Specialty and high-quality coffee: discrimination through elemental characterization via ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and ICP-MS/MS of origin, species, and variety.

Background: This study aimed to establish the elemental profiling and origin combined with the genetic asset of coffee samples collected from major coffee-producing countries. A total of 76 samples were analysed for 41 elements using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and inductively coupled plasma-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). The mineral composition of the silver skin detachment during the roasting process was also evaluated to verify the loss of minerals during roasting, differences in composition with beans, and between species.

The suppression of TdMRP3 genes reduces the phytic acid and increases the nutrient accumulation in durum wheat grain.

Micronutrient malnutrition affects more than half of the world population. Reduced bioavailability of microelements in the raw materials is considered one of the main causes of mineral deficiency in populations whose diet is largely based on the consumption of staple crops. In this context, the production of low phytic acid () cereals is a main goal of the breeding programs, as phytic acid (PA) binds essential mineral cations such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) precipitating in the form of phytate salts poorly digested by monogastric animals, including humans, due to the lack of phytases in the digestive tract.

Determination of Glyphosate in White and Brown Rice with HPLC-ICP-MS/MS.

Background: In 2017, the European Commission renewed the approval of glyphosate (GLY) but only for five years. GLY remains one of the most controversial and studied molecules. Method: A simplified method was tested for the determination of GLY in white rice (WR) and brown rice (BR), after extraction only with a methanol solution, by liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled mass triple quadrupole (HPLC-ICP-MS/MS) with a PRP-X100 anionic column.

Evolution of microbial communities and nutritional content of fermented Amaranthus sp. leaves.

Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) is a promising indigenous leafy vegetable plant capable of contributing to food security in sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to its adaptability to diverse soils and its drought tolerance. Its edible parts such as leaves are characterized by high nutrient content.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Inhibitory Activity of Different Selenium Chemical Forms on the Growth of a Strain Isolated from Rice Seedlings.

In this study, the in vitro effects of different Se concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 100 mg kg) from different Se forms (sodium selenite, sodium selenate, selenomethionine, and selenocystine) on the development of a strain isolated from rice were investigated. A concentration-dependent effect was detected. Se reduced fungal growth starting from 10 mg kg and increasing the concentration (15, 20, and 100 mg kg) enhanced the inhibitory effect.

Fermentation as a tool for increasing food security and nutritional quality of indigenous African leafy vegetables: the case of Cucurbita sp.

Sub-Saharan region is often characterized by food and nutrition insecurity especially "hidden hunger" which results from inadequate micronutrients in diets. African indigenous leafy vegetables (AILVs) can represent a valid food source of micronutrients, but they often go to waste resulting in post-harvest losses. In an attempt to prolong AILVs shelf-life while enhancing their nutritional quality, fermentation was studied from a microbiological and nutritional point of view.

Provenance discrimination of Sorrento lemon with Protected Geographical indication (PGI) by multi-elemental fingerprinting.

Multielement analysis and chemometric methods were proposed to discriminate the Sorrento lemon (PGI) juices according to geographical origin. In 2018 and 2019, 169 fruits from three farms in PGI area and two in not-PGI area were collected and analysed for essential and not-essential elements by ICP-MS. The PCA of multielement fingerprinting grouped lemon juices from PGI farms revealing a strong differentiation at small geographical scale.

Bioaugmented Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soils and Sediments by Hemp and Giant Reed.

We assessed the effects of EDTA and selected plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the phytoremediation of soils and sediments historically contaminated by Cr, Ni, and Cu. A total of 42 bacterial strains resistant to these heavy metals (HMs) were isolated and screened for PGP traits and metal bioaccumulation, and two spp. strains were finally selected.

Influence of nitrogen-based fertilization on nitrates occurrence in groundwater of hilly vineyards.

Nitrogen losses from intensive agricultural production may end up as high nitrate (NO) concentrations in groundwater, with a long-term impact on groundwater quality. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of fertilization practices used for grape cultivation on groundwater quality of Tidone Valley, northwest of Italy, following an integrated socio-hydrogeological approach that consists on (i) the involvement of 175 farmers in the description of agricultural and fertilization practices, using a survey of ad hoc questionnaires, (ii) the evaluation of NO occurrence in groundwater and (iii) the identification of NO sources through isotopic and hydrochemical analysis. In this area, as for certain particular Apennines shallow aquifers, groundwater is of reduced interest due to its limited storage capacity and there are insufficient wells currently monitored by the local Environmental Agency (ARPAE) to evaluate the impact of agricultural fertilization on existing local aquifers.

Phytoremediation Potential of Crop Plants in Countering Nickel Contamination in Carbonation Lime Coming from the Sugar Industry.

The phytoremediation potential of four crop species cultivated on carbonation lime coming from the sugar industry with water-soluble nickel (Ni) exceeding the Italian legal limit of 10 µg L was assessed. Two autumn-winter species (spinach and canola) were tested with and without the addition of bentonite in a greenhouse experiment in order to overcome prolonged unfavourable weather conditions. Two spring-summer species (sunflower and sorghum) were grown in outdoor boxes.

With or Without You: Altered Plant Response to Boron-Deficiency in Hydroponically Grown Grapevines Infected by Grapevine Pinot Gris Virus Suggests a Relation Between Grapevine Leaf Mottling and Deformation Symptom Occurrence and Boron Plant Availability.

Despite the increasing spread of Grapevine Leaf Mottling and Deformation (GLMD) worldwide, little is known about its etiology. After identification of grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) as the presumptive causal agent of the disease in 2015, various publications have evaluated GPGV involvement in GLMD. Nevertheless, there are only partial clues to explain the presence of GPGV in both symptomatic and asymptomatic grapevines and the mechanisms that trigger symptom development, and so a consideration of new factors is required.

Root-shoot-root Fe translocation in cucumber plants grown in a heterogeneous Fe provision.

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plant life and development. However, in soil, Fe bioavailability is often limited and variable in space and time, thus different regions of the same root system might be exposed to different nutrient provisions. Few studies showed that the response to variable Fe provision is controlled at local and systemic levels, albeit the identity of the signals involved is still elusive.

Effect of Feed Supplemented with Selenium-Enriched Olive Leaves on Plasma Oxidative Status, Mineral Profile, and Leukocyte DNA Damage in Growing Rabbits.

This study investigated the effect of a dietary combination of selenium and olive leaves on rabbit health status in order to evaluate the potential use of these combinations as functional ingredients in feed and food. Sixty weaning rabbits were fed with three diets: control feed (C), control feed + 10% normal olive leaves (OL), or olive leaves enriched in Se (2.17 mg Se/kg d.

Geographical identification of Chianti red wine based on ICP-MS element composition.

Chianti is a precious red wine and enjoys a high reputation for its high quality in the world wine market. Despite this, the production region is small and product needs efficient tools to protect its brands and prevent adulterations. In this sense, ICP-MS combined with chemometrics has demonstrated its usefulness in food authentication.

Use of Selenium-enriched olive leaves in the feed of growing rabbits: Effect on oxidative status, mineral profile and Selenium speciation of Longissimus dorsi meat.

In the present study the use of Selenium-fortified olive leaves as potential dietary source of Se in rabbit nutrition was evaluated. Sixty New Zealand White rabbits (35 days of age) were randomly assigned to the following dietary treatments: standard diet (C), and C supplemented with either 10% olive leaves (OL) or 10% Selenium-fortified olive leaves (SeOL; 100 mg/L of foliar spray sodium selenate solution). At 70 days of age, 10 rabbits per group were slaughtered and the oxidative status, mineral profile and Selenium speciation of Longissimus dorsi meat was analyzed.

Selenium Biofortification in Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Sprouting: Effects on Se Yield and Nutritional Traits with Focus on Phenolic Acid Profile.

The contents of total Se and of inorganic and organic Se species, as well as the contents of proteins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, were measured in 10-day old sprouts of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) obtained with increasing levels (15, 45, 135, and 405 mg Se L) of sodium selenite and sodium selenate and with distilled water as control. Increasing Se levels increased organic and inorganic Se contents of sprouts, as well as the content of phenolic acids, especially in their soluble conjugated forms.

Total As and As Speciation in Italian Rice as Related to Producing Areas and Paddy Soils Properties.

Rice and rice-based foodstuffs are important pathways for inorganic As dietary intake. This work shows a detailed picture of As content and speciation in Italian rice, which contributes to more than one-half of the European production, and addresses the role of soil chemistry and agronomic management on As concentration in rice grain, in view of ameliorative strategies. The mean total As content in Italian white rice was 155 ± 65 μg kg with significant differences among producing areas, while the mean inorganic As was 102 ± 26 μg kg, largely below the E.

Selenium speciation profiles in biofortified sangiovese wine.

Biofortification is an agronomic-based strategy, utilized by farmers, to produce selenium (Se)-enriched food products that may help reduce dietary deficiencies of Se occurring throughout susceptible regions of the world. The foliar exposure route application ensures a high efficiency of Se assimilation by the plant since it does not depend on root-to-shoot translocation. In this study we treated grapevines of Sangiovese variety in the pre-flowering period with sodium selenate (100mg Se L).

Determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) by HPLC-Online isotopic dilution-ICP MS.

This work provides a method with application of valid techniques to extract and determinate inorganic species of antimony (Sb) for water. The procedure involves•the simultaneous accumulation of Sb(III) and Sb(V) on passive samplers like Diffusive Gradient in Thin Films (DGT) with iron (Fe) oxide gel, eliminating the risk of speciation changes due to transport and storage;•application of less concentrated acid (50 mM Na2EDTA) for elution and preservation of Sb species from DGT resin;•subsequent analytical determination of inorganic species with High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Isotopic Dilution-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (HPLC-ID-ICP MS) based on determination of the isotope ratio ((123)Sb/(121)Sb) of isotopes in the samples after spiking with 123Sb enriched standard solution, reducing the effect of signal drift and matrix effect on the final value.