringa oleifera and also deals with their possible effects on some bacterial strains viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extract was found to be active against all four microorganisms used. Extent of inhibitory effect of extract was assessed at different concentrations of 25, 50, 75 mg/ml by measuring diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ). Our results clearly showed that the 75 mg/ml concentration of the extract had 14, 12 and 18 mm of the DIZ against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 14 mm with 50 mg/ml concentration against Escherichia coli. The results were compared with the standard antibiotic ‘ampicillin’ of 1 mg/ml concentration. LIBS was recorded with high power pulsed laser beam from Nd: YAG Laser (Continuum Surelite III-10), focused on the surface of the material, which was in liquid form, to generate plasma on the surface of the sample. LIBS data clearly demonstrate the presence of trace elements, magnesium and iron, in high concentration in the extract. Whereas, from the phytochemical profile reveals the presence of two new compounds, S-ethyl-N-{4-[(α-L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl]} thiocarbamate and 2-acetoxy {4-[(2′,3′,4′-tri-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl]} acetonitrile as the major constituents. This study is the first report on synergetic effect of the phytoconstituents and certain set of elements present in their defined role in bacterial management against different bacterial strains.     

Hypoglycemic activity of inorganic constitutents in Eugenia jambolana seed on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Medicinal herbs used in indigenous medicines for the management of diabetes mellitus contain both organic and inorganic constituents. Some of these inorganic trace elements possess antidiabetic properties, which accounts for the activity of medicinal herbs. The aim of this study was to analyze the inorganic trace elements present in Eugenia jambolana seeds and to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the inorganic part of E. jambolana seeds on streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The seeds of E. jambolana seeds were reduced to ash and the inorganic elements present were assayed. The hypoglycemic efficacy of the inorganic part was tested by the glucose tolerance test on streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Elements such as zinc, chromium, vanadium, potassium, and sodium, possessing hypoglycemic activity, were present in the seed. The E. jambolana seed ashtreated diabetic rats exhibited normoglycemia and better glucose tolerance. The conclusion that the inorganic constituents might play a important role in the antidiabetic nature E. jambolana seeds was reached.     

The metabolic activation of 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine by chlorophyll-containing plant extracts: The relationship between mutagenicity and antimutagenicity

Chlorophyllin, the sodium and copper salt of chloropyll, and chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b were tested for their ability to inhibit the mutagenic activity of the direct-acting mutagen 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NOP) and its plant-activated mutagenic enhancement. All three forms of chlorophyll were antimutagenic against both NOP and its plant-activated product, with chlorophyllin proving most effective. Chlorophyll-containing plant extracts, however, proved very efficient at activating NOP into a mutagen of greater potency. When these extracts were assayed for total chlorophyll content it was found that they contained far less chlorophyll than was required for an antimutagenic effect to occur. Thus, the balance between chemical mutagen activation and/or enhancement by chlorophyll-containing plant extracts and the potential antimutagenicity of these plant extracts is a function of chlorophyll concentration. The data presented here indicate that this balance must be taken into consideration in future studies investigating the efficacy of complex natural plant extracts as antimutagenic substances.     

Mineral contents of Aloe vera leaf gel and their role on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The role of some inorganic elements like vanadium, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, manganese, and traces of chromium in the improvement of impaired glucose tolerance and their indirect role in the management of diabetes mellitus are being increasingly recognized. In traditional methods, medicinal plants are being used, which contain both organic and inorganic constituents. In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze the inorganic elements present in Aloe vera leat gel and their role on diabetes-related biochemical alterations in experimental rats. Special emphasis was given to the inorganic parts by carefully preparing ash of the leaf gel. The results clearly indicate the presence of several hypoglycemic-activity-possessing elements in the gel. The ash treatment also resulted in hypoglycemic action. In conclusion, the presence of various inorganic trace elements in the gel might account for the hypoglycemic nature of the plant.     

Release of metals and arsenic from various mine tailings by Eriophorum angustifolium

Previous investigations have found that plants grown on sulphide-rich mine tailings have phytostabilising effects on acid mine drainage (AMD) by decreasing the pH and preventing the release of metals. The possibility of similar effects on tailings containing other minerals was investigated here. The aim was to examine the effects of Eriophorum angustifolium on four water-covered mine tailings with different mineralogy – i.e. the plants’ effect on the release of elements from the tailings and the uptake of elements – to reveal if E. angustifolium is suitable for phytostabilisation in various tailings. Seeds of E. angustifolium were sown in different tailings amended with sewage sludge. Arsenic, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn levels in the drainage water and in plant tissues were examined. pH, alkalinity, and organic acid concentrations were measured in drainage water, and redox potential and O₂ levels in the pore water. The effect of E. angustifolium on the release of metals from the tailings varied with the composition of the tailings. In tailings with a low buffering capacity and low element and sulphide levels, compared with the other tailings, E. angustifolium increased the release of metals, which was shown by the high concentrations of elements and low pH in the drainage water and high concentrations of elements in the shoots, thereby generating a bio-concentration factor (BCF) >1. In tailings with a high concentration of elements, the plants had little effect on the levels of the elements in the drainage water, likely due to the presence of buffering agents in the tailings (added prior to the experiment). In this case, the pH did not decrease in the presence of plants and the shoot BCF was <1.     

基于地理种源的刨花楠苗木比叶面积与叶片化学计量学关系

探讨植物比叶面积(SLA)与叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量学关系,能够反映植物为获取最大光合生产所采取的内部调控机制,共同体现植物的适应策略。利用生长于同一土壤与气候环境中培育的刨花楠(Machilus pauhoi)1年生苗木,对其SLA与叶片C、N、P含量进行测定,并对SLA与叶片C、N、P化学计量学特征及其与种源地环境因子的关系进行分析。结果表明:(1)叶片养分含量的变异系数大小排序为CNP;SLA与叶片N、P含量呈显著的正相关,与叶片C∶N及C∶P呈极显著的负相关。(2)SLA与经度、年均温、年降水量呈显著负相关;叶片C、N、P含量也受种源地环境因子影响,其中以海拔最为重要。研究结果有助于理解刨花楠苗木的生存适应对策,对探究刨花楠对养分的资源利用效率等具有重要意义。     

The role of 2,6-dichlorophenol as sex pheromone of the tropical horse tick Anocentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) as sex pheromone of Anocentornitens. Sex pheromones were extracted by submerging 150 females fed for 6 days in hexane (3 ml) for two hours and sonicating them for15 min. The extract was analyzed by GC-MS employing the Single Ion Monitoring (SIM) method. Identification of 2,6-DCP was based on the comparison of mass spectra with a computer search using the NIST library and by matching the mass spectrum of the peak at the retention time of 2,6-DCP from extract sand the synthetic product. In an olfactometer, males were released at 2.5cm from females, control rubber septa and impregnated rubber septa with increasing concentrations of 2,6-DCP (50, 500 and 5000 ng). A higher percentage of orientation and higher frequencies of angles between 0° and 10° were observed for males tested with females than with controls. Attraction of males to dummies impregnated with 2,6-DCP was observed with highest response (100%) at 50 ng. There was a gradual decrease of responsiveness of males with increasing concentration of 2,6-DCP (70 to 75%).This compound stimulated a behavior of mounting and ventral positioning ofA. nitens males at the lowest 2,6-DCP concentration where as dummies impregnated with 2,6-DCP higher than 50 ng concentration inhibited these behaviors. Therefore, we can conclude that 2,6-DCP can elicit the complete behavior sequence of orientation, location, mounting and ventral positioning behaviors and plays a role as an attractant and, as a mounting sex pheromone in A. nitens. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Distribution of Elements in the Millipede, <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Oxidus gracilis</Emphasis> C. L. Koch (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) and the Relation to Environmental Habitats

The concentrations of 55 elements in the millipede, Oxidus gracilis, soil and plant in the habitat were examined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In all the millipedes, Ca concentration derived from calcium carbonate in the exoskeleton was the highest at average 94 μ/mg-weight. The other major elements were the following: Mg, K, Na, Zn, Fe, Al, Cu, Sr, Ba, Mn and Ti (> 1 ng/mg-body weight), whereas Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Co, Li and Ce etc. were in trace levels. Interestingly, the various 15 elements such as Ca, Na, Zn, Al, Ba, Ga, Ag, Cd, Co and Y in environmental habitats were well reflected in the body of the millipede. Although the heavy metal contents, in the order of Cu>Pb>Cd, were similar to those of other invertebrates, Cu in the millipede was remarkably high concentration. Zn was maintained in a range of 72–394 ng/mg-weight as essential element in the body and no difference was found in the sexes. The C1 chondrite normalization pattern for lanthanoid series elements in the millipede, soil and plant indicated that the environmental habitats were well protected from pollution. These characteristics of internal elements and metal accumulation in the millipede or relation to their habitats would be useful information for the environmental pollution studies.     

Medical application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for assessment of trace element and mineral in biosamples: Laboratory and clinical validity of the method

BackgroundBiomedical application is based on the use of LIBS-derived data on chemical contents of tissues in diagnosis of diseases, forensic investigation, as well as a mechanism for providing online feedback for laser surgery. Although LIBS has certain advantages, the issue of correlation of LIBS-derived data on chemical element content in different human and animal tissues with other methods, and especially ICP-MS, remains pertinent. The objective of the present review was to discuss the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for elemental analysis of human biosamples or tissues from experimental models of human diseases. Methods. A systematic search in the PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the terms laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, metals, trace elements, minerals, and names of particular chemical elements was performed up through 25 February, 2023. Of all extracted studies only those dealing with human subjects, human tissues, in vivo animal and in vitro cell line models of human diseases were reviewed in detail. Results. The majority of studies revealed a wide number of metals and metalloids in solid tissues including teeth (As, Ag, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Ni, P, Pb, Sn, Sr, Ti, and Zn), bones (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mg, Na, Pb, Sr), and nails (Al, As, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Pb, Si, Sr, Ti, Zn). At the same time, LIBS was also used for estimation of trace element and mineral content in hair (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn), blood (Al, Ca, Co, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si, Sn, Zn), cancer tissues (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Na, Zn) and other tissues. Single studies revealed satisfactory correspondence between quantitative LIBS and ICP-OES/MS data on the level of As (81–93 %), Pb (94–98 %), Cd (50–94 %) in teeth, Cu (97–105 %), Fe (117 %), Zn (88–117 %) in hair, Ca (97–99 %), Zn (90–95 %), and Pb (61–82 %) in kidney stones. LIBS also estimated specific patterns of trace element and mineral content associated with multiple pathologies, including caries, cancer, skin disorders, and other systemic diseases including diabetes mellitus type 2, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, etc. Data obtained from in situ tissue LIBS analysis were profitably used for discrimination between tissue types. Conclusions. Taken together, the existing data demonstrate the applicability of LIBS for medical studies, although further increase in its sensitivity, calibration range, cross-validation, and quality control is required.     

黔中石漠化区衰老退化与正常生长顶坛花椒根区土壤质量特征

为了探讨顶坛花椒(Zanthoxylum planispimum var. dintanensis)衰老退化的原因,实现林分稳定与可持续性经营,该文以开黄花为典型标志的衰老退化植株和正常生长的植株为研究对象,采用土壤农业化学和环境矿物学的方法,分析不同植株根区土壤矿质元素含量,评价土壤综合质量。结果表明:(1)正常生长植株根区土壤的C、P、K、S、Se、Sr、Mo、氧化物等总体水平显著高于衰老退化植株,总氮、速效磷、速效氮、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr无显著差异,其他元素的变化规律不明显。元素的有效态含量亦对植株生长产生影响。从植物营养需求角度看,大量、中量、微量元素均对土壤质量产生支配效应。(2)根区土壤质量指数表现为正常生长植株3最高、衰老退化植株1最低,说明土壤质量对顶坛花椒衰老退化具有影响。(3)顶坛花椒林分经营时,应培育良好的土壤结构,注重土壤养分的全面性和均衡性,关注矿质元素过低引起的亏缺效应。     

The reserve of weatherable primary silicates impacts the accumulation of biogenic silicon in volcanic ash soils

Banana plantlets (Musa acuminata cv Grande Naine) cultivated in hydroponics take up silicon proportionally to the concentration of Si in the nutrient solution (0–1.66 mM Si). Here we study the Si status of banana plantlets grown under controlled greenhouse conditions on five soils developed from andesitic volcanic ash, but differing in weathering stage. The mineralogical composition of soils was inferred from X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and selective chemical/mineralogical extractions. With increasing weathering, the content of weatherable primary minerals decreased. Conversely, clay content increased and stable secondary minerals were increasingly dominant: gibbsite, Fe oxides, allophane, halloysite and kaolinite. The contents of biogenic Si in plant and soil were governed by the reserve of weatherable primary minerals. The largest concentrations of biogenic Si in plant (6.9–7 g kg⁻¹) and soil (50–58 g kg⁻¹) occurred in the least weathered soils, where total Si content was above 225 g kg⁻¹. The lowest contents of biogenic Si in plant (2.8–4.3 g kg⁻¹) and soil (8–31 g kg⁻¹) occurred in the most weathered desilicated soils enriched with secondary oxides and clay minerals. Our data imply that soil weathering stage directly impacted the soil-to-plant transfer of silicon, and thereby the stock of biogenic Si in a soil–plant system involving a Si-accumulating plant. They further imply that soil type can influence the silicon soil–plant cycle and its hydrological output.     

Kinetic studies on surfactant production byPseudomonas aeruginosa 44T1

Summary Biosurfactant accumulation occurred in the exponential and stationary phases. Production started when the nitrogen level was very low. Surfactant was produced with a diauxic pattern. Rhamnolipid concentration increased as nitrogen levels increased. Maximum product yield (Y _p/x) 2.9 was detected when C/N ratio was 6.6 and specific rate of product formation (p _q) was calculated. The examination of these kinetics parameters such as product yield and specific rate of product formation should be taken into account to develop a high efficient production process.     

Photoperiod and root-zone temperature: Interacting effects on growth and mineral nutrients of maize

Factorial effects of photoperiod (6, 12 and 18 h) and root-zone temperatures (9, 15 and 21°C) on the growth and mineral nutrient concentration and partitioning in maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated. Strong interactions were observed between photoperiod and root-zone temperature on the growth and concentration of numerous mineral elements in the plant tops and roots. For example, a threefold increase in photoperiod (from 6 to 18 h) did not affect the growth of tops or roots if the root-zone temperature was 9°C but increased them each by eightfold if the root-zone temperature was 21°C. On the other hand, raising the root-zone temperature from 9 to 21°C increased the growth of tops and root each by ca. threefold when plants were grown with 6 h of light. At 18 h photoperiod, however, plant growth was increased 20- to 30-fold by the same rise in the root-zone temperature. The concentrations of different mineral elements in the roots and tops were affected quite differently by the interacting effects of photoperiod and root-zone temperature. In general, increasing the photoperiod at a given root-zone temperature decreased the concentrations of elements while increasing the root-zone temperature at a given photoperiod increased the concentrations of most elements in both roots and tops. The exceptions were K and B which reacted opposite to each other: K concentration in both tops and roots was relatively insensitive to photoperiod but very sensitive to root-zone temperature and the reverse was true for boron. The relative insensitivity of plant growth to increased day length as long as the roots are subjected to suboptimal (low) soil temperatures may have survival significance and point to the predominant role of root temperature over that of day length in the early growth of maize. A possible mechanism by which photoperiod and root-zone temperature might interactively alter the nutrient uptake by the roots is discussed.     

Betaine status in wheat in relation to nitrogen stress and to transient salinity stress

Summary Glycine betaine is readily accumulated in wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Inia) shoots during periods of salinity stress. The ability of the plant to utilize betaine as a source of nitrogen remains unresolved. We, therefore, conducted solution culture experiments in a greenhouse to test the hypothesis that betaine is degraded in wheat shoots under conditions of severe nitrogen deficiency. Betaine concentrations increased in continuously salt stressed plants for only 17 days after salinity was imposed. After this period, concentrations (dry weight basis) decreased steadily until plants died 32 days later. Decreases in betaine concentration were also observed in treatments where salinity stress was removed. The rate of decrease in concentration was greatest in the N-free treatment. These decreases in betaine concentration were the result of dilution by plant growth. Betaine contents (mol shoot^–1) remained unchanged after removal of substrate nitrate. Therefore our results support the hypothesis that betaine is a stable end product of metabolism.     

The ecological significance of the coarse soil fraction for Picea abies (L.) Karst. seedling nutrition

Elsholtzia splendens is a Cu-tolerant plant growing in copper mine areas in the south of China. In this study, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was used to investigate the Cu speciation and biotransformation in E. splendens with 300 μM Cu treatment from 10 days to 60 days. The results showed that 300 μM Cu was phytotoxic to E. spendens. The Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) revealed that most copper in roots, stems and leaves exists as divalent Cu. Cu speciation changed depending on the treatment time, but there was no unidirectional trend in roots, stems, and leaves. The percentages of potential Cu ligands in all samples were estimated by fitting the XANES spectra with linear combinations. Most Cu in roots, stems and leaves was bound with cell wall and histidine (His)-like ligands, while a minor proportion of the Cu was bound to oxalate and glutathione-like ligands. The fitting results of Cu K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EAXFS) showed that nitrogen/oxygen (N/O) ligands were dominant in roots, stems and leaves of the plant, while S ligands were rare. All these results suggest that Cu bound by N/O ligands plays a key role in Cu detoxification of E. splendens, and a role for classical metal-detoxifying S ligands, such as metallothioneins and phytochelatins, in Cu detoxification of E. splendens is not supported in the present study. Due to the phytotoxicity of 300 μM Cu to E. splendens, the question of whether S ligands play a significant role in Cu detoxification in E. splendens exposed to lower levels of Cu should be further studied.     

Free radical scavenging activity of Cleome gynandra L. leaves on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats

The generation of free radicals has been implicated in the causation of several diseases of known and unknown etiologies such as, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, cancer, etc., and compounds that can scavenge free radicals have great potential in ameliorating these disease processes. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible anti-oxidant potential of Cleome gynandra leaf extract at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight for 30 days on adjuvant induced arthritis in experimental rats. Oral administration of C. gynandra leaf extract significantly increased the levels of lipid peroxides and activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and decreased the levels of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity in arthritis induced rats. The free radical scavenging activity of the plant was further evidenced by histological observations made on the limb tissue. The presence of biologically active ingredients and vital trace elements in the leaves readily account for free radical scavenging property of C. gynandra. (Mol Cell Biochem 276: 71–80, 2005)