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A capacity to determine the provenance of high- value food products is of high scientific and economic interest. With the aim to develop a tool for geographical traceability of Croatian extra virgin olive oils (EVOO), multielement composition and 13C/12C isotope ratio in EVOO as well as the geochemistry of the associated soils were analysed in samples collected from three regions along the Croatian Adriatic coast. Soil geochemistry was shown to influence the transfer and elemental composition of EVOO. The most discriminating variables to distinguish EVOO from different regions were S, Mo, Rb, Mg, Pb, Mn, Sn, K, V and δ13C. The predictive models achieved high sensitivity and specificity, especially when carbon isotope composition was added. The results suggest that interregional geographical traceability of Croatian EVOO is possible based on matching their multielement composition with that of the soils in the provenance area.

Purpose Thallium (Tl) is one of the most toxic elements known and its contamination is an emerging environmental issue associated with base metal (zinc-lead) mining wastes. This study investigated the nature of Tl tolerance and accumulation in Silene latifolia, which has so far only been reported from field-collected samples. Methods Silene latifolia was grown in hydroponics at different Tl concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 30 and 60 μM Tl). Elemental analysis with Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and laboratory-based micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) were used to determine Tl accumulation and distribution in hydrated organs and tissues. Results This study revealed unusually high Tl concentrations in the shoots of S. latifolia, reaching up to 35,700 μg Tl g−1 in young leaves. The species proved to have exceptionally high levels of Tl tolerance and had a positive growth response when exposed to Tl dose rates of up to 5 μM. Laboratory-based μXRF analysis revealed that Tl is localized mainly at the base of the midrib and in the veins of leaves. This distribution differs greatly from that in other known Tl hyperaccumulators. Conclusions Our findings show that S. latifolia is among the strongest known Tl hyperaccumulators in the world. The species has ostensibly evolved mechanisms to survive excessive concentrations of Tl accumulated in its leaves, whilst maintaining lower Tl concentrations in the roots. This trait is of fundamental importance for developing future phytoextraction technologies using this species to remediate Tl-contaminated mine wastes.

Copper (Cu) locally contaminates soils and might negatively affect growth and yield of crops. A better understanding of plant copper tolerance and accumulation is needed in order to breed more Cu-tolerant or Cu-efficient crops. Cu tolerance was evaluated in different varieties of seven species (Brassica carinata, B. juncea, B. napus, Cynara cardunculus, Helianthus annuus, Nicotiana tabacum and Raphanus sativus) exposed to a series of CuSO4 concentrations (0.1–8 μM CuSO4) in the nutrient solution. Plants were further exposed to 0.1 μM CuSO4 and to their variety-specific concentrations that reduced root growth to 50% of the maximum rate (EC50). Among all the varieties of all the species the EC50 varied from 0.7 up to 3.1 μM Cu. B. carinata was significantly more Cu-sensitive than the other species, which were not significantly different among each other, and B. carinata and H. annuus accommodated significant intra-specific, inter-varietal variation. There were significant differences between species in Cu uptake efficiency and nutrient status. When under EC50 exposure, all the Brassicaceae, except B. carinata, maintained low Cu concentrations in shoots, whereas the other species and B. carinata exhibited significantly increased shoot Cu concentrations, compared to the control. There was no apparent relationship between Cu tolerance and Cu accumulation in roots and shoots, suggesting that the observed variation in tolerance, both between and within species, is not explained by differential exclusion capacity. Discriminant analysis and treatment comparisons suggest possible contribution of lignin, saturated fatty acids, manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in tolerance to high Cu concentrations in shoot.

In bumble bee colonies, pollen is the only protein source for larval feeding and its shortage causes a distress in larval development. Adult bumble bees need pollen for the development of glands and the reproductive system. In bumble bee rearing, honey bee collected pollen is used as the main protein source, either as fresh-frozen or dried pellets, and pollen provisioning is the most problematic and expensive aspect of mass rearing. In honey bee breeding, pollen substitutes are used during the period of food shortage or to stimulate colony strength. We tested different protein diets (five commercial pollen substitutes and two natural protein sources) for the maintenance of bumble bee colonies in captivity. We further mixed Feedbee®, one of the substitutes that gave the best results, with different amounts of pollen to evaluate the optimal amount needed for the whole colony development. Although none of the pure protein diets alone were adequate, diets with a 1 to 1 and 1 to 3 ratio of Feedbee to pollen were both suitable for colony development and queen production. The colony consumed between 2 and 4 g per day of the Feedbee mixed diets, corresponding to a protein consumption of 0.75-0.85 g day-1. Nevertheless, the consumption rate of the pure pollen showed that a mean amount of protein between 0.4 and 0.5 g day-1 was enough to allow colony development indicating the suitability of Feedbee mixed diets. Fil: Bortolotti, Laura. Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Pošćić, Filip. Institute For Adriatic Crops And Karst Reclamation; Croacia Fil: Bogo, Gherardo. Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Aims A potential of rare earth elements (including yttrium) (REY) accumulation in olives is increasing due to enhanced use of REY in human activities. REY transfer to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is little studied, and characterising the relationships between soil properties and REY concentrations in olive leaves, pomace and EVOO can enhance our understanding of soil-plant interactions. Methods Three different soil types (reclaimed karst, rendzina and cambisols), with the sum of REY concentrations (54–364 μg g−1) among the highest in European soils, were characterized for their pH, organic carbon, total carbonates and the applied agronomic practice. Aluminium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and REY were determined in soil (total and plant-available), olive leaves, pomace and EVOO. Results REY were mainly excluded from plant uptake and only small amounts of REY were transferred to leaves (0.2– 652 ng g−1), pomace (0.001–10 ng g−1) and EVOO (

Biscutella laevigata is the strongest known thallium (Tl) hyperaccumulator plant species. However, little is known about the ecophysiological processes leading to root uptake and translocation of Tl in this species, and the interactions between Tl and its chemical analogue potassium (K). Biscutella laevigata was subjected to hydroponics experimentation in which it was exposed to Tl and K, and it was investigated in a rhizobox experiment. Laboratory-based micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) was used to reveal the Tl distribution in the roots and leaves, while synchrotron-based μ-XRF was utilised to reveal elemental distribution in the seed. The results show that in the seed Tl was mainly localised in the endosperm and cotyledons. In mature plants, Tl was highest in the intermediate leaves (16,100 μg g−1), while it was one order of magnitude lower in the stem and roots. Potassium did not inhibit or enhance Tl uptake in B. laevigata. At the organ level, Tl was localised in the blade and margins of the leaves. Roots foraged for Tl and cycled Tl across roots growing in the control soils. Biscutella laevigata has ostensibly evolved specialised mechanisms to tolerate high Tl concentrations in its shoots. The lack of interactions and competition between Tl and K suggests that it is unlikely that Tl is taken up via K channels, but high affinity Tl transporters remain to be identified in this species. Thallium is not only highly toxic but also a valuable metal and Tl phytoextraction using B. laevigata should be explored.

This study presents an analytical procedure for measuring the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio in olive oil and pomace using multicollector-inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). The developed method combines liquid-liquid extraction with an acid solution and degradation of organic residues in the extract by dry ashing and oxidation by H2O2 and HNO3. The method enabled 87Sr/86Sr ratios to be obtained in olive oil with Sr content as low as 0.2 ng g􀀀 1, with a precision of 54 ppm. The method’s validity was confirmed by an interlaboratory comparison using NIST SRM 2387, providing the first data on its elemental Sr (2380 ± 230 ng g􀀀 1; n = 10), and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic composition (0.70908 ± 0.00004; n = 14). The procedure was applied to olive oil and pomace samples, showing that they have an identical 87Sr/86Sr ratio, which was consistent with that determined in soils from the same orchards. The results thus revealed that Sr isotopic ratios of olive oil and pomace can both be used in geographical traceability studies of olive oil, which means that, instead of processing large volume of oil, characteristic 87Sr/86Sr signatures of olive oil can be more easily obtained by analyzing small quantities of pomace obtained by centrifuging the oil. &nbsp

Cerium (Ce) has been reported to be both beneficial and harmful to plants. This contradiction deserves explanation in the light of increased anthropogenic release of Ce in the environment. Ce tolerance and accumulation were evaluated in hydroponically cultivated Brassica napus L. (rapeseed). Ce and other nutrient concentrations were measured with increasing Ce concentration in the nutrient solution. Moreover, Ce and calcium (Ca) accumulation were evaluated at different Ca and Ce concentrations in nutrient solution and a Michaelis-Menten type inhibition model considering Ce and Ca competition was tested. Plants were also sprayed with Ce solution in Ca-deficient media. Ce decreased the growth and root function, which affected shoot nutritional status. Calcium was the most severely inhibited nutrient in both roots and shoots. High Ca concentrations in the nutrient solution inhibited Ce accumulation in a non-competitive way. Moreover, phosphorus (P) precipitated Ce inside root cells. Ce spraying did not alleviate Ca deficiency symptoms and the results were critically compared to the available literature.

Analysis of elements in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is challenging due to the complex oil matrix as well as very low element concentrations in oil. We postulate that inadequate sample preparation (in particular, the presence of pomace residue in oil) may significantly contribute to variations in EVOO element concentrations. In order to confirm this hypothesis, EVOO and pomace samples were analysed for content of 29 elements by ultrasonic acid extraction and ICP-MS detection. Comparative analyses of non-centrifuged and centrifuged EVOO samples confirmed significant influence of pomace residues on element concentrations. Ranges of macronutrients (25–286 ng g−1), micronutrients (0.3–1.1 ng g−1) and trace elements (0.001–0.2 ng g−1) in centrifuged EVOO samples were up to 1000 times lower than in non-centrifuged oils. We have shown that pomace residue, even when present in very small quantity (1 g of pomace in 1 kg of oil), significantly altered concentrations and relative proportions of many elements in EVOO. Therefore, adequate sample pre-treatment (removal of pomace residue via centrifugation) is essential for determining real multi-element composition of olive oil. This is critical in application of EVOO multi-element composition in traceability studies and determination of geographic origin of olive oil.

Air pollution refers to the occurrence of toxic substances in the atmosphere which results in detrimental effects to human beings and living environments. Among the most common atmospheric pollutants, Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAHs) are the most common substances originated by vehicles. The aim of the study was to investigate the accumulation of 16 PAHs in leaves of six evergreen shrubs frequently used in Italy for urban landscaping ( Elaeagnus x ebbingei , Ilex aquifolium , Laurus nobilis , Ligustrum japonicum , Photinia x fraserii and Viburnum lucidum ). The study was conducted in two sites: a public park and a high traffic square. Six samplings were performed in a period of 26 months during Winter. The plants tolerance was investigated considering leaf-extract pH, total chlorophyll, leaf ascorbic acid content and relative leaf water content. A morphological leaf characterization was also carried out considering stomatal density and cuticle width. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, fluorene and pyrene were the major compounds yielded in the plant leaves accounting for about 83% of ΣPAHs, the contributions being 53%, 11.3%, 10.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Such compounds are related to vehicular emissions. The analysis of the PHAs accumulation and the evaluation of the plants tolerance also revealed that the efficiency in trapping 5- and 6-rings potentially carcinogenic PAHs such as benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene in plant leaves is highest for Elaeagnus x ebbingei , L. japonicum and L. nobilis while Elaeagnus x ebbingei and Photinia x fraserii resulted to be those most tolerant to air pollution. The role of plants in mitigating traffic pollution is confirmed.

An important part of agriculture in the European Mediterranean area is olive (Olea europaea L.) production. Characterising the relationships between properties of different soils where olive is grown and nutrient status in olive leaves can enhance our understanding of soil-plant interactions. Three different soils (Terra rossa, Rendzina, Lithosol) were characterized for their physical and chemical characteristics ; plant- available nutrients were extracted with ammonium nitrate. Soils, soil extracts and leaf digests were analysed for nutrients and for nitrogen in soils and leaf. A redundancy analysis (RDA) was applied to elucidate relationships between soil properties and leaf nutrients. As revealed by RDA, leaf concentrations of Mg, K, Ca and micronutrients were explained by available Mg, total carbonates and soil organic carbon in topsoil. Leaf concentration of Na was associated with total Na in topsoil. Copper and Mo deficiencies were detected in plants grown in Lithosol, and Mg, P, Mn and Zn deficiencies were noted in all plants. Through appropriate agronomic techniques, Lithosols can be used for olive groves, but they have significant limitation regarding nutrient availability. Our results support the relevance of using soil nutrient variability to provide a basis for optimisation of measures for olive groves.

Biscutella laevigata is a facultative metallophyte, with populations on non-metalliferous and metalliferous soils. Some of its metallicolous populations have been shown to hyperaccumulate thallium or lead in nature. Only Tl hyperaccumulation has been experimentally confirmed. We aimed to compare the patterns of metal (hyper)accumulation and genetic diversity among populations of B. laevigata subsp. laevigata in NE Italy. None of the populations exhibited foliar hyperaccumulation of Cu, Zn, or Pb. The root-to-shoot accumulation rates for these metals were unchanged or decreased rather than enhanced in the metallicolous populations, in comparison with the non-metallicolous ones. Hyperaccumulation of Tl was confined to the population of the Cave del Predil mine. This population was genetically very distinct from the others, as demonstrated by AFLP-based cluster analysis. The two other mine populations did not surpass the threshold for Tl hyperaccumulation, but showed enhanced foliar Tl concentrations and root-to-shoot translocation rates, in comparison with the non-metallicolous populations. Genetic analysis suggested that adaptation to metalliferous soil must have been independently evolved in the metallicolous populations.

The present study aimed to examine the effect of foliar (Mn_fol) and soil Zeolite-Mn (Mn_ZA) application on leaf mineral, total phenolic and oleuropein content, and mycorrhizae colonization of self-rooted cv. Leccino plantlets grown on calcareous soil. RESULTS The dissolution of zeolite was 97% when citric acid was applied at 0.05?mM?dm?3, suggesting that organic acids excreted by roots can dissolve modified zeolite (Mn_ZA), making Mn available for plant uptake. The leaf Mn concentration was the highest for Mn_fol treatment at 90 days after transplanting (DAT) (172?mg?kg?1) and 150 DAT (70?mg?kg?1) compared to other treatments. Mn_ZA soil application increased leaf Mn concentration at 150 DAT compared to control and NPK treatments. The oleuropein leaf content was highest for Mn_fol compared to other treatments at 90 DAT and lowest at 150 DAT. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was higher for Mn_fol treatment at 150 DAT compared to all other treatments. CONCLUSION Changes in the arbuscular colonization percentage and oleuropein content may be connected to stress conditions provoked by a high leaf Mn concentration in the Mn_fol treatment at 90 DAT. Mn_ZA application increased leaf Mn concentration at 150 DAT compared to control and NPK treatments. It can be assumed that the dominant mechanism in Mn uptake from modified zeolite is Mn_ZA dissolution through root exudates. ? 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

The aims of our experiment were to evaluate the uptake and translocation of cerium and titanium oxide nanoparticles and to verify their effects on the growth cycle of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Barley plants were grown to physiological maturity in soil enriched with either 0, 500 or 1000 mg center dot kg(-1) cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO(2)) or titanium oxide nanoparticles (nTiO(2)) and their combination. The growth cycle of nCeO(2) and nTiO(2) treated plants was about 10 days longer than the controls. In nCeO(2) treated plants the number of tillers, leaf area and the number of spikes per plant were reduced respectively by 35.5%, 28.3% and 30% (p

Thallium hyperaccumulation has previously been observed in the field but there are no laboratory confirmations for Biscutella laevigata. Tolerance and accumulation of thallium and its chemical analogue caesium were compared in one non-metallicolous and three metallicolous (calamine) populations of the candidate Tl hyperaccumulator species, B. laevigata. Tolerance and accumulation were evaluated in hydroponics. Moreover, Tl and Cs accumulation were measured at different K concentrations in the nutrient solution. Seedlings were also grown in Tl contaminated calamine soil. Estimated from their root growth response, all the calamine populations showed hypertolerance to Tl, although to very different degrees. Foliar Tl hyperaccumulation from hydroponics and soil was apparent in two populations. In one of them, it was a high-affinity phenomenon, but it was only apparent at high Tl exposure levels, and not associated with enhanced root-to-shoot translocation in the other one. There was no considerable inter-population variation in Cs tolerance and accumulation, except that one population showed a relatively low Cs retention in its roots under low exposure. Tl hyperaccumulation and hypertolerance are population-specific traits in B. laevigata. Cs accumulation and tolerance are less variable and largely uncorrelated with Tl accumulation and tolerance.

Engineered nanoscale materials (ENMs) are considered emerging contaminants since they are perceived as a potential threat to the environment and the human health. The reactions of living organisms when exposed to metal nanoparticles (NPs) or NPs of different size are not well known. Very few studies on NPs-plant interactions have been published, so far. For this reason there is also great concern regarding the potential NPs impact to food safety. Early genotoxic and phytotoxic effects of cerium oxide NPs (nCeO2) and titanium dioxide NPs (nTiO2) were investigated in seedlings of Hordeum University of Parma, Italy vulgare L. Caryopses were exposed to an aqueous dispersion of nCeO2 and nTiO2 at, respectively 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg l-1 for 7 days. Genotoxicity was studied by Randomly Amplified Polymorphism DNA (RAPDs) and mitotic index on root tip cells. Differences between treated and control plants were observed in RAPD banding patterns as well as at the chromosomal level with a reduction of cell divisions. At cellular level we monitored the oxidative stress of treated plants in terms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and ATP content. Again nCeO2 influenced clearly these two physiological parameters, while nTiO2 were ineffective. In particular, the dose 500 mg l-1 showed the highest increase regarding both ROS generation and ATP content; the phenomenon were detectable, at different extent, both at root and shoot level. Total Ce and Ti concentration in seedlings was detected by ICP-OES. TEM EDSX microanalysis demonstrated the presence of aggregates of nCeO2 and nTiO2 within root cells of barley. nCeO2 induced modifications in the chromatin aggregation mode in the nuclei of both root and shoot cells.

The implications of metal nanoparticles (MeNPs) are still unknown for many food crops. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cerium oxide (nCeO₂) and titanium oxide (nTiO₂) nanoparticles in soil at 0, 500 and 1000 mg·kg(-1) on the nutritional parameters of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) kernels. Mineral nutrients, amylose, β-glucans, amino acid and crude protein (CP) concentrations were measured in kernels. Whole flour samples were analyzed by ICP-AES/MS, HPLC and Elemental CHNS Analyzer. Results showed that Ce and Ti accumulation under MeNPs treatments did not differ from the control treatment. However, nCeO₂ and nTiO₂ had an impact on composition and nutritional quality of barley kernels in contrasting ways. Both MeNPs left β-glucans unaffected but reduced amylose content by approximately 21%. Most amino acids and CP increased. Among amino acids, lysine followed by proline saw the largest increase (51% and 37%, respectively). Potassium and S were both negatively impacted by MeNPs, while B was only affected by 500 mg nCeO₂·kg(-1). On the contrary Zn and Mn concentrations were improved by 500 mg nTiO₂·kg(-1), and Ca by both nTiO₂ treatments. Generally, our findings demonstrated that kernels are negatively affected by nCeO₂ while nTiO₂ can potentially have beneficial effects. However, both MeNPs have the potential to negatively impact malt and feed production.

An ecological survey of metallophytes belonging to the Thlaspietum cepaeifolii plant community was carried out at the former Raibl lead and zinc mining site (Julian Alps, Italy). The aims of this work were to evaluate metal hyperaccumulation and to determine whether it was restricted to a single element or, instead, involved multiple elements. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Tl and Zn were measured in specimens of Alyssum wulfenianum, Biscutella laevigata subsp. laevigata, Minuartia verna and Thlaspi rotundifolium subsp. cepaeifolium collected from native and mining soils, mine tailings and stream banks. Cadmium hyperaccumulation was not demonstrated, whereas in the case of Pb and Zn contradictory results were obtained. Thallium hyperaccumulation was strongly confirmed in B. laevigata subsp. laevigata (up to 32,661 mg kg−1 of Tl in shoots and bioconcentration factor > 1). Surprisingly, this was also discovered in A. wulfenianum and M. verna (up to 1934 and 3632 mg kg−1 of Tl in shoots, respectively, and bio...

Metallic nanoparticles (MeNPs) can be formed in living plants by reduction of the metal ions absorbed as soluble salts. It is very likely that plant metabolism has an important role in MeNP biosynthesis. The in vivo formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was observed in Brassica juncea, Festuca rubra and Medicago sativa. Plants were grown in Hoagland's solution for 30 days and then exposed for 24 h to a solution of 1,000 ppm AgNO3. In the leaf extracts of control plants, the concentrations of glucose, fructose, ascorbic acid, citric acid and total polyphenols were determined. Total Ag content in plant fractions was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Despite the short exposure time, the Ag uptake and translocation to plant leaves was very high, reaching 6,156 and 2,459 mg kg-1 in B. juncea and F. rubra, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and AgNPs were detected by TEM X-ray microanalysis. TEM images of plant fractions showed the in vivo formation of AgNPs in the roots, stems and leaves of the plants. In the roots, AgNPs were present in the cortical parenchymal cells, on the cell wall of the xylem vessels and in regions corresponding to the pits. In leaf tissues, AgNPs of different sizes and shapes were located close to the cell wall, as well as in the cytoplasm and within chloroplasts. AgNPs were not observed in the phloem of the three plant species. This is the first report of AgNP synthesis in living plants of F. rubra. The contents of reducing sugars and antioxidant compounds, proposed as being involved in the biosynthesis of AgNPs, were quite different between the species, thus suggesting that it is unlikely that a single substance is responsible for this process. MSC 2010: 92 Biology and other natural sciences; 92Cxx Physiological, cellular and medical topics; 92C80 Plant biology.