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Seyfferth AL, Limmer MA, Runkle BRK, Chaney RL. Mitigating Toxic Metal Exposure Through Leafy Greens: A Comprehensive Review Contrasting Cadmium and Lead in Spinach. GEOHEALTH 2024; 8:e2024GH001081. [PMID: 38887469 PMCID: PMC11181011 DOI: 10.1029/2024gh001081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Metals and metalloids (hereafter, metal(loid)s) in plant-based foods are a source of exposure to humans, but not all metal(loid)-food interactions are the same. Differences exist between metal(loid)s in terms of their behavior in soils and in how they are taken up by plants and stored in the edible plant tissue/food. Thus, there cannot be one consistent solution to reducing toxic metal(loid)s exposure to humans from foods. In addition, how metal(loid)s are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the human body differs based on both the metal(loid), other elements and nutrients in the food, and the nutritional status of the human. Initiatives like the United States Food and Drug Administration's Closer to Zero initiative to reduce the exposure of young children to the toxic elements cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury from foods warrant careful consideration of each metal(loid) and plant interaction. This review explores such plant-metal(loid) interactions using the example of spinach and the metals cadmium and lead. This review highlights differences in the magnitude of exposure, bioavailability, and the practicality of mitigation strategies while outlining research gaps and future needs. A focus on feasibility and producer needs, informed via stakeholder interviews, emphasizes the need for better analytical testing facilities and grower and consumer education. More research should focus on minimization of chloride inputs for leafy greens to lessen plant-availability of Cd and the role of oxalate in reducing Cd bioavailability from spinach. These findings are applicable to other leafy greens (e.g., kale, lettuce), but not for other plants or metal(loid)s.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matt A. Limmer
- Department of Plant and Soil SciencesUniversity of DelawareNewarkDEUSA
| | - Benjamin R. K. Runkle
- Department of Biological and Agricultural EngineeringUniversity of ArkansasFayettevilleARUSA
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Ramezani M, Thompson D, Moreno M, Joshi V. Biochemical repercussions of light spectra on nitrogen metabolism in spinach ( Spinacia oleracea) under a controlled environment. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1283730. [PMID: 38179482 PMCID: PMC10765523 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1283730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Selecting appropriate light spectra of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and optimal nutrient composition fertilizers has become integral to commercial controlled environment agriculture (CEA) platforms. Methods This study explored the impact of three LED light regimes (BR: Blue17%, Green 4%, Red 63%, Far-Red 13% and infrared 3%, BGR; Blue 20%, Green 23%, Red 47%, Far-Red 8% and infrared 2%; and GR; Blue 25%, Green 41%, Red 32%, and Far-Red 2%) and nitrogen levels (3.6 and 14.3 mM N) on spinach (Spinacea oleracea). Results Under limited nitrogen (3.6 mM), BGR light increased the fresh shoot (32%) and root (39%) biomass than BR, suggesting additional green light's impact on assimilating photosynthates under suboptimal nitrogen availability. Reduced chlorophyll (a and b) and carotenoid accumulation, electron transport rate (ETR), and higher oxalates under limited nitrogen availability highlighted the adverse effects of red light (BR) on spinach productivity. Increased activities of nitrogen-associated enzymes (GOGAT; Glutamate synthase, GDH; NADH-Glutamate dehydrogenase, NR; Nitrate reductase, and GS; Glutamine synthetase) in spinach plants under BGR light further validated the significance of green light in nitrogen assimilation. Amino acid distributions remained unchanged across the light spectra, although limited nitrogen availability significantly decreased the percent distribution of glutamine and aspartic acid. Conclusion Overall, this study demonstrated the favorable impacts of additional green light on spinach productivity, as demonstrated under BGR, than GR alone in response to nitrogen perturbation. However, the exact mechanisms underlying these impacts still need to be unveiled. Nevertheless, these outcomes provided new insights into our understanding of light spectra on spinach nitrogen metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moazzameh Ramezani
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, United States
| | - Dalton Thompson
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, United States
| | - Matte Moreno
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, United States
| | - Vijay Joshi
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, United States
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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Khan MI, Pandith SA, Shah MA, Reshi ZA. Calcium Oxalate Crystals, the Plant 'Gemstones': Insights into Their Synthesis and Physiological Implications in Plants. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 64:1124-1138. [PMID: 37498947 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
From simple algal forms to the most advanced angiosperms, calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals (CRs) occur in the majority of taxonomic groups of photosynthetic organisms. Various studies have demonstrated that this biomineralization is not a simple or random event but a genetically regulated coordination between calcium uptake, oxalate (OX) synthesis and, sometimes, environmental stresses. Certainly, the occurrence of CaOx CRs is old; however, questions related to their genesis, biosynthesis, significance and genetics exhibit robust evolution. Moreover, their speculated roles in bulk calcium regulation, heavy metal/OX detoxification, light reflectance and photosynthesis, and protection against grazing and herbivory, besides other characteristics, are gaining much interest. Thus, it is imperative to understand their synthesis and regulation in relation to the ascribed key functions to reconstruct future perspectives in harnessing their potential to achieve nutritious and pest-resistant crops amid anticipated global climatic perturbations. This review critically addresses the basic and evolving concepts of the origin (and recycling), synthesis, significance, regulation and fate vis-à-vis various functional aspects of CaOx CRs in plants (and soil). Overall, insights and conceptual future directions present them as potential biominerals to address future climate-driven issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Ishfaq Khan
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India
| | - Shahzad A Pandith
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India
| | - Manzoor A Shah
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India
| | - Zafar A Reshi
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India
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Joshi V, Shi A, Mishra AK, Gill H, DiPiazza J. Genetic dissection of nitrogen induced changes in the shoot and root biomass of spinach. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13751. [PMID: 35962022 PMCID: PMC9374745 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18134-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient partitioning of above and below-ground biomass in response to nitrogen (N) is critical to the productivity of plants under sub-optimal conditions. It is particularly essential in vegetable crops like spinach with shallow root systems, a short growth cycle, and poor nitrogen use efficiency. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to explore N-induced changes using spinach accessions with diverse genetic backgrounds. We evaluated phenotypic variations as percent changes in the shoot and root biomass in response to N using 201 spinach accessions grown in randomized complete blocks design in a soilless media under a controlled environment. A GWAS was performed for the percent changes in the shoot and root biomass in response to N in the 201 spinach accessions using 60,940 whole-genome resequencing generated SNPs. Three SNP markers, chr4_28292655, chr6_1531056, and chr6_37966006 on chromosomes 4 and 6, were significantly associated with %change in root weight, and two SNP markers, chr2_18480277 and chr4_47598760 on chromosomes 2 and 4, were significantly associated with % change shoot weight. The outcome of this study established a foundation for genetic studies needed to improve the partitioning of total biomass and provided a resource to identify molecular markers to enhance N uptake via marker-assisted selection or genomic selection in spinach breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Joshi
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, 78801, USA. .,Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Ainong Shi
- Department of Horticulture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA.
| | - Amit Kumar Mishra
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, 78801, USA.,Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, 796004, India
| | - Haramrit Gill
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - James DiPiazza
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, TX, 78801, USA
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Li P, He Q, Jin J, Liu Y, Wen Y, Zhao K, Mao G, Fan W, Yang J. Tomato Oxalyl-CoA Synthetase Degrades Oxalate and Affects Fruit Quality. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:951386. [PMID: 35874016 PMCID: PMC9301600 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.951386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Acyl activating enzyme 3 (AAE3) encodes oxalyl-CoA synthetase involved in oxalate degradation. In this study, we investigated the role of AAE3 (SlAAE3) in the fruit quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The purified recombinant SlAAE3 protein from Escherichia coli exhibited a high activity toward oxalate, with a K m of 223.8 ± 20.03 μm and V max of 7.908 ± 0.606 μmol mg-1 protein min-1. Transient expression of SlAAE3-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins suggests that SlAAE3 is a soluble protein without specific subcellular localization. The expression of SlAAE3 is both tissue- and development-dependent, and increased during fruit ripping. The Slaae3 knockout mutants had improved fruit quality as evidenced by the increased sugar-acid ratio and mineral nutrient content. To find the mechanism by which SlAAE3 affects fruit quality, transcriptome, and metabolome were employed on SlAAE3 over-expressed line and wide type fruits. The transcriptomic and metabolic profiles indicated that SlAAE3 in fruits mainly functions at 20 days post-anthesis (20 DPA) and mature green (MG) stages, resulting in up-regulation of amino acid derivatives, nucleotides, and derivatives, but down-regulation of lipid compounds. However, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched at redox pathways. Taken together, both in vivo and in vitro results suggest that SlAAE3-encoded protein acts as an oxalyl-CoA synthetase, which also participates in redox metabolism. These data provide a further understanding of the mechanism by which SlAAE3 participates in tomato fruit quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiyu He
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Guangqun Mao
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Fan
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jianli Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Rashid M, Yousaf Z, Din A, Munawar M, Aftab A, Riaz N, Younas A, Alaraidh IA, Okla MK, AbdElgawad H. Assessment of Mineral Nutrient Efficiency in Genetically Diverse Spinach Accessions by Biochemical and Functional Marker Strategies. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:889604. [PMID: 35707614 PMCID: PMC9189916 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.889604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Leafy vegetable crops are considered as a natural source of mineral nutrients that could decrease the risk factor of many growth issues in children and adults. Spinach is globally considered as the most desirable leafy crop, due to its taste and nutrient richness along with greater nitrate contents and better nitrogen use efficiency. To evaluate the mineral nutrient efficiency of this crop, thirty genetically diverse spinach accessions were analyzed through nutritional and functional marker strategies. The accession 163,310 from Pakistan was found to be rich in minerals (sodium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and manganese) and nitrates. However, the oxalate contents were lesser in the accessions that had greater quantity of nutrients. These represented a negative correlation between mineral availability and oxalate accumulation in the leaves. To study the relationship of oxalates and minerals in the accessions, a functional marker analysis was performed, based on the genes involved in oxalate metabolism and disease resistance in spinach. High level of genetic polymorphism was observed among the accessions represented with 115 polymorphic bands out of 130 bands. Heat map clustering represented the accessions from Asian countries (Pakistan, India, China, and Iran) as the most adaptable accessions to the local environment. The correlation between nutritional and genetic analysis also revealed the nutrient richness of these accessions along with good oxalate metabolism and disease resistance. Hence, these accessions could be considered as useful genotypes in future breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Rashid
- Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
- Department of Botany, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zubaida Yousaf
- Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ahmad Din
- National Institute of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muneeb Munawar
- Vegetable Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Arusa Aftab
- Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nadia Riaz
- Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Afifa Younas
- Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ibrahim A. Alaraidh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad K. Okla
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamada AbdElgawad
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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