Biological Trace Element Research最新文献

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) are notable unconventional edible flowers (UEFs) that have traditionally been used as food and in herbal preparations. This study examined the in vitro bioaccessibility content of six elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) in edible flower capsules sold in Brazil. Acid digestion in a closed system and microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES) were employed, as well as simulated gastrointestinal digestion according to the INFOGEST 2.0 in vitro protocol. Additionally, we examined the contribution of the in vitro bioaccessible fraction (FBio) in relation to the recommended daily intake (RDI). The concentrations (in µg g⁻¹) of the target elements were as follows: Cr (< 0.46-2.82), Cu (< 0.48-11.45), Fe (159.44-1880.90), Mn (48.94-441.34), Ni (< 0.44-3.21), and Zn (< 0.55-30.98). The FBio of the evaluated elements ranged from 0.13% to 14.31%. Although Fe had high total levels, its bioaccessibility was limited, contributing only 0.13%. In contrast, Mn and Ni exhibited high gastrointestinal release, accounting for 12.13% and 14.31% of the FBio, respectively. Mn showed high gastrointestinal release, providing up to 209.3% of the RDI. This study is the first to specifically evaluate the bioaccessible trace element content of these edible flowers using the INFOGEST 2.0 in vitro protocol and MIP OES to assess microelements. Overall, the results highlight the importance of incorporating chemical composition and bioaccessibility data into the multi-element characterization of dandelion and hibiscus.

The trace element boron is a bioactive and potentially essential element for humans with a broad range of physiological effects. While dietary sources of boron are well known, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding boron intake in special dietary patterns. We estimated dietary boron intake and quantified urinary boron excretion in long-term lacto-ovo-vegetarians, vegans and omnivores in Germany. Dietary intake was estimated using weighed food diaries linked to existing databases. Boron excretion was measured using 24-hour urine samples. Differences between diet groups were compared using non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis H test). The sample included 89 participants, including 28 lacto-ovo-vegetarians and 29 vegans. Vegans had the highest median boron intake (1913.38 (interquartile range: 1467.11-2615.14) µg/d), followed by lacto-ovo-vegetarians (1654.36 (1249.75-2366.01) µg/d) and omnivores (1515.35 (944.33-2067.52) µg/d). Interindividual boron intake varied largely, and ranged from 657.09 to 5835.74 µg/d. No participant exceeded the European Food Safety Authority tolerable upper intake level for boron (10 mg/day). Creatinine-corrected urinary boron excretion was highest in vegans (1559.20 (1150.62-2057.23) µg/g creatinine), followed by lacto-ovo-vegetarians (1235.40 (877.96-1814.61) µg/g creatinine) and omnivores (919.34 (639.18-1380.97) µg/g creatinine). Strong correlations between boron intakes and 24-hour urinary excretion were found in vegans (r = 0.79) and omnivores (r = 0.74) with p-values < 0.001 for both. The correlation in lacto-ovo-vegetarians was less pronounced (r = 0.43). A higher urinary boron excretion was associated with a higher excretion of potassium in all dietary patterns and specifically phosphorus in vegans (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Our data suggest that boron intake varies across different dietary patterns. We provide first insights in boron status in German lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans.

Spirulina is a cyanobacterium widely used in nutraceutical products; however, the presence of trace elements in spirulina-derived products has motivated the evaluation of both its nutritional contribution and potential toxicological risks. This study determined essential (Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Mn, Cu, and Li) and toxic elements (As, Cd, and Pb) in commercially available spirulina-derived products from Argentina, including powders, capsules, and tablets. Samples were analyzed by flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Among the quantified analytes, K and P were the most abundant, followed by Na, Mg, Ca, and Fe, whereas Cu was detected at lower concentrations. Li was not detected, and Mn was quantifiable in only a limited number of samples. Arsenic was below detection limits, while Cd and Pb were detected at trace levels. Powders generally exhibited higher and more homogeneous elemental concentrations than capsules and tablets, with tablets showing the lowest concentrations. Estimated nutritional contribution was evaluated assuming a standardized intake of 1 g of spirulina-derived product day⁻¹. Under this intake scenario, Fe showed the highest contribution (3-4% of recommended intake), whereas the remaining elements contributed only marginally. Risk assessment based on estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) suggested no significant non-carcinogenic risk. The analyzed products provided only a limited contribution to most daily mineral requirements while remaining associated with low estimated exposure to toxic elements.

This study examined baseline trace element exposure in poultry and duck eggs consumed in Bangladesh and assessed the impact of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) washing on microbial decontamination and eggshell membrane integrity. Fifteen elements were measured in yolk, albumen, and whole egg samples using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Most elements were below maximum allowable concentrations; however, Pb and Cr exceeded permissible limits in some whole egg samples. Despite this, exposure-related risks, including estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target carcinogenic risk (TCR), remained within acceptable limits for both adults and children. Multivariate analyses, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), revealed distinct clustering patterns and relationships among elements across different egg parts and species. In addition, eggs were treated with 0-200 ppm NaOCl to evaluate microbial reduction and structural effects on the eggshell membrane. NaOCl treatment significantly reduced total bacterial and fungal loads, with 150 and 200 ppm reducing cultivable microorganisms to below the detection limit (10 CFU g⁻¹). Moderate NaOCl levels effectively enhanced microbial safety, while higher concentrations caused oxidative modifications and structural deterioration of the eggshell membrane.

Manganese is an essential trace element with known immunomodulatory properties, yet the effects of organic manganese supplementation on disease resistance in poultry remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the safety and immunoprotective efficacy of orally administered manganese gluconate in yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 120 seven-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to four groups and orally administered either vehicle control or manganese gluconate at 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. No adverse health responses were observed across all treatment groups, confirming the safety of manganese gluconate within this dosage range. At the optimal dosage, manganese gluconate significantly promoted splenic lymphocyte proliferation (CCK-8 assay), upregulated the expression of key cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α), improved serum antioxidant status (T-AOC, T-SOD, GSH-PX, MDA), enhanced specific anti-S. aureus IgG production, and strengthened peritoneal macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of S. aureus. Following intraperitoneal challenge with S. aureus Newman strain (1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/bird), manganese gluconate effectively reduced bacterial colonization in the liver, spleen, and kidney, and improved the survival rate of infected broilers. These findings demonstrate that manganese gluconate is a safe and effective nutritional supplement that enhances immune function and increases resistance to bacterial infection in broiler production.

Potentially toxic metals (PTMs) can be transferred from mothers to infants through breast milk (BM), representing an important route of early-life exposure. Although PTM concentrations in breast milk have been extensively investigated, relatively few studies have evaluated the environmental determinants associated with these concentrations, particularly in prospective birth cohorts from socially vulnerable populations. This study aimed to determine PTM concentrations in BM and identify environmental, sociodemographic, and dietary determinants associated with these concentrations among lactating women from the prospective Socioenvironmental Determinants of Child Neurodevelopment at 12 Months (DSAN-12 M) birth cohort in northeastern Brazil. BM samples were collected from 48 exclusively breastfeeding women and analyzed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Independent determinants of BM metal concentrations were investigated using multivariable linear regression models. Median concentrations (µg/L) were 1.22 for As, 0.42 for Cd, 3.58 for Hg, 5.56 for Mn, and 14.34 for Pb. Over 65% exceeded internationally proposed reference values for As, Hg, Mn, and Pb, whereas 25% exceeded the reference value for Cd. Household water supply was independently associated with Pb and Mn concentrations, household waste burning with Mn concentrations, and municipality of residence with Hg concentrations after multivariable adjustment. These findings indicate widespread co-exposure to multiple PTMs among lactating women in this socially vulnerable population and suggest that structural environmental conditions are important determinants of maternal exposure. Strengthening environmental infrastructure, human biomonitoring, and environmental health policies may reduce maternal and infant exposure to PTMs.

Intestinal barrier homeostasis is closely associated with coordinated signaling between mitochondria and lysosomes. Although our previous studies demonstrated the barrier-protective effects of biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), the inter-organelle signaling mechanisms underlying this protection under dual-organelle stress remain unclear. In the present study, we established a targeted dual-injury model in IPEC-J2 cells using chloroquine (CQ) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) to investigate the signaling events governing mitochondria-lysosome communication. Combined exposure to CQ and DNP profoundly disrupted organelle homeostasis, as evidenced by severe adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial superoxide production, impaired lysosomal acidification, and altered autophagy-related processes. These synergistic insults ultimately promoted apoptosis, induced tight junction disassembly, and increased epithelial permeability. Notably, SeNPs pretreatment significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of key selenoproteins, including SELENOF, SELENOS, and SELENOP, and restored the activities of the selenium-dependent antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). This restoration of antioxidant capacity attenuated intracellular ROS and mitochondrial superoxide accumulation and restored the bioenergetic support required for autophagy-related processes and lysosomal acidification. Mechanistically, restoration of intracellular redox homeostasis by SeNPs prevented oxidative stress-induced dissociation of the TBC1D15/Rab7/Fis1 complex, a key tethering axis involved in mitochondria-lysosome communication. Stabilization of this complex was accompanied by improved autophagy-lysosome homeostasis and preservation of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that biogenic SeNPs preserve intestinal epithelial barrier integrity under dual-organelle stress by enhancing selenoprotein-mediated antioxidant defense, thereby stabilizing mitochondria-lysosome tethering and restoring inter-organelle communication.

This study evaluated the proximate composition, fatty acid profile, mineral composition, and heavy metal contamination of brown bear (Ursus arctos) muscle, with emphasis on its nutritional quality and potential health risks for consumers. Muscle samples (musculus semimembranosus and musculus triceps brachii; n = 10) obtained from free-ranging individuals in Slovakia were analysed using validated analytical methods. Brown bear muscle was characterised by high protein content (~ 22.5 g/100 g) and low intramuscular fat content (< 1 g/100 g), confirming its lean nutritional profile. The fatty acid composition was dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids, followed by saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Lipid quality indices indicated favourable nutritional properties, including low atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and a PUFA/SFA ratio above recommended nutritional thresholds. However, the relatively high n-6/n-3 ratio reflected the omnivorous feeding ecology and seasonal physiological status of the analysed animals. Iron and zinc represented the predominant trace minerals, highlighting the nutritional value of the analysed muscle tissue. Most toxic elements (As, Cr, Cd, Hg) remained below analytical detection or quantification thresholds and were therefore interpreted descriptively. Lead (Pb) was detected at low mean concentrations; however, substantial inter-individual variability resulted in sporadically elevated values, most likely associated with secondary contamination from bullet fragments. Exposure assessment based on consumption of a 100 g portion and an upper-bound approach for left-censored data indicated negligible toxicological relevance for Cd and Hg, whereas Pb exposure increased considerably under maximum exposure scenarios. Overall, brown bear muscle represents a nutritionally valuable food source; however, continued monitoring of Pb contamination in game meat remains warranted.

In many developing countries, including Nigeria, incineration of hospital waste remains a major waste treatment option, yet it is a significant factor contributing to occupational exposure to heavy metal emissions. This study investigated the concentration of selected heavy metals in blood plasma of workers that are occupationally exposed to hospital waste incinerator emissions in Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Sixty-four (64) venous blood samples were collected and analyzed. Forty-two (42) were the exposed group and twenty-two (22) were the non-exposed group. The mean concentration of metals in blood plasma followed the order Fe > Cu > Cr > Zn > Cd > Ni > Co > As > Pb > Hg. There exists a significance difference (p < 0.05) between exposed and the non-exposed groups. The concentration of Cd, Hg, Pb, As, and Ni were observed to be elevated among the occupationally exposed workers. There was a strong inter-elemental correlation between Cd-Cu (r = 0.80), Cu-Fe (r = 0.79), and Pb-As (r = 0.70). This study revealed higher accumulation among younger workers (≤ 30 years) and female participants. This study presents biomonitoring evidence that hospital waste incineration in low-resource settings contributes to occupational exposure to toxic heavy metals. The findings from this study emphasize the need for routine biomonitoring of occupationally exposed workers and eco-friendly technologies that will mitigate the toxic effect of hospital waste incineration and its health risks.

Iron, although present in trace amounts, is a crucial micronutrient in the human body. It plays a significant role in essential bodily functions such as oxygen transport and energy metabolism. For athletes, particularly those engaged in endurance activities with high oxygen demands, iron is an indispensable nutrient. Despite its importance, a notable number of athletes experience iron deficiency. Research has suggested a connection between exercise performance and iron regulation, leading to increased focus on how these two factors interact. The aim of this study was to investigate how various types of exercise affect the body's iron reserves, the specific iron needs associated with different forms of physical activity, and the prevalence of iron deficiency linked to chronic inflammation.