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Ahmed M, Ahmad M, Khan MA, Sohail A, Sanaullah M, Ahmad W, Iqbal DN, Khalid K, Wani TA, Zargar S. Assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to potentially toxic elements in tea infusions: Determination by ICP-OES and multivariate statistical data analysis. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 84:127454. [PMID: 38669815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The perennial evergreen tea (Camellia sinensis) plant is one of the most popular nonalcoholic drinks in the world. Fertilizers and industrial, agricultural, and municipal activities are the usual drivers of soil contamination, contaminating tea plants with potentially toxic elements (PTEs). These elements might potentially accumulate to larger amounts in the leaves of plants after being taken up from the soil. Thus, frequent monitoring of these elements is critically important. METHODS The present study intended to determine PTEs (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in both tea leaves and infusions using ICP-OES. Various multivariate data analysis methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were employed to elucidate the potential sources of PTEs contamination, whether from anthropogenic activities or natural origins. Additionally, Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) was calculated to assess the relationships between the variables under study. RESULTS The mean contents (mg/L) of all studied elements in tea infusions decreased in order Mn (150.59 ± 1.66) > Fe (11.39 ± 0.99) > Zn (6.62 ± 0.89) > Cu (5.86 ± 0.62) > Co (3.25 ± 0.64) > Ni (1.69 ± 0.23) > Pb (1.08 ± 0.16) > Cr (0.57 ± 0.09) > Cd (0.46 ± 0.09) > Al (0.05 ± 0.008), indicating that Mn exhibits the highest abundance. The mean concentration trend in tea leaf samples mirrored that of infusions, albeit with higher concentrations of PTEs in the former. The tolerable dietary intake (TDI) value for Ni and provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) value for Cd surpassed the standards set by the WHO and EFSA. Calculated hazard index (HI < 1) and cumulative cancer risk (CCR) values suggest negligible exposure risk. CONCLUSION Elevated levels of PTEs in commonly consumed tea products concern the public and regulatory agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ayyan Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Aamir Sohail
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mudassar Sanaullah
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, College Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Waqar Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Dure Najaf Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Khuram Khalid
- Faculty of Applied Science and Technology، Sheridan College, 7899 McLaughlin Road Brampton, Ontario L6Y 5H9, Canada
| | - Tanveer A Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seema Zargar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 222452, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Zhou M, Huang C, Lin J, Yuan Y, Lin L, Zhou J, Li Z. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) priming alleviates acid-aluminum toxicity to roots of creeping bentgrass via enhancements in antioxidant defense and organic metabolites remodeling. PLANTA 2024; 260:33. [PMID: 38896325 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04461-8] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION γ-Aminobutyric acid alleviates acid-aluminum toxicity to roots associated with enhanced antioxidant metabolism as well as accumulation and transportation of citric and malic acids. Aluminum (Al) toxicity has become the main limiting factor for crop growth and development in acidic soils and is further being aggravated worldwide due to continuous industrial pollution. The current study was designed to examine effects of GABA priming on alleviating acid-Al toxicity in terms of root growth, antioxidant defense, citrate and malate metabolisms, and extensive metabolites remodeling in roots under acidic conditions. Thirty-seven-day-old creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) plants were used as test materials. Roots priming with or without 0.5 mM GABA for 3 days were cultivated in standard nutrient solution for 15 days as control or subjected to nutrient solution containing 5 mM AlCl3·6H2O for 15 days as acid-Al stress treatment. Roots were sampled for determinations of root characteristics, physiological and biochemical parameters, and metabolomics. GABA priming significantly alleviated acid-Al-induced root growth inhibition and oxidative damage, despite it promoted the accumulation of Al in roots. Analysis of metabolomics showed that GABA priming significantly increased accumulations of organic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, and other metabolites in roots under acid-Al stress. In addition, GABA priming also significantly up-regulated key genes related to accumulation and transportation of malic and citric acids in roots under acid-Al stress. GABA-regulated metabolites participated in tricarboxylic acid cycle, GABA shunt, antioxidant defense system, and lipid metabolism, which played positive roles in reactive oxygen species scavenging, energy conversion, osmotic adjustment, and Al ion chelation in roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhou
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 61130, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 61130, China
| | - Junnan Lin
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 61130, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 61130, China
| | - Long Lin
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 61130, China
| | - Jianzhen Zhou
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 61130, China
| | - Zhou Li
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 61130, China.
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Yang W, Feng H, Zhou J, Jia T, Tang T, Zhang H, Peng Y. Exogenous silicon induces aluminum tolerance in white clover ( Trifolium repens) by reducing aluminum uptake and enhancing organic acid secretion. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17472. [PMID: 38827280 PMCID: PMC11144389 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Excessive aluminum (Al) in acidic soils is a primary factor that hinders plant growth. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect and physiological mechanism of exogenous silicon (Si) in alleviating aluminum toxicity. Under hydroponic conditions, 4 mM Al significantly impeded the growth of white clover; however, pretreatments with 1 mM Si mitigated this inhibition, as evidenced by notable changes in growth indicators and physiological parameters. Exogenous silicon notably increased both shoot and root length of white clover and significantly decreased electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to aluminum treatments. This positive effect was particularly evident in the roots. Further analysis involving hematoxylin staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and examination of organic acids (OAs) demonstrated that silicon relieved the accumulation of bioactive aluminum and ameliorated damage to root tissues in aluminum-stressed plants. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis revealed that additional silicon was primarily distributed in the root epidermal and cortical layers, effectively reducing the transport of aluminum and maintaining the balance of exchangeable cations absorption. These findings suggest that gradual silicon deposition in root tissues effectively prevents the absorption of biologically active aluminum, thereby reducing the risk of mineral nutrient deficiencies induced by aluminum stress, promoting organic acids exudation, and compartmentalizing aluminum in the outer layer of root tissues. This mechanism helps white clover alleviate the damage caused by aluminum toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Yang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Huahao Feng
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianzhen Zhou
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Tong Jia
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Tang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Peng
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
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Zhang Y, Wang B, Wang G, Zheng Z, Chen Y, Li O, Peng Y, Hu X. Acidification induce chemical and microbial variation in tea plantation soils and bacterial degradation of the key acidifying phenolic acids. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:239. [PMID: 38689148 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03858-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Camellia sinensis is an important economic plant grown in southern subtropical hilly areas, especially in China, mainly for the production of tea. Soil acidification is a significant cause of the reduction of yield and quality and continuous cropping obstacles in tea plants. Therefore, chemical and microbial properties of tea growing soils were investigated and phenolic acid-degrading bacteria were isolated from a tea plantation. Chemical and ICP-AES investigations showed that the soils tested were acidic, with pH values of 4.05-5.08, and the pH negatively correlated with K (p < 0.01), Al (p < 0.05), Fe and P. Aluminum was the highest (47-584 mg/kg) nonessential element. Based on high-throughput sequencing, a total of 34 phyla and 583 genera were identified in tea plantation soils. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were the main dominant phyla and the highest abundance of Acidobacteria was found in three soils, with nearly 22% for the genus Gp2. Based on the functional abundance values, general function predicts the highest abundance, while the abundance of amino acids and carbon transport and metabolism were higher in soils with pH less than 5. According to Biolog Eco Plate™ assay, the soil microorganisms utilized amino acids well, followed by polymers and phenolic acids. Three strains with good phenolic acid degradation rates were obtained, and they were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis B1, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B2 and Bacillus subtilis B3, respectively. The three strains significantly relieved the inhibition of peanut germination and growth by ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, cinnamic acid, and mixed acids. Combination of the three isolates showed reduced relief of the four phenolic acids due to the antagonist of B2 against B1 and B3. The three phenolic acid degradation strains isolated from acidic soils display potential in improving the acidification and imbalance in soils of C. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zhang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Binjie Wang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Guiwei Wang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhisheng Zheng
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ou Li
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulong Peng
- Zunyi Branch of Guizhou Provincial Tobacco Company, Zunyi, 563000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiufang Hu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928 Second Avenue, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China.
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Luo D, Xian C, Zhang W, Qin Y, Li Q, Usman M, Sun S, Xing Y, Dong D. Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Commonalities and Specificities in Wheat in Response to Aluminum and Manganese. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:367-397. [PMID: 38248326 PMCID: PMC10814679 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) toxicity are the top two constraints of crop production in acid soil. Crops have evolved common and specific mechanisms to tolerate the two stresses. In the present study, the responses (toxicity and tolerance) of near-isogenic wheat lines (ET8 and ES8) and their parents (Carazinho and Egret) to Al and Mn were compared by determining the physiological parameters and conducting transcriptome profiling of the roots. The results showed the following: (1) Carazinho and ET8 exhibited dual tolerance to Al and Mn compared to Egret and ES8, indicated by higher relative root elongation and SPAD. (2) After entering the roots, Al was mainly distributed in the roots and fixed in the cell wall, while Mn was mainly distributed in the cell sap and then transported to the leaves. Both Al and Mn stresses decreased the contents of Ca, Mg, and Zn; Mn stress also inhibited the accumulation of Fe, while Al showed an opposite effect. (3) A transcriptomic analysis identified 5581 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under Al stress and 4165 DEGs under Mn stress. Among these, 2774 DEGs were regulated by both Al and Mn stresses, while 2280 and 1957 DEGs were exclusively regulated by Al stress and Mn stress, respectively. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that cell wall metabolism responds exclusively to Al, while nicotianamine synthesis exclusively responds to Mn. Pathways such as signaling, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and metal ion transport showed commonality and specificity to Al and Mn. Transcription factors (TFs), such as MYB, WRKY, and AP2 families, were also regulated by Al and Mn, and a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified PODP7, VATB2, and ABCC3 as the hub genes for Al tolerance and NAS for Mn tolerance. The identified genes and pathways can be used as targets for pyramiding genes and breeding multi-tolerant varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dengfeng Dong
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (D.L.); (C.X.); (W.Z.); (Y.Q.); (Q.L.); (M.U.); (S.S.); (Y.X.)
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Huang Z, Zhang S, Chen R, Zhu Q, Shi P, Shen Y. The transporter PHO84/NtPT1 is a target of aluminum to affect phosphorus absorption in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana tabacum L. Metallomics 2023; 15:mfad069. [PMID: 37994650 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfad069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanism of aluminum toxicity in biological systems is not completely understood. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most used model organisms in the study of environmental metal toxicity. Using an unbiased metallomic approach in yeast, we found that aluminum treatment caused phosphorus deprivation, and the lack of phosphorus increased as the pH of the environment decreased compared to the control strain. By screening the phosphate signaling and response pathway (PHO pathway) in yeast with the synthetic lethality of a new phosphorus-restricted aluminum-sensitive gene, we observed that pho84Δ mutation conferred severe growth defect to aluminum under low-phosphorus conditions, and the addition of phosphate alleviated this sensitivity. Subsequently, the data showed that PHO84 determined the intracellular aluminum-induced phosphorus deficiency, and the expression of PHO84 was positively correlated with aluminum stress, which was mediated by phosphorus through the coordinated regulation of PHO4/PHO2. Moreover, aluminum reduced phosphorus absorption and inhibited tobacco plant growth in acidic media. In addition, the high-affinity phosphate transporter NtPT1 in tobacco exhibited similar effects to PHO84, and overexpression of NtPT1 conferred aluminum resistance in yeast cells. Taken together, positive feedback regulation of the PHO pathway centered on the high-affinity phosphate transporters is a highly conservative mechanism in response to aluminum toxicity. The results may provide a basis for aluminum-resistant microorganisms or plant engineering and acidic soil treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Huang
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Shixuan Zhang
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Ranran Chen
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Ping Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuhu Shen
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
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Aluminum and Fluoride Stresses Altered Organic Acid and Secondary Metabolism in Tea ( Camellia sinensis) Plants: Influences on Plant Tolerance, Tea Quality and Safety. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054640. [PMID: 36902071 PMCID: PMC10003434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tea plants have adapted to grow in tropical acidic soils containing high concentrations of aluminum (Al) and fluoride (F) (as Al/F hyperaccumulators) and use secret organic acids (OAs) to acidify the rhizosphere for acquiring phosphorous and element nutrients. The self-enhanced rhizosphere acidification under Al/F stress and acid rain also render tea plants prone to accumulate more heavy metals and F, which raises significant food safety and health concerns. However, the mechanism behind this is not fully understood. Here, we report that tea plants responded to Al and F stresses by synthesizing and secreting OAs and altering profiles of amino acids, catechins, and caffeine in their roots. These organic compounds could form tea-plant mechanisms to tolerate lower pH and higher Al and F concentrations. Furthermore, high concentrations of Al and F stresses negatively affected the accumulation of tea secondary metabolites in young leaves, and thereby tea nutrient value. The young leaves of tea seedlings under Al and F stresses also tended to increase Al and F accumulation in young leaves but lower essential tea secondary metabolites, which challenged tea quality and safety. Comparisons of transcriptome data combined with metabolite profiling revealed that the corresponding metabolic gene expression supported and explained the metabolism changes in tea roots and young leaves via stresses from high concentrations of Al and F. The study provides new insight into Al- and F-stressed tea plants with regard to responsive metabolism changes and tolerance strategy establishment in tea plants and the impacts of Al/F stresses on metabolite compositions in young leaves used for making teas, which could influence tea nutritional value and food safety.
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