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The genetic gain for mineral concentration obtained over several selection cycles is not known for common bean. The objectives of this study were to investigate the correlations between minerals, to estimate genetic gain for mineral concentration in common bean lines, and to evaluate whether the strategies used by the breeding programs of the Southern Brazilian Common-Bean Network resulted in an increase in mineral concentration in the grains. Sixteen experiments were conducted between the years 2014 and 2022 to assess 53 common bean lines obtained by seven public breeding programs in Brazil. Genetic gain for the concentration of seven minerals was determined by the generalized least squares method adapted for biennia. A significant genotype effect was observed for the concentration of most of the minerals evaluated in the different experiments. High positive correlations (r ≥ 0.70) were obtained between potassium – phosphorus and calcium – iron. Positive genetic gains were observed for the concentrations of potassium (0.59% per year), calcium (5.39% per year), and magnesium (3.39% per year), i.e. the concentrations of these macrominerals increased. Conversely, negative genetic gains were found for the concentration of phosphorus (−1.39% per year), zinc (−0.95% per year), copper (−0.51% per year), and iron (−0.22% per year). The strategies used by the breeding programs of the Southern Brazilian Common-Bean Network allow increasing the concentrations of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. However, in aiming at food and nutritional security for the next generations, changes must be implemented in the development process of new common bean cultivars regarding the other minerals.

Maternal mineral nutrition during the critical phases of fetal development may leave lifetime impacts on the productivity of an individual. Most research within the developmental origins of the health and disease (DOHaD) field is focused on the role of macronutrients in the genome function and programming of the developing fetus. On the other hand, there is a paucity of knowledge about the role of micronutrients and, specifically, minerals in regulating the epigenome of livestock species, especially cattle. Therefore, this review will address the effects of the maternal dietary mineral supply on the fetal developmental programming from the embryonic to the postnatal phases in cattle. To this end, we will draw a parallel between findings from our cattle model research with data from model animals, cell lines, and other livestock species. The coordinated role and function of different mineral elements in feto-maternal genomic regulation underlies the establishment of pregnancy and organogenesis and, ultimately, affects the development and functioning of metabolically important tissues, such as the fetal liver, skeletal muscle, and, importantly, the placenta. Through this review, we will delineate the key regulatory pathways involved in fetal programming based on the dietary maternal mineral supply and its crosstalk with epigenomic regulation in cattle.

The current work is aimed to assess the impact of macronutrient and mineral contents in food products of packaged food, restaurant food, and street food in Hyderabad. The estimated daily intake of macronutrients and minerals, followed by the toxic risk assessment of microminerals by consuming studied food dishes, was also conducted. The collected products were freeze-dried and standard procedures for measuring macronutrients were followed. At the same time, the acid digestion method was used to prepare the solution for detecting minerals by atomic absorption spectrometry. The resulting data indicated that all the food dishes supplied 134–454 kcals/100 g. The chicken/meat and pulse food dishes of all three categories were enriched with protein except bhindi masala. All the food dishes have a massive variation in fat contents and differ based on the used quantity of hydrogenated oil during their preparations. A significant difference in the macro- and microminerals in studied food products was observed. However, all food dishes are a good supplementary source of fundamental nutrients, supplying the recommended daily allowances for adults. The estimated hazardous index ( I h ) of microminerals in some street and restaurant food products (based on a survey) showed possible toxicity risk, especially for the workers of automechanic workshops ( I h  > 1.00). Thus, it is concluded that the contaminated (cheap) raw materials and unhygienic conditions for preparing street and restaurant foods and hawking places (atmospheric pollution) are the significant sources of micromineral contamination. Graphical abstract

Seaweeds (macroalgae) are increasingly recognized as potential nutrient‐dense components of human diets and promising contributors to sustainable food systems. The unique nutritional profile, along with a rich content of soluble fiber and bioactives, has led to growing interest in the potential of seaweeds in addressing micronutrient insufficiencies, particularly in plant‐based diets where traditional sources of certain micronutrients are limited. This study aimed to evaluate selected Scottish seaweed species by quantifying key micronutrients and estimating their potential contribution to dietary intakes while also determining heavy metal and iodine concentrations to assess consumer exposure risk. In addition, the study investigated practical mitigation strategies to reduce iodine and heavy metal levels, with the objective of delivering nutritionally valuable seaweed products that are both safe and aligned with dietary guidelines. Eleven wild seaweed species obtained from the north coast of Scotland together with two farmed seaweed species from the west coast were analyzed for mineral and heavy metal content using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), and vitamin B12 content by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Seaweed iodine and heavy metal content were used to assess potential health risks. Additionally, some seaweed species were subjected to a blanching process in water heated at different temperatures to assess the effects on reducing seaweed iodine and heavy metal content. All wild and farmed Scottish seaweeds contained detectable levels of vitamin B12, with the highest content observed in Fucus species, with F. serratus showing a mean value of 148.0 ± 42.5 μg/kg dry weight. This was estimated to potentially provide 49% of the RNI for vitamin B12 in a 5 g portion. Among the minerals analyzed, a 5 g portion of seaweed was estimated to provide notable amounts of the RNI for potassium (up to 18%), magnesium and calcium (around 10%), and iron (up to 83%), but these were dependent on seaweed species or whether farmed or not. Most seaweeds, however, contained high iodine levels that were estimated to pose a risk to health. Blanching of A. esculenta, S. latissima, and F. serratus for 5 min at 80°C showed that seaweed iodine content could be reduced by around up to 90% in all three species, while in the latter two species it additionally reduced levels of arsenic by 39% and 52%, respectively. Scottish seaweeds show strong potential as sustainable sources of essential micronutrients, particularly for populations who do not consume animal products, such as vegetarians. However, the bioavailability of vitamin B12 was not assessed in this study and should be examined in future work. In addition, heavy metal concentrations must remain within safe limits to minimize potential health risks. Therefore, future studies should focus on optimizing harvesting and processing methods to ensure health risks are minimized while the nutritional benefits are optimized. A schematic outline of the study showing where seaweeds were harvested, how they were analyzed and then evaluated for micronutrients.

IntroductionThe level of essential minerals in meat is an important factor in human nutrition and health. Meat from responsibly managed wildlife is an alternative raw material with considerable nutritional benefits. Meat from hunted animals has essential and non-essential elements for the human body. It is important to carefully monitor the levels of heavy metals accumulated in the tissues of hunted animals in polluted areas to ensure food safety and environmental contamination. High levels of heavy metals in food and the environment can pose a danger to human health.MethodsThe study aims to investigate the levels of essential mineral elements and heavy metals in the muscle tissue and organs of wild boar harvested through the herd density control plan over the last decade in north-eastern Romania.Results and discussionThe statistical analysis indicates that the age of the animals had a significant impact on Fe, Cu, and Zn levels in Longissimus lumborum. In the kidney a highly significant difference in Fe content by sex, with males showing higher values than females. The sex was shown to significantly influence the Mg levels. However, there are concerns about the accumulation of heavy metals such as Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd), which may hurt the health of game meat consumers in the study area. Cd level it shows significant differences according to both age and sex, with higher concentrations in adults and males. Statistical analysis shows a negative correlation between Fe and Zn concentrations in muscle samples, while a positive correlation was found between Fe and Mn in kidney samples. There was also a positive association between Zn and Cu in muscle samples, but a negative association in kidney samples. Principal component analysis shows significant variation in essential element and heavy metals data between muscle and kidney samples. The loading plot shows a direct correlation between Pb and Cu and between Pb and Cd. However, an opposite correlation also is observed between Cu and Mg, Cd and Mg, and Pb and Mg. HQ (Hazard Quotient) for children compared to adults indicates a potentially higher risk associated with meat consumption among children because children are more vulnerable than adults. We report for the first time, to the best authors’ knowledge, various levels of essential minerals and exceeded maximum admitted level of heavy metals in the muscle tissues and kidneys of Sus scrofa ferus from Romania intended for human consumption, moreover, our findings highlight the need for strict monitoring and implementation of appropriate corrective measures, given the significant percentages of muscle and kidney samples exceeding the allowable limits for two of the most common toxic metals in the environment.

A comparative elemental analysis of espresso coffee from Poland and Portugal was carried out. Using an ICP-MS analytical procedure, samples collected from public cafes in Poland and Portugal (n = 60 and n = 44, respectively) were studied for their macromineral and trace element content. To evaluate the contribution of water to the final composition of the beverage, paired samples (i.e., collected from the same locations) of drinking water were also analysed. The mineral profile of the coffee espresso samples was quite similar: Mg > P > Ca > Rb > Mn > B > Zn > Cu > Sr > Ba > Ni > Pb > Cs > Mo > Sn > Cd > Sb > Tl for samples from Poland and Mg > P > Ca > Rb > B > Mn > Zn > Sr > Cu > Ni > Ba > Cs > Pb > Mo > Sn > Sb > Cd > Tl for samples from Portugal. For most of the elements, the espresso samples showed much higher levels than the water used in its preparation. The two most notable exceptions were Ca and Sr, where the elements present in the coffee came mainly from the water. The contribution of coffee espressos to the daily intake of essential elements seems to be reduced. Other non-essential elements like Ni (median = 81.0 µg/L and 86.8 µg/L for Polish and Portuguese espresso, respectively) and Pb (median = 14.3 µg/L and 4.43 µg/L, respectively) were observed in significant amounts in the coffee espresso samples analysed in this study. These elements have been shown to leach from coffee machines in other studies. More studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Thirty conventional and twenty-four organic dairy farms were divided into equal numbers within system groups: high-pasture, standard-pasture, and low-pasture groups. Milk samples were collected monthly for 12 consecutive months. Milk from high-pasture organic farms contained less fat and protein than standard- and low-pasture organic farms, but more lactose than low-pasture organic farms. Grazing, concentrate feed intake and the contribution of non-Holstein breeds were the key drivers for these changes. Milk Ca and P concentrations were lower in standard-pasture conventional farms than the other conventional groups. Milk from low-pasture organic farms contained less Ca than high- and standard-pasture organic farms, while high-pasture organic farms produced milk with the highest Sn concentration. Differences in mineral concentrations were driven by the contribution of non-Holstein breeds, feeding practices, and grazing activity; but due to their relatively low numerical differences between groups, the subsequent impact on consumers’ dietary mineral intakes would be minor.

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is an important root vegetable crop and a valuable food source of micronutrients and bioactive constituents. In this study, the bioaccessibility of minerals, organic acids, and betacyanins in beetroot powder during simulated gastrointestinal digestion was investigated, as well as the antioxidant activity of the final fractions of each phase of the process. Mineral elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), organic acids by ultra-fast liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UFLC-PDA), and betacyanins by liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn). The oxidative hemolysis inhibition assay was used to assess the ex vivo antioxidant activity. The bioaccessibility of minerals at the end of gastrointestinal digestion ranged from 43 to 65%, depending on the mineral element. Among these, Mg was the most bioaccessible, while Ca and Fe had the lowest bioaccessibility. For organic acids, a major release during digestion was observed for quinic acid. It was also found that betanin (the major betalain in beetroot) was highly unstable during the digestion process, probably due to its hydrophilic nature, which agreed with the significant (p < 0.05) decrease in antioxidant/antihemolytic activity. These results suggest that beetroot antioxidant compounds are unstable under gastrointestinal conditions, and could be useful for future development of novel and more stable beetroot food formulations.

This study focuses on the extraction of nutritional and healthy constituents of whole by-products resulting from the commercialisation of Patagonian squid (Doriteuthis gahi). By-products corresponding to squid individuals captured at different seasons were comparatively analysed for proximate composition, lipid classes content, fatty acid (FA) profile, and macroelement and trace element composition. As a result, moisture, lipid, protein, and ash values were included in the ranges 829.0–842.8, 17.5–21.8, 106.0–123.7, and 9.3–13.3 g·kg−1 by-products, respectively. Phospholipids showed to be the most abundant lipid class (359.2–463.5 g·kg−1 lipids), while triacylglycerols were only present in a 9.5–13.1 g·kg−1 lipids range. Valuable levels were detected for α-tocopherol (539.6–973.3 mg·kg−1 lipids), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; 50.5–52.6 g·100 g−1 FA), ω3 PUFA (47.0–48.6 g·100 g−1 FA), PUFA/saturated FA ratio (1.4–1.6), and ω3/ω6 ratio (12.1–13.4). Among macroelements, S, P, and Na showed to be more abundant than K, Mg, and Ca. Profitable levels of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn were detected in all kinds of individuals. In spite of content variations found as a result of the capture season of Patagonian squid individuals, whole by-products of this cephalopod species can be considered as a profitable source to provide the food and pharmaceutical industries with useful value-added constituents.