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Correia E, Granadeiro JP, Vale C, Catry T. Trace elements in relation to trophic ecology of long-distance migratory shorebirds and seabirds in West Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120674. [PMID: 36403880 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Shorebirds and seabirds are abundant predators in coastal habitats worldwide, relying upon a high diversity of benthic invertebrates and fish, respectively. While occupying different trophic guilds, they are differently exposed to element contamination entering the coastal food web. Therefore, these birds have been used as bioindicators of environmental contamination in marine ecosystems. We analysed the concentration of trace elements in blood samples of 16 shorebird and seabird migratory species in a major non-breeding site, the Bijagós Archipelago, in regard to their trophic ecology. Overall, our study shows low exposure of this bird community to toxic elements, except for Hg. Most species presented Hg burdens within the moderate toxicity threshold, but one species (Dunlin) presented values at a potential high Hg toxicity risk. We found a positive relationship between Se and Ni concentrations and δ15N values (a proxy for trophic level). In addition, a positive relationship was found between δ13C (a proxy for habitat characteristics) and Hg, Fe, Cu and Mn, while the opposite pattern was recorded for As. Differences were also shown for several trace elements between the two studied trophic guilds: concentrations of As, Pb and Se were higher in pelagic fish consumers (seabirds), whereas Cr, Fe and Sr burdens were higher in benthic invertebrate consumers (shorebirds). Although previous studies in the same site revealed very high concentrations of Cd and Pb in some of the prey species of shorebirds and seabirds (bivalves and fishes), values found in birds for these two elements suggest no toxicological risk. Thus, exposure to toxic elements is not currently a threat to coastal bird populations, namely those facing apparent local declines in Guinea-Bissau, one of the most important non-breeding quarters for of West Africa. Still, Hg burdens were high in some species, deserving further monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Correia
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - José Pedro Granadeiro
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos Vale
- IPMA - Divisão de Oceanografia e Ambiente Marinho, Instituto Português Do Mar da Atmosfera, I.P., Avenida Doutor Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6 1495-165, Algés, Portugal
| | - Teresa Catry
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
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Yao T, Zhu G, Zhang Y, Yan P, Li C, de Boer WF. Bird's feather as an effective bioindicator for detection of trace elements in polymetallic contaminated areas in Anhui Province, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144816. [PMID: 33545476 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution, especially because of trace metals, seriously affects ecological safety, and bird feathers are often used as bioindicators to monitor this risk in various environments. However, the feasibility of feathers as bioindicators for trace metals in polymetallic contaminated areas has not been extensively studied. In this study, we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify and compare the contents of nine trace metal(loid)s (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) among soil, plants, insects and birds (feathers and internal tissues) sampled in the mining area of Tongling, a polymetallic contaminated area in Anhui Province, eastern China. We detected significant trace metal pollution in the abiotic and biotic materials. The contents of Cr, Cu, Zn, As and Pb in feathers differed among bird species and among sampling sites, with higher contents often recorded in tree sparrows (Passer montanus). The metal(loid)s V, Mn, Co, Zn, and As had higher contents in feathers than in internal tissues including heart, liver, kidneys, muscles and bones. The contents of some elements in feathers were positively correlated with those in internal tissues, for example, Co, As, and Cd in the heart, V and Co in the kidneys, Cd in the liver, Pb in bones, and As in muscles. Furthermore, the contents of V, Cr, As and Pb in feathers were higher than those in other biomaterials, implying an increasing trend from plants, insects, and feathers. Our study indicates that bird feathers can be used as effective, non-destructive bioindicators to monitor trace metal(loid) pollution, especially for V, Co, As, Cd and Pb, in polymetallic contaminated areas, providing reliable information for ecological assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yao
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Guang Zhu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, No.159, Longpan Road, 210037 Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, No. 1, Beijing East Road, 241000 Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chunlin Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China; Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, No. 111, Jiulong Road, 230601 Hefei, China.
| | - Willem F de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University, 6708PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
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The Levels of Mineral Elements and Toxic Metals in the Longissimus lumborum Muscle, Hair and Selected Organs of Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus L.) in Poland. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051231. [PMID: 33923214 PMCID: PMC8145373 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The relationships between nutritive elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Na, K, Ca and Mg) and toxic metals (Pb and Cd) can inform the assessment of health status of red deer, which are exposed to pollution in their natural environment. These elements in the longissimus lumborum muscle, hair and selected organs of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) were analysed. The study revealed many significant correlations between the levels of elements and their high variability in individual tissues and organs. The accumulation of a specific metal in a tissue or organ can reduce its concentration in another matrix or promote increased content in another tissue or organ. Abstract The aim of the study was to analyse correlations and variability between the levels of mineral elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Na, K, Ca and Mg) and toxic metals (Pb and Cd) in the longissimus lumborum muscle, hair and selected organs of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.). The levels of mineral elements were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (F-AAS). The levels of Pb and Cd were analysed by means of electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ET-AAS). Of all analysed microelements, the highest concentration (in g·kg−1 of dry weight) was found for Fe in the liver. Considering all macroelements, the highest level was found for K in the longissimus lumborum muscle. Particularly remarkable was the high level of Pb in the muscle and hair of red deer. The level of Cd in the hair was four to five times lower than in other samples. The study revealed many significant correlations between the levels of certain elements in individual tissues and organs. There were significant correlations between Cu-Fe (rxy = 0.650; p ≤ 0.01), Pb-Cu (rxy = −0.863; p ≤ 0.01) and Cd-Ca (rxy = −0.743; p ≤ 0.01) in testicles. For kidneys, a significant negative correlation was found for K and Na (rxy = −0.779; p ≤ 0.01) and for Ca and Cd (rxy = −0.695; p ≤ 0.01), and a positive correlation between Cu and Mn (rxy = 0.693; p ≤ 0.01). In the liver, significant negative correlations were found between Ca-K (rxy = −0.654; p ≤ 0.05), Cd-Fe (rxy = −0.651; p ≤ 0.05) and Pb-Cu (rxy = −0.627; p ≤ 0.05). In the muscle, only single significant correlations were found between Cd and Mn (rxy = 0.648; p ≤ 0.05). The highest number of significant correlations were recorded for the hair, among others between Na-K (rxy = 0.760) and Ca-Zn (rxy = 0.709) at p ≤ 0.01. The study revealed high variability in the levels of mineral elements and selected toxic metals in tissues, organs and hair of red deer. Additionally, this research confirmed that the accumulation of a specific metal in a tissue or organ can reduce its concentration in another matrix or promote its increased content in another tissue or organ.
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Essential (Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu) and Non-Essential (Cd and Pb) Elements in Predatory Insects ( Vespa crabro and Vespa velutina): A Molecular Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010228. [PMID: 33379365 PMCID: PMC7797950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent introduction of the Asian yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, into Europe has raised concern regarding the threat to honeybees and the competition with the European hornet, Vespa crabro. The aim of this study was to investigated essential (Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) and non-essential (Cd and Pb) elements in these two species. Element concentrations were determined in the whole body and separately in the head, thorax and abdomen using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The changes in essential element concentration and speciation during metamorphosis were also studied using size exclusion chromatography followed by AAS and proteomic analysis. In both species, the essential elements were more concentrated in the abdomen due to the presence of fat bodies. Magnesium, Fe and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in V. crabro than in V. velutina and could have been related to the higher aerobic energy demand of the former species required to sustain foraging flight. Low concentrations of Cd and Pb were indicative of low environmental exposure. The concentration and speciation of essential elements, particularly Fe, varied among the developmental stages, indicating a modification of ligand preferences during metamorphosis. Overall, the results in the present study provide a better understanding of the hornet metal metabolism and a foundation for additional studies.
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Gil-Jiménez E, Mateo R, de Lucas M, Ferrer M. Feathers and hair as tools for non-destructive pollution exposure assessment in a mining site of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114523. [PMID: 32298936 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mining is responsible of releasing trace elements to the environment with potential negative effects on wildlife. Traditionally, wildlife exposure assessment has been developed by analyzing mainly environmental compartments or internal tissues. Nowadays, the use of non-destructive matrices such as hair or feathers has increased. Nevertheless, its use in free-living terrestrial mammals or in birds other than raptors or passerines is less frequent. The main objective of our study was to determine the potential for hair and feathers in a rabbit and bird species to be used as non-invasive proxy tissues for assessing internal metal concentrations at polluted sites from mining. We tested whether hair of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and feathers of red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) can be used as non-destructive biological monitoring tools of both essential (Cu, Zn) and non-essential (Pb, Cd, As) trace elements in a currently active copper mining site. We found significant different concentrations, particularly in non-essential elements, between reference area and mining site. Non-essential elements Pb and Cd showed higher correlations between tissues and hair/feathers, while few significant patterns were observed for essential elements such as Cu and Zn. Although feathers showed lower levels of correlation with internal tissues than hair, both could be useful as non-destructive biological monitoring tools. Further tissues, and more importantly, hair and feathers allowed discrimination between polluted and reference sites to indicate bioavailability and pollution status. In addition, hair and feathers can be used in monitoring pollution of an active mining site, being specially interesting for biomonitoring a certain period of time in the event of a particular episode of pollution, in addition to the chronic exposure. As occurred with hair in rabbits, feathers seem to be a good compartment to detect differences between a potential polluted area, such the surrounding of an active mine site, and a non-polluted area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Manuela de Lucas
- Applied Ecology Group, Department of Ethology and Biodiversity Conservation, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Americo Vespucio, 26, 41092, Seville, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ferrer
- Applied Ecology Group, Department of Ethology and Biodiversity Conservation, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Americo Vespucio, 26, 41092, Seville, Spain.
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Carpenè E, Andreani G, Ferlizza E, Menotta S, Fedrizzi G, Isani G. Trace Elements in Home-Processed Food Obtained from Unconventional Animals. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E75. [PMID: 32456182 PMCID: PMC7281459 DOI: 10.3390/life10050075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild animals have been used as food since ancient times and, currently, the consumption of unconventional animals is increasing worldwide. The process of cooking meat using traditional recipes includes a variety of ingredients, which can influence the total metal intake from the diet. In this study, the concentrations of eight essential (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Ni, Mo, and Co) and six non-essential (Pb, Cd, Hg, Al, As, and Cr) trace elements were determined in home-processed food obtained from snails and from three common species of game animals (woodcock, pheasant, and hare), seasoned with anchovies, mushrooms, and different vegetables using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In general, Fe was the most abundant trace element, ranging from 18 ± 8 µg/g in pheasant to 99 ± 76 µg/g in snail, and Co was the least abundant, ranging from 0.007 ± 0.003 µg/g in hare to 0.093 ± 0.048 µg/g in snail. Regarding the non-essential trace elements, Pb concentrations showed wide variations, reaching a concentration of 17.30 µg/g in hare, while Cd concentrations were higher in snail, ranging from 0.18 to 0.46 µg/g. These alternative food sources can offer an important contribution to the human nutritional requirements of essential trace elements, in particular of Fe. The high concentrations of Pb and Cd present in some samples should be considered as potentially dangerous for the consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Carpenè
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy; (E.C.); (G.I.)
| | - Giulia Andreani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy; (E.C.); (G.I.)
| | - Enea Ferlizza
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Simonetta Menotta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Chemical Department, via P. Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Giorgio Fedrizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Chemical Department, via P. Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Gloria Isani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy; (E.C.); (G.I.)
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7
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Andreani G, Cannavacciuolo A, Menotta S, Spallucci V, Fedrizzi G, Carpenè E, Isani G. Environmental exposure to non-essential trace elements in two bat species from urbanised (Tadarida teniotis) and open land (Miniopterus schreibersii) areas in Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:113034. [PMID: 31465904 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bats are particularly suited as bioindicators of trace element pollution due to their longevity and their position in the trophic chain. In this study, the concentrations of ten non-essential trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb, Sr, Th, Tl) were determined in the tissues (whole body, skin-fur, skinned body, liver, kidney and bone) of lactant Tadarida teniotis from a nursery colony in Rome. A large number of bats from this nursery died before fledging and had bone deformities and fractures. The concentrations of non-essential trace elements in bone and whole body were also analysed in adult specimens of Miniopterus schreibersii from a colony located in a natural park in Northern Italy. In lactant T. teniotis, the Pb concentration decreased in the following order: bone>liver>skinned body>whole body>skin-fur>kidney, and exceeded the toxic threshold associated with negative effects reported for different mammalian species. The levels of the other non-essential trace elements were within a range indicative of low environmental contamination in both species. Significant interspecies differences (P < 0.05) were observed for concentrations of Pb and Ba, higher in the bones of T. teniotis, and of Cd, Hg and Sr, higher in the bones of M. schreibersii. In lactant T. teniotis, the different sources of Pb exposure, through inhalation and/or food, may represent a potential threat to the colony of this synanthropic European bat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Andreani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Annunziata Cannavacciuolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", via Appia Nuova 1411 Roma, Italy; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Chemical Department, via P. Fiorini 5, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Menotta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Chemical Department, via P. Fiorini 5, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Spallucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", via Appia Nuova 1411 Roma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Fedrizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Chemical Department, via P. Fiorini 5, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emilio Carpenè
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gloria Isani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Belyanovskaya A, Laratte B, Perry N, Baranovskaya N. A regional approach for the calculation of characteristic toxicity factors using the USEtox model. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 655:676-683. [PMID: 30476848 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The lack of the spatial coverage as one of the main limitations of the Life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) models leads to disagreement between their results. The USEtox model is only model that provides 8 continental and 17 subcontinental zones but does not consider the wind and water transfers affected areas around the source of pollution. Current investigation proposes the way to reduce this limitation by using the results of chemical analysis (instrumental neutron activation analysis "INAA") of pork meat as a regional indicator of anthropogenic influence. The concentration coefficient of Cr by replacing the Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) is extrapolated into the calculation of Exposure factor (XF) to modify Characterization factor (CF). Impacted and clean areas of Tomsk district (Russia) placed around Northern industrial hub (Seversk city) are studied. Neither area is located directly in the industrial hub, but the impacted area is under an anthropogenic influence due to air and water transfer of pollution. Results of our investigation present the difference between results of own investigation and default values of USEtox. Probably the model can minimize the impact because of lack of experiment data in the database. The database can be extended more with other analytical results for wide range of metals and geographical locations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bertrand Laratte
- Arts et Métiers ParisTech - ENSAM, France; APESA-Innovation, Tarnos, France.
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Ribeiro DM, Mourato MP, Almeida AM. Assessing mineral status in edible tissues of domestic and game animals: a review with a special emphasis in tropical regions. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:1019-1032. [PMID: 30847652 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-01848-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mineral status in edible tissues has been extensively studied since the beginning of the twentieth century. Most research focus on nutrition, as the earliest reports were essentially related to nutrition, animal health and mineral deficiencies. Nutrition wise, minerals are of great importance for consumers worldwide, as meat (i.e. beef, pork, chicken) and fish are major sources of protein in human diets. Nutrition gains renewed importance in the tropical context, since tropical forages are poor in minerals. This fact contributes to mineral deficiencies and impaired production performance in extensive production systems, with greater emphasis in ruminant species. In addition to nutrition, several other factors have an important impact in mineral metabolism such as geographic location, gender and species. In this article, we aim to infer on both the role in the organism and the amount present in various edible tissues of different species, either game or production animals, presenting an overall perspective in the context of tropical animal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Ribeiro
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - M P Mourato
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A M Almeida
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal
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Morão LG, Polaquini CR, Kopacz M, Torrezan GS, Ayusso GM, Dilarri G, Cavalca LB, Zielińska A, Scheffers DJ, Regasini LO, Ferreira H. A simplified curcumin targets the membrane of Bacillus subtilis. Microbiologyopen 2018; 8:e00683. [PMID: 30051597 PMCID: PMC6460283 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is the main constituent of turmeric, a seasoning popularized around the world with Indian cuisine. Among the benefits attributed to curcumin are anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumoral, and chemopreventive effects. Besides, curcumin inhibits the growth of the gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The anti‐B. subtilis action happens by interference with the division protein FtsZ, an ancestral tubulin widespread in Bacteria. FtsZ forms protofilaments in a GTP‐dependent manner, with the concomitant recruitment of essential factors to operate cell division. By stimulating the GTPase activity of FtsZ, curcumin destabilizes its function. Recently, curcumin was shown to promote membrane permeabilization in B. subtilis. Here, we used molecular simplification to dissect the functionalities of curcumin. A simplified form, in which a monocarbonyl group substituted the β‐diketone moiety, showed antibacterial action against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria of clinical interest. The simplified curcumin also disrupted the divisional septum of B. subtilis; however, subsequent biochemical analysis did not support a direct action on FtsZ. Our results suggest that the simplified curcumin exerted its function mainly through membrane permeabilization, with disruption of the membrane potential necessary for FtsZ intra‐cellular localization. Finally, we show here experimental evidence for the requirement of the β‐diketone group of curcumin for its interaction with FtsZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana G Morão
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Carlos R Polaquini
- Departamento de Química e Ciências Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Malgorzata Kopacz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Guilherme S Torrezan
- Departamento de Química e Ciências Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Gabriela M Ayusso
- Departamento de Química e Ciências Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Dilarri
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Lúcia B Cavalca
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Aleksandra Zielińska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk-Jan Scheffers
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Luis O Regasini
- Departamento de Química e Ciências Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Henrique Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brazil
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Thompson ED, Hogstrand C, Glover CN. From sea squirts to squirrelfish: facultative trace element hyperaccumulation in animals. Metallomics 2018; 10:777-793. [PMID: 29850752 DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00078f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The hyperaccumulation of trace elements is a widely characterized phenomenon in plants, bacteria, and fungi, but has received little attention in animals. However, there are numerous examples of animals that specifically and facultatively accumulate trace elements in the absence of elevated environmental concentrations. Metal hyperaccumulating animals are usually marine invertebrates, likely owing to environmental (e.g. constant exposure via the water) and physiological (e.g. osmoconforming and reduced integument permeability) factors. However, there are examples of terrestrial animals (insect larvae) and marine vertebrates (e.g. squirrelfish) that accumulate high body and/or tissue metal burdens. This review examines examples of animal hyperaccumulation of the elements arsenic, copper, iron, titanium, vanadium and zinc, describing mechanisms by which accumulation occurs and, where possible, hypothesizing functional roles. Groups such as the ascidians (sea squirts), molluscs (gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods) and polychaete annelids feature prominently as animals with hyperaccumulating capacity. Many of these species are potential model organisms offering insight into fundamental processes underlying metal handling, with relevance to human disease and aquatic metal toxicity, and some offer promise in applied fields such as bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E David Thompson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, SC 245 Nunn Dr Highland Heights, KY 41099, USA.
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