Essential Trace Element Status in Foreign First-Year Students Attending RUDN University

Background and Objective: Micronutrient deficiency is characterized by strong geographic patterns. The objective of the present study was to perform comparative analysis of essential trace elements levels in hair and urine of Russian and foreign first-year students attending the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University, Moscow). Materials and Methods: The study involved 65 first-year RUDN University students from Russia as well as 207 foreign first-year students from Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Evaluation of hair and urinary copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) content was performed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Results: Hair Cu content in Russian students was found to be higher than that in examinees from Asia and Middle East by 25 and 32%, respectively. Hair Fe content in students from Asia, Middle East and Latin America were 30, 66 and 29% lower when compared to the control values. The hair iodine levels in the students from Middle East were lower than those of Russia, Asia, Africa and Latin America by a factor of 3.4, 3.6, 5.5 and 4.7 respectively. The highest hair Se levels were observed in Asian students. Hair Zn content in African students was found to be lower than that in Russian, Asian, Middle East and Latin American counterparts by 30, 30, 26 and 16%, respectively. Urinary metal levels partially corresponded to the observed patterns in hair. Zn excretion tended to be higher in all foreign students when compared to the Russian values. However, no significant group difference in urinary iodine levels were observed. Conclusion: The results correspond to the geographic patterns of the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency. Monitoring and modulation of nutritional trace element status may improve health and educational performance in students

Selenium and Other Elements in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Wheat Bread from a Seleniferous Area

The objective of the present study was to assess the levels of Se, as well as other essential and toxic trace elements in wheat grains and traditional Roti-bread from whole-grain flour in a seleniferous area of Punjab (India) using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Wheat grain and bread selenium levels originating from seleniferous areas exceeded the control values by a factor of more than 488 and 179, respectively. Se-rich wheat was also characterized by significantly increased Cu and Mn levels. Se-rich bread also contained significantly higher levels of Cr, Cu, I, Mn, and V. The level of Li and Sr was reduced in both Se-enriched wheat and bread samples. Roti bread from Se-enriched wheat was also characterized by elevated Al, Cd, and Ni, as well as reduced As and Hg content as compared to the respective control values. Se intake with Se-rich bread was estimated as more than 13,600% of RDA. Daily intake of Mn with both Se-unfortified and Se-fortified bread was 133% and 190% of RDA. Therefore, Se-rich bread from wheat cultivated on a seleniferous area of Punjab (India) may be considered as a potent source of selenium, although Se status should be monitored throughout dietary intervention. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature