The mineral composition of cells, tissues, and organs is decisive for the functioning of the organisms, and is at the same time an indicator for understanding of physiological processes. We measured the composition of the ionome in the different tissues of maize kernels by element microanalysis, with special emphasis on silicon (Si). We therefore also measured the expression levels of the Si tr...

Phosphorus (P) in plants is taken from soil as an inorganic phosphate (Pi) and is one of the most important macroelements in growth and development. Plants actively react to Pi starvation by the induced expression of Pi transporters, MIR399, MIR827, and miR399 molecular sponge - IPS1 genes and by the decreased expression of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (PHOSPHATE2 - PHO2) and Pi sensing ...

We explored two methods for obtaining aqueous extracts: boiling and soaking of Baltic seaweeds (EB and ES, resp.). Algal extracts were characterized in terms of polyphenols, micro- and macroelements, lipids content, and antibacterial properties. The utilitarian properties were examined in the germination tests on Lepidium sativum for three extract dilutions (0.5, 2.5, and 10%). It was found tha...

In the past two decades public interest in herbal products has increased significantly in Europe, especially in the plant-based products from non-European traditions. Eleutherococcus senticosus has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Eleutherococcus senticosus fruits intractum was examined for the content of phenolic acids (LC-ESI-MS/MS), ...

The concentrations of essential metal cations in gastric juice, collected at endoscopy from 17 normal patients and 11 with peptic ulcer disease, were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Mean fasting levels in normal gastric juice were as follows: sodium 47.7 mM, potassium 14.6 mM, calcium 0.8 mM, magnesium 0.36 mM, zinc 13 microM, and copper 1.2 microM: these did not...

Elemental homeostasis has been largely characterized using three important elements that were part of the Redfield ratio (i.e., carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus). These efforts have revealed substantial diversity in homeostasis among taxonomic groups and even within populations. Understanding the evolutionary basis, and ecological consequences of such diversity is a central challenge. Here, we prop...

The heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) content of some edible wild mushrooms (Amanita caesarea, Amanita rubescens, Amanita vaginata, Amanita spissa) and soil samples, of ten sites from Dambovita county Romania, were analyzed. Elements concentrations were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption (FAA) spectrometry and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXRF) in 40 samples of Amanita ...

Changes of various mineral elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Na) contents in roots and leaves of S. sagittifolia were studied with treatment of different Cu2+ concentrations (5 μM, 10 μM, 20 μM and 40 μM) after 15 days. The results showed that: 1) Cu accumulated in roots of S. sagittifolia in large quantities, while Cu content in leaves showed no significant change; 2) It can be seen from ...

Amanita ponderosa are wild edible mushrooms that grow in some microclimates of Iberian Peninsula. Gastronomically this species is very relevant, due to not only the traditional consumption by the rural populations but also its commercial value in gourmet markets. Mineral characterisation of edible mushrooms is extremely important for certification and commercialization processes. In this study,...