Iodine Biofortification of Dandelion Plants (Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wiggers Coll.) with the Use of Inorganic and Organic Iodine Compounds.

Iodine is a crucial microelement necessary for the proper functioning of human and animal organisms. Plant biofortification has been proposed as a method of improving the iodine status of the population. Recent studies in that field have revealed that iodine may also act as a beneficial element for higher plants. The aim of the work was to evaluate the efficiency of the uptake and accumulation of iodine in the plants of dandelion grown in a pot experiment. During cultivation, iodine was applied through fertigation in inorganic (KI, KIO3) and organic forms (5-iodosalicylic acid, 5-ISA; 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid, 3,5-diISA) at two concentrations (10 and 50 µM). The contents of total iodine and iodosalicylic acids, as well the plant biomass and antioxidant capacity of dandelion leaves and roots, were analyzed. The uptake of inorganic and organic forms by dandelion plants was confirmed with no negative effect on plant growth. The highest efficiency of improving iodine content in dandelion leaves and roots was noted for 50 µM KI. The applicability of iodosalicylates, especially 5-ISA, for plant biofortification purposes was confirmed, particularly as the increase in the iodine content after the application of 5-ISA was higher as compared to that with commonly used KIO3. The chemical analyses have revealed that iodosalicylates are endogenous compounds of dandelion plants.

Transcriptomic and metabolic studies on the role of inorganic and organic iodine compounds in lettuce plants.

Iodine (I) is considered a beneficial element or even micronutrient for plants. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular and physiological processes of uptake, transport, and metabolism of I applied to lettuce plants. KIO3, KIO3 + salicylic acid, 5-iodosalicylic acid and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid were applied. RNA-sequencing was executed using 18 cDNA libraries constructed separately for leaves and roots from KIO3, SA and control plants. De novo transcriptome assembly generated 1937.76 million sequence reads resulting in 27,163 transcripts with N50 of 1638 bp. 329 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in roots were detected after application of KIO3, out of which 252 genes were up-regulated, and 77 were down-regulated. In leaves, 9 genes revealed differential expression pattern. DEGs analysis indicated its involvement in such metabolic pathways and processes as: chloride transmembrane transport, phenylpropanoid metabolism, positive regulation of defense response and leaf abscission, and also ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, circadian rhythm including flowering induction as well as a putative PDTHA (i.e. Plant Derived Thyroid Hormone Analogs) metabolic pathway. qRT-PCR of selected genes suggested their participation in the transport and metabolism of iodine compounds, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, PDTHA pathway and flowering induction.

The Influence of Hydroponic Potato Plant Cultivation on Selected Properties of Starch Isolated from Its Tubers.

Starch is a natural polysaccharide for which the technological quality depends on the genetic basis of the plant and the environmental conditions of the cultivation. Growing plants under cover without soil has many advantages for controlling the above-mentioned conditions. The present research focuses on determining the effect of under cover hydroponic potato cultivation on the physicochemical properties of accumulated potato starch (PS). The plants were grown in the hydroponic system, with (greenhouse, GH) and without recirculation nutrient solution (foil tunnel, FT). The reference sample was PS isolated from plants grown in a tunnel in containers filled with mineral soil (SO). The influence of the cultivation method on the elemental composition of the starch molecules was noted. The cultivation method also influenced the protein and amylose content of the PS. Considering the chromatic parameters, PS-GH and PS-FT were brighter and whiter, with a tinge of blue, than PS-SO. PS-SO was also characterized by the largest average diameters of granules, while PS-GH had the lowest crystallinity. PS-SO showed a better resistance to the combined action of elevated temperature and shear force. There was a slight variation in the gelatinization temperature values. Additionally, significant differences for enthalpy and the retrogradation ratio were observed. The cultivation method did not influence the glass transition and melting.

Effectiveness of Foliar Biofortification of Carrot With Iodine and Selenium in a Field Condition.

Iodine (I) and selenium (Se) are essential to human and animal development. There is a worldwide deficit of I and Se in the diet of humans, as well as in animals. It is advisable to enrich plants with these elements to ensure adequate uptake in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the application of I and Se in the cultivation of carrot crops, to better understand the metabolic pathways and processes of I applied through foliar spray. Carrots were fertilized with 4-fold foliar applications of I and Se, which were applied as the liquid fertilizers "I + Se", "Solo iodine" and "Solo selenium", all containing an organic stabilizer, in two field trials. Foliar nutrient applications of I and Se were translocated by the plant for storage in the roots. The level of enriched I and Se in the roots was considered safe for the consumer. The Recommended Daily Allowance values for I and Se in the roots of 100 g of fresh carrots are 4.16% and 4.37%, respectively. Furthermore, I and Se accumulated in the roots to a level that was physiologically tolerated by carrot. Biofortification through foliar feeding did not impact negatively on the yield or quality of the carrot crop. Iodides applied via foliar application were the dominant form of I in the plant tissues and were included in the metabolic process of the synthesis of iodosalicylates, iodobenzoates, iodotyrosine (I-Tyr), and plant-derived thyroid hormone analogs. No synergistic or antagonistic interaction between I and Se, with respect to the effectiveness of biofortification in roots, was observed in any treatments. The molar ratio of I:Se in the roots after foliar application of both elements was approximately 1.6:1 and was similar to the control (1.35:1).

Anti- and pro-oxidant potential of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) biofortified with iodine by KIO3, 5-iodo- and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid in human gastrointestinal cancer cell lines.

Vegetables are particularly rich sources of micronutrients and phytochemicals such as polyphenols and vitamins. These plant-derived bioactive compounds provide antitumor and antioxidant properties due to their capacity to interact with reactive oxygen species (ROS). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of iodine biofortification (potassium iodate/KIO3/, 5-iodosalicylic acid/5-ISA/, and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid/3,5-diISA/) on the antioxidant activity of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. capitata) cv. 'Melodion'. In this work, HPLC analysis was used to identify polyphenolic compounds while the antioxidant activity of iodine-enriched vegetables was determined by using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. The content of the water-soluble vitamins was analyzed by using the LC-MS/MS technique. The impact of extracts from iodine-biofortified lettuce on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in gastrointestinal cancer cells was also evaluated. The results from this research indicate that application of iodine compounds improves the antioxidant potential of lettuce by increasing the concentration of some vitamins, antioxidant enzymes and polyphenolic compounds in the enriched plants. Moreover, the study has shown that iodine-biofortified lettuce induces production of ROS in cancer cells, resulting in an anticancer effect by the induction of programmed cancer cell death.

The effect of structural properties on rheological behaviour of starches in binary dimethyl sulfoxide-water solutions.

This research study analysed the rheological properties of potato amylose and potato amylopectin in binary solutions of the following water and dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations: 90% DMSO (1), 80% DMSO (2) and 50% DMSO (3), with preparation methodology involving the dissolution at the temperature of 98°C. The studies of dynamic light scattering on the biopolymer coils and the determination of main relaxation times of the solutions were carried out. For the amylose solutions, the fast relaxation phenomena are predominant. The results of the quality tests of the hysteresis loop showed, that the amylose solutions in the solvents (1) and (2) are rheologically stable and shear-thickened. The amylose solutions in solvents (3) reveal oscillatory alterations of viscosity in the time. Amylopectin solutions are characterized by 80% share of slow relaxation phenomena, very low diffusion coefficients and hydrodynamic radii in the range of 2000 nm. The amylopectin solutions are rheologically unstable.

Quality of fresh and stored carrots depending on iodine and nitrogen fertilization.

INTRODUCTION: Iodine is an important mineral nutrient essential for a proper functioning of human and animal organism. Despite current programmes of iodine prophylaxis (mainly based on salt iodization) approximately 30-38% of human population has insufficient iodine intake. Crop plants can become an efficient vector of this element in the food chain. Iodine is not a nutrient for plants. For that reason, in addition to determining the possibility of increasing iodine content in crop plant it is necessary to describe its impact on yield quality. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of soil fertilization with iodine and nitrogen on the quality of carrot roots and its storage ability. METHODS: In 2008-2010 the field study with carrot cv. 'Kazan F1' was conducted. A differential soil fertilization with iodine (in the form of I(-) or IO3(-)) and nitrogen (as NO3(-) or NH4(+)) was applied in the experiment: (1) control without N and I, (2) KI application without N, (3) KIO3 application without N, (4) KI+Ca(NO3)2, (5) KIO3+Ca(NO3)2, (6) KI+(NH4)2SO4 and (7) KIO3+(NH4)2SO4. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design. Iodine (in both forms) was applied pre-sowing in a dose of 2 kg I ha(-1). Nitrogen in the form of Ca(NO3)2 and (NH4)2SO4 was introduced pre-sowing and as a top dressing, each dose of 100 kg N ha(-1). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A diverse, statistically significant influence of tested factors on the activity of free radical-scavenging (DPPH) and the content of: dry matter, glucose, fructose, sucrose, total soluble sugars, soluble solids - Brix %, phenolic compounds, phenylpropanoids, flavonols, anthocyanins and carotenoids was noted in carrot roots directly after the harvest as well as at the end of four-month storage. Iodine applied with relatively high doses of nitrogen decreased the quality of fresh carrot. After storage, opposite relations were noted for tested combinations (with I and N application) with respect to carrot quality when compared to results obtained after the harvest. The lowest storage ability was found for carrot treated with KI without N. Obtained results directly suggest the need for developing individual agronomic rules for iodine biofortification of carrot for: (a) consumption and/or processing directly after the harvest and (b) long-term storage.