Calcium Biofortification of Crops–Challenges and Projected Benefits

Despite Calcium (Ca) being an essential nutrient for humans, deficiency of Ca is becoming an ensuing public health problem worldwide. Breeding staple crops with higher Ca concentrations is a sustainable long-term strategy for alleviating Ca deficiency, and particular criteria for a successful breeding initiative need to be in place. This paper discusses current challenges and projected benefits of Ca-biofortified crops. The most important features of Ca nutrition in plants are presented along with explicit recommendations for additional exploration of this important issue. In order for Ca-biofortified crops to be successfully developed, tested, and effectively implemented in most vulnerable populations, further research is required

Technological application of algae

Alge su izrazito velika i raznolika taksonomska skupina živih organizama koja je prije 3,5 milijardi godina omogućila formaciju aerobnog života na Zemlji. S obzirom na sve brojnija otkrića vezana uz fiziologiju algi, mnoge tehnološke grane traže primjenu algi u različitim industrijama. Zbog količine lipida koje sadrže, alge se danas smatraju potencijalnim izvorom biogoriva koje bi jednoga dana zamijenilo fosilna goriva. Lipidi nisu jedini spojevi koje alge sadrže pa su se tako počeli iskorištavati i mnogobrojni drugi spojevi u prehrambenoj, farmaceutskoj i drugim industrijama. Za daljnje napretke u tehnologiji nužno je više istraživanja posvetiti određivanju fiziologije alga jer će u suprotnom puni potencijal algi ostati neotkriven i neiskorišten.Algae are extremely large and diverse taxonomic group of living organisms that enabled the formation of aerobic life on Earth 3.5 billion years ago. Considering the growing number of discoveries related to algal physiology , many technological branches are looking for the application of algae in different industries. Because of their content of lipids, algae are considered potential source of biofuel that may one day replace fossil fuels. Lipids are not the only component found in algae. Many other compounds have found use in pharmaceutical, food and other industries. For future progress in technology, it is necessary to do more research in determining physiology of algae, otherwise. the full potential of algae will remain undiscovered and unuse

Zinc as a Biomarker of Cardiovascular Health

The importance of zinc (Zn) for cardiovascular health continuously gains recognition. As shown earlier, compromised Zn homeostasis and prolonged inflammation are common features in various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Similarly, Zn biochemistry alters several vascular processes, and Zn status is an important feature of cardiovascular health. Zn deficiency contributes to the development of CVDs; thus, Zn manipulations, including Zn supplementation, are beneficial for preventing and treating numerous cardiovascular (CV) disorders. Finally, additional long-term, well-designed studies, performed in various population groups, should be pursued to further clarify significant relationships between Zn and CVDs

Existing knowledge on Zn status biomarkers (1963–2021) with a particular focus on FADS1 and FADS2 diagnostic performance and recommendations for further research

The role of Zn in human health was discovered 60 years ago, and despite remarkable research efforts, a sufficiently sensitive and specific biomarker of Zn status is still lacking. Plasma/serum Zn, currently the best available and most accepted population Zn status indicator, responds well to severe Zn deficiency, yet, mild to moderate Zn deficiency states usually remain unrecognized. Identifying early-stage Zn deficiency requires additional robust markers of Zn status. This paper discusses the sensitivity, specificity, and responsiveness of plasma Zn concentrations to Zn interventions. It describes the biochemical and dietary basis for the causal association between Zn and fatty acid desaturases activity, FADS1 and FADS2, based on data collected through studies performed in animals and/or humans. The influence of potential confounders and covariates on the observed relationships is considered. Additional potential Zn biomarkers are discussed and suggestions for further research in this area are provided

Antioksidansi

Reaktivne kisikove jedinke („reactive oxygen substances“, ROS) i reaktivne dušikove jedinke („reactive nitrogen substances“, RNS) su pojmovi koji opisuju slobodne radikale i ĉestice koje nisu slobodni radikali, a takoĊer imaju oksidativno djelovanje. ROS se odnose na jedinke sa oksidativnim djelovanjem nastale od O₂, dok su radikali jedinke koje sadrže barem jedan nespareni elektron. Veći dio struktura u sastavu ROS-a su slobodni radikali, a ĉine ih superoksidni anion ili superoksid (O₂˙ˉ), hidroksilni radikal (HO˙), peroksilni radikal (RO₂˙), alkoksilni radikal (RO˙) i hidroksilni radikal (OH˙). Reaktivne kisikove jedinke koje nisu slobodni radikali su vodikov peroksid (H₂O₂), hipokloritna kiselina (HOCl), ozon (O₃) i jednostavni singletni kisik (¹O₂). Navedene strukture mogu lako i brzo prijeći u reaktivne radikale kisika. ROS se meĊusobno razlikuju u svojim reaktivnostima i toksiĉnosti. H₂O₂ je manje reaktivan od O₂˙ˉ, ali zato je više toksiĉan zbog svoje sposobnosti prodiranja kroz biološke membrane. Reaktivne dušikove jedinke (RNS) se odnose na molekule nastale od dušikovog monoksida (NO), primjerice: peroksinitriti (ONOOˉ), dušikov dioksid (NO₂˙) i nitritna kiselina (HNO₂). RNS za razliku od HO˙ i O₂˙ˉ imaju duži poluživot. Pri niskim koncentracijama, ROS i RNS su potrebne za proces sazrijevanja staniĉnih struktura, u sustavu obrane domaćina te u funkcijama brojnih staniĉnih signalnih sustava. U normalnom fiziološkom stanju u organizmu se održava ravnoteža izmeĊu djelovanja oksidansa i antioksidativne obrane organizma. Oksidacijski stres nastaje zbog povećane koliĉine oksidansa proizvedenih u organizmu ili funkcionalnog smanjenja sustava antioksidativne obrane. U ljudskom organizmu ROS nastaju iz molekularnog kisika djelovanjem UV zraĉenja ili procesima redukcije oksidativnih enzima. Najveća koliĉina ROS-a u obliku O₂˙ˉ nastaje svakodnevno u mitohondrijskom lancu za prijenos elektrona. Od ukupnog kisika unesenog u organizam u mitohondrijima se potroši 85-90 %. Antioksidansi su tvari koje nastoje neutralizirati štetne uĉinke ROS-a i RNS-a. Antioksidansi se dijele na: antioksidativne enzime i neenzimske antioksidanse. MeĊu najvažnijim antioksidativnim enzimima istiĉu se: superoksiddismutaza (SOD), katalaza, glutation-peroksidaza (GPRx), askorbat-oksidaza (AOx), glutation-S-transferaza (GSTs) i glutation-reduktaza (GR), dok meĊu neenzimskim antioksidansima: flavonoidi, karotenoidi, glutation, vitamin C, vitamin E i koenzim Q10.ROS and RNS are the terms collectively describing free radicals and other nonradical reactive derivatives also called oxidants. ROS refer to a number of chemically reactive molecules derived from O₂, whereas free radicals refers to the low molecular weight molecules with at least one unpaired electron. The most important group of free radicals are ROS which are superoxide anion or superoxide (O₂˙ˉ), hydroxyl radical (HO˙), peroxyl radical (RO₂˙), alkoxy radical (RO˙) and hydroxyl radical (OH˙). There are some ROS which are not free radicals: hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hypochlorite acid (HOCl), ozone (O₃) and simple singlet oxygen (¹O₂). These ROS can easily and quickly switch to reactive oxygen radicals. ROS vary in their reactivities and toxicities. H₂O₂ is less reactive, but more toxic than O₂˙ˉ, because of its ability to penetrate biological membranes. RNS refer to molecules derived from nitrogen monoxide (NO), for example: peroxynitrite (ONOOˉ), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂˙) and nitrous acid (HNO₂). The half-lives of RNS are generally longer that HO˙ and O₂˙. At low or moderate concentrations, ROS and RNS are necessary for the maturation process of cellular structures, in the defense system of the host and in the functions of a number of cell signaling systems. In the normal physiological state, the body maintains a balance between the action of oxidants and antioxidant defense. Oxidative stress occurs due to increased amounts of oxidants produced in the body or functional reduction of antioxidant defense. In the human body ROS are formed from molecular oxygen by UV radiation or processes reducing oxidative enzymes. The largest amount of ROS in the form O₂ occurs daily in the mitochondrial electron trasport chain. Out the total body oxygen mitochondria consume 85-90 %. Antioxidants are substances that tend to neutralize the harmful effects of ROS and RNS. Antioxidants can be divided into two groups: enzymatic antioxidants and nonenzymatic antioxidants. The most important enzymatic antioxidants are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathioneperoxidase (GPRx), ascorbate-oxidase (AOx), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and glutathione-reductase (GR), and nonenzymatic antioxidants are flavonoids, carotenoids, glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E and coenzyme Q1 0

Antioksidansi

Reaktivne kisikove jedinke („reactive oxygen substances“, ROS) i reaktivne dušikove jedinke („reactive nitrogen substances“, RNS) su pojmovi koji opisuju slobodne radikale i ĉestice koje nisu slobodni radikali, a takoĊer imaju oksidativno djelovanje. ROS se odnose na jedinke sa oksidativnim djelovanjem nastale od O₂, dok su radikali jedinke koje sadrže barem jedan nespareni elektron. Veći dio struktura u sastavu ROS-a su slobodni radikali, a ĉine ih superoksidni anion ili superoksid (O₂˙ˉ), hidroksilni radikal (HO˙), peroksilni radikal (RO₂˙), alkoksilni radikal (RO˙) i hidroksilni radikal (OH˙). Reaktivne kisikove jedinke koje nisu slobodni radikali su vodikov peroksid (H₂O₂), hipokloritna kiselina (HOCl), ozon (O₃) i jednostavni singletni kisik (¹O₂). Navedene strukture mogu lako i brzo prijeći u reaktivne radikale kisika. ROS se meĊusobno razlikuju u svojim reaktivnostima i toksiĉnosti. H₂O₂ je manje reaktivan od O₂˙ˉ, ali zato je više toksiĉan zbog svoje sposobnosti prodiranja kroz biološke membrane. Reaktivne dušikove jedinke (RNS) se odnose na molekule nastale od dušikovog monoksida (NO), primjerice: peroksinitriti (ONOOˉ), dušikov dioksid (NO₂˙) i nitritna kiselina (HNO₂). RNS za razliku od HO˙ i O₂˙ˉ imaju duži poluživot. Pri niskim koncentracijama, ROS i RNS su potrebne za proces sazrijevanja staniĉnih struktura, u sustavu obrane domaćina te u funkcijama brojnih staniĉnih signalnih sustava. U normalnom fiziološkom stanju u organizmu se održava ravnoteža izmeĊu djelovanja oksidansa i antioksidativne obrane organizma. Oksidacijski stres nastaje zbog povećane koliĉine oksidansa proizvedenih u organizmu ili funkcionalnog smanjenja sustava antioksidativne obrane. U ljudskom organizmu ROS nastaju iz molekularnog kisika djelovanjem UV zraĉenja ili procesima redukcije oksidativnih enzima. Najveća koliĉina ROS-a u obliku O₂˙ˉ nastaje svakodnevno u mitohondrijskom lancu za prijenos elektrona. Od ukupnog kisika unesenog u organizam u mitohondrijima se potroši 85-90 %. Antioksidansi su tvari koje nastoje neutralizirati štetne uĉinke ROS-a i RNS-a. Antioksidansi se dijele na: antioksidativne enzime i neenzimske antioksidanse. MeĊu najvažnijim antioksidativnim enzimima istiĉu se: superoksiddismutaza (SOD), katalaza, glutation-peroksidaza (GPRx), askorbat-oksidaza (AOx), glutation-S-transferaza (GSTs) i glutation-reduktaza (GR), dok meĊu neenzimskim antioksidansima: flavonoidi, karotenoidi, glutation, vitamin C, vitamin E i koenzim Q10.ROS and RNS are the terms collectively describing free radicals and other nonradical reactive derivatives also called oxidants. ROS refer to a number of chemically reactive molecules derived from O₂, whereas free radicals refers to the low molecular weight molecules with at least one unpaired electron. The most important group of free radicals are ROS which are superoxide anion or superoxide (O₂˙ˉ), hydroxyl radical (HO˙), peroxyl radical (RO₂˙), alkoxy radical (RO˙) and hydroxyl radical (OH˙). There are some ROS which are not free radicals: hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hypochlorite acid (HOCl), ozone (O₃) and simple singlet oxygen (¹O₂). These ROS can easily and quickly switch to reactive oxygen radicals. ROS vary in their reactivities and toxicities. H₂O₂ is less reactive, but more toxic than O₂˙ˉ, because of its ability to penetrate biological membranes. RNS refer to molecules derived from nitrogen monoxide (NO), for example: peroxynitrite (ONOOˉ), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂˙) and nitrous acid (HNO₂). The half-lives of RNS are generally longer that HO˙ and O₂˙. At low or moderate concentrations, ROS and RNS are necessary for the maturation process of cellular structures, in the defense system of the host and in the functions of a number of cell signaling systems. In the normal physiological state, the body maintains a balance between the action of oxidants and antioxidant defense. Oxidative stress occurs due to increased amounts of oxidants produced in the body or functional reduction of antioxidant defense. In the human body ROS are formed from molecular oxygen by UV radiation or processes reducing oxidative enzymes. The largest amount of ROS in the form O₂ occurs daily in the mitochondrial electron trasport chain. Out the total body oxygen mitochondria consume 85-90 %. Antioxidants are substances that tend to neutralize the harmful effects of ROS and RNS. Antioxidants can be divided into two groups: enzymatic antioxidants and nonenzymatic antioxidants. The most important enzymatic antioxidants are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathioneperoxidase (GPRx), ascorbate-oxidase (AOx), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and glutathione-reductase (GR), and nonenzymatic antioxidants are flavonoids, carotenoids, glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E and coenzyme Q1 0

Synthesis of metal-organic frameworks with zinc(II)

Metaloorganske mreže su porozni materijali koji su građeni od anorganskih(metalni kationi) i organskih jedinica (ligandi). Razlikuju se od drugih poroznih materijala zato što imaju relativno male pore, mikro- i nanopore, zbog čega takvi materijali imaju veliku specifičnu površinu te po maloj gustoći, fleksibilnosti i dinamičnosti. U ovom radu opisana je priprava četiriju spojeva cinka(II) s organskim, aromatskim dikiselinama kaoligandima. Dobiveni spojevi su karakterizirani pomoću FT-IR spektroskopije i termogravimetrijske (TG) analize. Rezultati ispitivanja upućuju na mogućnost nastanka poroznih materijala, s molekulskom i kristalnom građom nalik na poznati MOF5 spoj. TG analiza ukazuje na različite omjere cinka i vezanog liganda koji se pojavljuju u sintetiziranim materijalima te na to da se njihova termička stabilnost povećava s većim brojem alifatskih skupina u lancu liganda. Metodički dio rada sadrži pripremu za nastavnu jedinicu pod naslovom Cink i njegovi spojevi te biološka uloga cinka. Dva nastavna sata su zamišljena kao kombinacija frontalnog i grupnog rada uz izvođenje pokusa.Metaloorganic frameworks are porous materials that are built from inorganic(metals) and organic units (ligands). They are different from other porous materials fortheir large surface areas and pores, low density, flexibility and dinamics. Synthesis andanalysis of four novel compounds with Zn(II) cation and organic, aromatic diacids asligands are described in the thesis. The prepared compounds were characterized by meansof FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The obtained results indicatethat the porous material might be formed through described reactions and that theirmolecular and crystal structure could be similar to the structure of the well known MOF5compound. TG analysis indicates that zinc cation is bounde in different stochiometric ratiodepending on ligand used in a synthesis. Also, a thermal stability of the prepared complexcompounds increases as the number of atoms in the aliphatic chain becomes larger, i.e. asthe ligand was longer. In the teaching part of the thesis a lecture Zinc and his compoundsand biological functions of zinc has been prepared for high school students. Lesson wasdesigned as a combination of teacher's talk and students' group work with experiments

Biofortification of major crop plants with iron and zinc - achievements and future directions

Biofortification is a long-term strategy of delivering more iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) to those most in need. Plant breeding programs within the CGIAR and NARS have made major advances in Fe- and Zn-dense variety development and there have been successful releases of new biofortified varieties. Recent research effort has led to a substantial improvement in our knowledge of Fe and Zn homeostasis and gene regulation, resulting in the identification of candidate genes for marker assisted selection. International cooperation between the agricultural and nutrition community has been strengthened, with numerous implementation and partnership strategies developed and employed over the years. The evidence on the effectiveness of Fe and Zn biofortified crops is slowly building up and the results are encouraging. Biofortification continues to be scaled out and further work is required to reach the general aim of eradicating the hidden hunger of Fe and Zn deficiency in the world’s population and ensuring nutritional security

Technological application of algae

Alge su izrazito velika i raznolika taksonomska skupina živih organizama koja je prije 3,5 milijardi godina omogućila formaciju aerobnog života na Zemlji. S obzirom na sve brojnija otkrića vezana uz fiziologiju algi, mnoge tehnološke grane traže primjenu algi u različitim industrijama. Zbog količine lipida koje sadrže, alge se danas smatraju potencijalnim izvorom biogoriva koje bi jednoga dana zamijenilo fosilna goriva. Lipidi nisu jedini spojevi koje alge sadrže pa su se tako počeli iskorištavati i mnogobrojni drugi spojevi u prehrambenoj, farmaceutskoj i drugim industrijama. Za daljnje napretke u tehnologiji nužno je više istraživanja posvetiti određivanju fiziologije alga jer će u suprotnom puni potencijal algi ostati neotkriven i neiskorišten.Algae are extremely large and diverse taxonomic group of living organisms that enabled the formation of aerobic life on Earth 3.5 billion years ago. Considering the growing number of discoveries related to algal physiology , many technological branches are looking for the application of algae in different industries. Because of their content of lipids, algae are considered potential source of biofuel that may one day replace fossil fuels. Lipids are not the only component found in algae. Many other compounds have found use in pharmaceutical, food and other industries. For future progress in technology, it is necessary to do more research in determining physiology of algae, otherwise. the full potential of algae will remain undiscovered and unuse

Comparative assessment of erythrocyte sphingolipid levels as potential cardiovascular health markers in women from Libya and Serbia: a small-scale study

Aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide including Libya, where they account for 43% of all deaths. Sphingolipids are involved in the pathology of numerous diseases including cardiovascular diseases and are proposed as potential biomarkers of cardiovascular health that could be more effective compared to traditional clinical biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine the sphingolipid content in the erythrocyte membrane of Libyan migrant and Serbian resident women. In addition, to examine if sphingolipid levels could be used as a novel indicator of cardiovascular risk, we evaluated possible correlations with some well-established biomarkers of cardiovascular health. Materials and Methods: A total of 13 Libyan and 15 Serbian healthy women participated in the study. The high-performance version thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) using the image analysis tool JustTLC was applied for quantification of erythrocytes’ sphingolipids. Results: Lower mean values of erythrocytes’ sphingolipids and cholesterol concentrations were found in the group of Libyan emigrants compared to Serbian resident women. Besides, in this group of apparently healthy women (n = 28), the sphingolipid content of erythrocytes was inversely related to the Omega-3 index (r =-0.492, p = 0.008) and directly linked to vitamin D status (r = 0.433, p = 0.021) and membrane cholesterol levels (r = 0.474, p = 0.011). Conclusion: The erythrocytes’ sphingolipid levels should be measured/assessed as an additional biomarker of CV health, by applying a simple and routine method. Still, further investigation in a larger population-specific context is warranted