Journal of trace elements and minerals最新文献

{"title":"Corn (Zea mays L.) production and chlorophyll fluorescence affected by drought stress, N fertilization, and genotype","authors":"Mansour Halimi Soufi,&nbsp;Hamid Reza Mobasser,&nbsp;Ahmad Mehraban,&nbsp;Hamid Reza Ganjali,&nbsp;Khaled Miri","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Corn (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) physiology and production in drought stress conditions may be importantly affected by soil N and plant genotype.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>So, more has yet to be indicated on how drought stress and N fertilization may affect production and chlorophyll florescence of corn genotypes as the objective of the present research.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The experiment was a split plot on the basis of a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates conducted in two research sites in 2020. Drought stress levels (main plots) including irrigation after 70 mm evaporation from evaporating pan Class A, irrigation stoppage at flowering, grain filling and both flowering and grain filling, N chemical fertilization (sub plots) including control (0), 100, 200, 300 kg ha^-1 and corn genotypes (sub-sub plots) including Kusha 201 (G1), Fajr 260 (G2), and Dehghan 400 (G3) were tested. Different corn morphological (cob diameter, CDM), yield (biological yield, BY, and harvest index, HI) and florescence indices (Fo, Fm, Fv, and Fv/Fm) were determined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Although drought stress significantly decreased CDM, biological yield, and fluorescence indices, N fertilization (N300) alleviated the stress and G1 had higher BY, and G3 had less CDM (medium) and higher HI and Fo. The significant interaction of drought stress and N fertilization indicates, depending on the level of drought stress, the response of corn genotypes to N fertilization is different.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Depending on stress intensity, determination of appropriate level of N feralization and genotype may result in the most optimum yield production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143703977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive assessment of trace element pollution and its distribution in surface and groundwater around the Ishwardi export processing zone, Bangladesh","authors":"Nitu Islam ,&nbsp;A. H. M. Selim Reza ,&nbsp;Md. Abdur Rahman ,&nbsp;Md. Shazzadur Rahman","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Due to industrial development and rapid urbanization, the discharge of industrial effluents significantly impacts the environment and ecosystems, particularly affecting surface and groundwater systems. This study assesses trace element contamination near the Ishwardi Export Processing Zone (IEPZ) in Bangladesh, with the aim of evaluating trace element concentrations in both surface and groundwater and their potential environmental impacts in and around the IEPZ.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Fourteen samples, including industrial waste, groundwater, and river water, were collected from the IEPZ. The concentrations of trace elements like Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Co in the collected samples were measured. Statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA), were performed with a confidence level of 95 % and a significance threshold of <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Results and discussion</h3><div>Levels of Pb, Cu, and Ni exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in some samples, with Pb ranging from 4.3 to 34.3 µg <span>l</span>^-1, indicating potential health risks. The Contamination Index (Cd) varied from -2.696 to 0.277, reflecting low contamination, while the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was 1.603, suggesting generally satisfactory water quality. PCA highlighted two components which explained 36.182 % and 28.161 % cumulative variance for PCA1 and PCA2, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study investigates the impact of industrial effluent discharge on surface and groundwater quality around the IEPZ, Bangladesh. Among the trace elements, Pb showed the highest concentration, likely due to battery recycling/manufacturing at one of the factories in the IEPZ. The wastewater flows into nearby rivers and also leaches into the surrounding groundwater. These findings emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring and improved waste management to mitigate the environmental impacts of industrial discharges in the IEPZ.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100238"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative effect of dietary fortification of raw and roasted seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) on fertility biomolecules in cisplatin-induced spermatotoxic rats","authors":"Seun Funmilola Akomolafe ,&nbsp;Mary Aderonke Bola Ogundare ,&nbsp;Ibikunle Akinlua ,&nbsp;Oluwadamilare Oluwaseun Ajayi ,&nbsp;Elijah Olalekan Odesanmi ,&nbsp;Olusola Bolaji Adewale","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Cisplatin is a known chemotherapeutic/anticancer drug, reported to induce oxidative stress, a major risk factor in male infertility. However, studies have shown that dietary pattern plays a pivotal role in the protection of chemotherapy-induced testicular damage, and till date no report on the comparative effect of raw and roasted pumpkin seeds against chemotherapy-induced male infertility and reproductive dysfunction. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate how raw and roasted pumpkin seed enriched diets affect reproductive function biomarkers in adult male Wistar rats that had been exposed to a single dose (7 mgkg^-1 i.p) of cisplatin-induced testicular damage.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Rats were fed with basal diets (CTRL), cisplatin-induced rats fed with basal diet (CIS); cisplatin-induced rats fed diet supplemented with raw (5 % and 10 %) and cisplatin-induced rats fed roasted (5 % and 10 %) pumpkin seeds for 14 days. A single administration of cisplatin was done 14th day after treatment with supplemented diet, and the rats were euthanized 24 h later for the evaluation of reproductive hormones, epidydimal sperm parameters, nitric oxide level, testicular and epididymal total thiol level and non-protein thiol level, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and steroidogenic enzymes activities.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Reproductive hormones, epidydimal sperm parameters, and both testicular and epididymal levels of nitric oxide, total thiol and non-protein thiol, as well as glutathione-S-transferase, catalase and steroidogenic enzyme activities were significantly elevated (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), with a reduction in arginase activity, and levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in testes and epididymis of cisplatin- spermatotoxic rats pre-fed with pumpkin seed in comparison with untreated cisplatin-induced testicular damage rats. Testes architectures were efficiently restored in cisplatin-intoxicated rats pre-fed with pumpkin seed. In the immunohistochemistry assay, there were fewer caspase-3 expressions in cisplatin-intoxicated rats pre-fed with roasted pumpkin seed than in those pre-treated with raw pumpkin seed and untreated cisplatin-intoxicated group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The ameliorative effects of raw and roasted pumpkin seeds on various biochemical parameters associated with fertility may suggest its role in enhancing male fertility in rats exposed to cisplatin. However, the roasted pumpkin seeds was noted to possess more ameliorative effect than raw seed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100236"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143683012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metallic contaminants in foodstuff consumed in Algeria and associated health risks: A systematic review","authors":"Anissa ZERGUI ,&nbsp;Akli Islam CHEBLI ,&nbsp;Mohamed Amine KERDOUN ,&nbsp;Fatiha HAMITRI-GUERFI ,&nbsp;Rahma MAYOUF ,&nbsp;Houaria TOUER ,&nbsp;Bilel CHEFIRAT ,&nbsp;Sofiane BOUDALIA","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>For decades, metallic trace elements contamination in food has posed a significant public health risk, as these metals accumulate in the body, affecting food safety and human health. This review examines the toxicity of trace elements in foodstuffs, focusing on their contamination sources and the associated health risks.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>Keywords such as Algeria, Food, Beverages, trace elements, and Metallic Contaminants were used to search related databases.</div></div><div><h3>Results and discussion</h3><div>A total of 22 original articles were reviewed. Data showed that trace elements were recorded in foodstuffs, which were related to geographic location (proximity to mining, industrial or highway areas), use of pesticides, and techniques in food processing. In adults, Targeted Hazard Quotient (THQ) values exceeded 1 for lead in raw cow milk, aluminum in coffee beans and packaged coffee, cadmium and aluminum in coffee capsules, and lead in fruits and vegetables. The Hazard Index (HI) was above 1 for raw cow milk, coffee, and fruits and vegetables. For infants, THQ values also exceeded 1 for raw cow milk, poultry eggs, honey, and food dyes, with elevated HI values for these items as well. These results suggest potential adverse health effects of trace elements exposure from consuming these foodstuffs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>It is crucial to regularly update data and conduct ongoing monitoring to assess the impact of trace elements in future research. Additionally, continued investigation into the long-term health effects of chronic low-level trace elements exposure will be vital for creating more precise mitigation strategies and regulatory policies to reduce metallic contamination in food.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143645027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Availability and mobilisation of potentially harmful elements in contaminated mining sites: A systematic review of using soil amendments and plants for remediation","authors":"Albert Kobina Mensah ,&nbsp;Ephraim Sekyi-Annan ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Amoakwah","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Environmental contamination in Ghana constitutes both a political and sustainability challenge. This study offers a contemporary analysis of the influence and prevalence of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in the environment related to mining activities. Additionally, we examine soil remediation initiatives and research conducted in the previous decade to tackle soil contamination and pollution issues within the mining industry.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>The study focused on peer-reviewed publications in the last decade (i.e., 2014–2024) identified in the Scopus database. The search included articles written in English at the final stage of publication and all open-access content, including those published in gold. The study context was in Ghana. A total of 185 publications related to topics such as biochar, iron oxides, compost, charcoal, phytoremediation, organic amendments, inorganic fertilisers, and soil amendments were identified within the aforementioned time frame.</div></div><div><h3>Results and discussions</h3><div>We found 2,175 global document results from 2014 to 2024 related to soil amendments and phytoremediation for remediating harmful elements in mine-soils. We identified 524 documents in Ghana, which accounted for 24% of global research articles on these topics. The 185 studies that were included made up 35% of all studies on mine-contaminated soils in Ghana that used organic amendments and phytoremediation strategies. Consequently, the 185 documents constituted 9% of all research articles published in the world.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and implications</h3><div>We emphasise the importance of implementing strategies to mitigate PHE contamination to protect the health of humans, plants, and animals. Overall, green remediation can effectively tackle PHEs contamination problems, minimise the spread of metals and metalloids in the food chain, prevent their transfer into surface water and groundwater resources, and ensure a clean environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143683083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insights into the interplay among zinc, biological aging, fasting, energy intake, and inflammation: A cross-sectional analysis using 2015-2018 NHANES participants","authors":"Rebecca Lake ,&nbsp;Juan Liuzzi ,&nbsp;Changwon Yoo","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100233","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100233","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Although it is documented that zinc plays an essential role in immune function, little is known about its relationship to factors that influence biological aging. The primary objective of this study is to investigate how fasting status, total energy intake, and carbohydrate intake interfaces with dietary zinc intake and acute inflammation status via HS-CRP in young adults.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A nationally representative sample of 1,211 adults (ages 19-35 years old) from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles was included in this cross-sectional analysis. The data derived from the first and secondary dietary recall, fasting questionnaire, physical examination, and bloodwork collected at the Mobile Examination Center. HS-CRP levels were associated with dietary zinc intake and either fasting status, energy intake, and or carbohydrate intake while adjusting for WBC count, choline intake, folate intake, BMI, and gender. Survey weighted generalized linear models were constructed and the Rao-Scott likelihood ratio test was implemented via the <em>survey</em> package in R.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A two-way interaction effect was identified between the variables Adequate Zinc Intake, defined as consuming at least 8 mg of zinc per day and Fasted defined as fasting for 9 or more hours, which was associated with a reduction in circulating HS-CRP (OR = 0.56, 95 % CI: 0.33-0.96, <em>p</em> = 0.038). Fasting was associated with higher levels of HS-CRP (OR = 1.76, 95 % CI: 1.12-2.76, <em>p</em> = 0.016). No other models were significant.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Short-term fasting was associated with an increase in HS-CRP; however, adequate zinc intake during fasting may lower circulating levels of HS-CR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143739422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multivariate optimization for the development of a sample preparation procedure and evaluation of trace elements in plastic toys","authors":"Dayara Virgínia Lino Ávila ,&nbsp;Sidnei Oliveira Souza ,&nbsp;João Batista Pereira Junior ,&nbsp;Victor Cerdà ,&nbsp;Rennan Geovanny Oliveira Araujo","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Due to the rigidity and resistance caused by formation of bonds between polymer chains, plastic toys are complex matrices.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study was Doehlert design for reagent optimization proportions employing microwave-assisted digestion of plastic toy samples. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was applied to determine the concentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Arsenic and Sb concentrations were determined employing hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) coupled with a multisyringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA) system.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Plastic toy samples of different colors and shapes were analyzed. Accuracy and precision were measured through analysis of certified reference material of Loamy Clay 1 (CRM 052 – Trace Metals - Loamy Clay 1) along with addition and recovery tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The limits of quantification varied between 0.03 (Cd and Mn) and 0.70 mg kg⁻¹ (Sb). All plastic toy samples exhibited concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Sb within the maximum limits established by Brazilian Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (<em>Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia</em> – INMETRO). The concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, and Ni were below the maximum limits of the Brazilian safety legislation. However, the concentration of Pb in a toy sample was higher than allowed according to European legislation (2009/48/CE), while other elemental concentrations followed European legislation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The analytical capacity for spectroanalytical techniques as such ICP OES and MAFIA-HG-AFS was adequate in determining trace elements (Co, Cu, and Mn) and potentially toxic (As, Cd, Cr, Sb, Ni and Pb). It showed an excellent application for the analysis of plastic toys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100226"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of hydro-geochemical processes controlling groundwater quality in Balkh center (Mazar-e-Sharif), northern Afghanistan","authors":"Asadullah Farahmand ,&nbsp;Abdulhalim Zaryab ,&nbsp;Nasrullah Ameri ,&nbsp;Shakir Ali ,&nbsp;Mohammad Naim Eqrar","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Groundwater in Afghanistan stands as the predominant water source employed for potable consumption, household utilization, irrigation, and industrial applications. Major cities of Afghanistan are largely dependent on groundwater resources. However, the groundwater quality of major cities in Afghanistan, including Mazar-e-Sharif city was not investigated in detail.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the hydrochemical characteristics of the Mazar-e-Sharif groundwater, identify the factors influencing groundwater quality, and evaluate the groundwater contamination sources.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 18 groundwater samples were collected during the dry season (June 2020) and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters. Methods such as multivariate statistical analyses, geochemical modeling, water quality index (WQI), and spatial distribution of groundwater quality were employed to evaluate the hydro-geochemistry of the study area.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results reveal that <strong>1)</strong> The prevailing groundwater within the study area is predominantly characterized by Na-(Ca)-HCO₃ and Ca-(Mg)-SO₄ water types. <strong>2)</strong> Physicochemical variables such as NO₃⁻, F⁻, TDS, and SO₄²⁻ exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limits in many wells. <strong>3)</strong> Hydro-geochemical processes such as silicate weathering, cation exchange, and gypsum dissolution controls the groundwater chemistry. <strong>4)</strong> Cl/Br ratios reveal, that high salinity may originate from evaporitic lacustrine and evaporite deposits and found to be localized in nature. <strong>5)</strong> The Water Quality Index (WQI) classification suggests that approximately 60 % of the groundwater samples fall into poor to very poor water quality categories, highlighting substantial public health concerns. Major contaminants like nitrate and fluoride were found to be higher than the safe limit in nearly half of the samples.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings of this study hold value for decision-makers in formulating a proficient strategy for the management of groundwater resources in Mazar-e-Sharif City in achieving the UN sustainable goal (SDG) of providing sustainable water for all. Furthermore, new advanced techniques like environmental isotopes should be analyzed to evaluate groundwater hydro-chemical evolution in the future to enhance our understanding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143631854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alfalfa seeds biofortification with zinc for production of enriched sprouts","authors":"Marco Antonio Alves de Paula ,&nbsp;Rafael Giovanini de Lima ,&nbsp;Paulo Sérgio Monteiro ,&nbsp;Fabrícia Queiroz Mendes ,&nbsp;Hudson Wallace Pereira de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Willian Rodrigues Macedo","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hidden hunger is considered a dilemma, especially in developing countries. The scarcity of micronutrients causes severe health problems by weaking the population's immune system. Biofortified food can mitigate the harm of this problem by assisting specially less favored persons that cannot afford supplements.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the biofortification of alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) seeds with zinc (Zn) through osmotic conditioning as a strategy to produce enriched sprouts that contribute to human mineral nutrition and adopt modern analytical tools to verify Zn absorption in seedlings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Four rates of Zn were tested: 0 mmol l^-1, 0.005 mmol l^-1, 0.010 mmol l^-1, and 0.015 mmol l^-1 of Zn as ZnSO₄·7H₂O. Sprout mass (g), root length (cm) and shoot length (cm), germination rate (%), germination speed index, and Zn concentration in the sprouts were evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant differences between treatments were observed for sprout mass and germination speed index. However, increases were noticed for root growth and germination rate at estimated doses of 0.0091 and 0.0099 mmol l^-1 of Zn, respectively. X-ray fluorescence analysis showed Zn concentrations as follows: 134, 176, 208, and 288 μg g^-1 for the 0, 0.005, 0.010, and 0.015 mmol l^-1 of Zn treatments, respectively. Biofortification proved a viable tool for plant shoot enrichment, with doses close to 0.010 mmol l^-1 of Zn resulting in superior plant development and adequate Zn accumulation in the sprouts.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Osmotic conditioning has proven to be a technological process capable of assisting in food biofortification, and X-ray fluorescence is an adequate analytical tool to measure mineral elements in plant-based food.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100230"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143645028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Product Quality Research Institute elemental impurity interlaboratory study: Results and implications for industry","authors":"James M. Harrington ,&nbsp;Donna S. Seibert ,&nbsp;Glenn Williams ,&nbsp;Thanh Nguyen ,&nbsp;Denise McClenathan ,&nbsp;Stephen W. Erickson","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Pharmaceutical laboratories experienced a paradigm shift in drug product elemental impurity (EI) expectations in International Council on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Guideline Q3D and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapters &lt;232&gt;/&lt;233&gt;. These guidelines describe a risk-based approach to EI analysis. Few systematic evaluations of interlaboratory performance on EI analysis in pharmaceutics have been conducted following these guidelines. Our goal is to address key technical challenges faced by laboratories during the implementation of these regulations.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>We organized an interlaboratory study using standardized samples and methodology to assess sample preparation and analysis variability. Participants performed microwave-assisted acid preparation of simulated pharmaceutical products and analyzed Class 1 and 2A EI's by inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Several laboratories performed X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for comparison.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>ICP-MS reproducibility was high both within and between laboratories, except for Hg and V. Exhaustive extraction and total digestion were generally comparable, between 87 and 111 % for As, Cd, Co, and Pb. Total digestion exhibited lower variability than exhaustive extraction. Two types of microwave systems produced comparable results for most elements except Hg and Pb. The summation approach was comparable to direct analysis of tablets except for Hg and Cd, but summation demonstrated greater variability. XRF showed good agreement with ICP-MS and low replicate variability within labs.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion and Conclusions</h3><div>While the results were generally favorable, they demonstrate that some technical challenges remain to be addressed related to standardizing laboratory practices including interference correction strategies and selection of preparation methods. We discuss implications for method transfer between laboratories.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100227"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}