Zinc Biofortification Improves Yield, Nutraceutical Quality and Antioxidant Capacity in Lettuce

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Zinc (Zn) is an important element in human health and is consumed through foods of animal origin. However, the biofortification of plants with Zn can be a strategy for the consumption of this micronutrient and to increase the morphology, physiology, and plant yield. <strong>Objective:</strong> Quantify the effect of Zn application on yield, nutraceutical quality and antioxidant activity of lettuce. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Foliar application of ZnSO<sub>4 </sub>(0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM L<sup>-1</sup>) on lettuce plants was made. Yield, nutraceutical quality and the concentration of Zn in the plant tissue was determinate. <strong>Results:</strong> The optimum Zn dose that maximized yield and nutraceutical quality, as well as the recommended consumption concentration in lettuce in this study was 75 µM L<sup>-1</sup> (ZnSO<sub>4</sub>). <strong>Implications: </strong>Higher doses of Zn decreased bioactive compound biosynthesis. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Zn biofortification is an alternative to increase phytochemical compound biosynthesis and yield with the possibility of improving public health.</p>

Zinc biofortification through seed nutri-priming using alternative zinc sources and concentration levels in pea and sunflower microgreens

“…Alternatively, the higher availability of Zn favored the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds considering that Zn is a cofactor required for various metabolic pathways that lead to the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds (Castillo-Gonzaĺez et al, 2018). These results were consistent with the findings of Lingyun et al (2016); Barrameda-Medina et al (2017), andPreciado-Rangel et al (2021) who, while working on pea sprouts, cabbage, and lettuce, respectively, observed an increase in total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity when the amount of Zn in plant increased.…”

“…Di Gioia et al (2019), Preciado-Rangel et al (2021), andSahin (2021) have also reported a decrease in Fe content with increasing Zn accumulation in Brassica microgreens and lettuce. Similarly, the antagonistic effect of Zn accumulation on Mn and Cu content was reported by Preciado-Rangel et al (2021) and Sahin (2021) in lettuce. As Fe and Zn are the major deficient minerals for human health (Zalewska and Nogalska, 2014), the decrease of Fe content observed with increasing Zn accumulation is not ideal for human nutrition and the selection of the optimal Zn treatment should consider the tradeoff between Zn accumulation and Fe decrease.…”

“…The observed antagonistic effect of Zn accumulation on other divalent cations like Fe, Mn, and Cu is generally expected as they share the same groups of transporters, including the ZIP (ZRT IRTlike protein), NRAMP (Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein), and yellow stripe-like (YSL) families for mineral absorption at the root level and translocation within plants (Eide et al, 1996;Kaur and Garg, 2021). Di Gioia et al (2019), Preciado-Rangel et al (2021), andSahin (2021) have also reported a decrease in Fe content with increasing Zn accumulation in Brassica microgreens and lettuce. Similarly, the antagonistic effect of Zn accumulation on Mn and Cu content was reported by Preciado-Rangel et al (2021) and Sahin (2021) in lettuce.…”

Commercial and phytochemical quality in biofortified ‘Orejona’ lettuce with zinc oxide nanoparticles

“…NPsZnO have been investigated for their antifungal, antibacterial, and nutritional (microelement) properties (Rossi et al, 2019) and alleviate the bioavailability of heavy metals (Sharifan et al, 2019(Sharifan et al, , 2021. Lettuce is a suitable example for effectively increasing the Zn content and improving commercial quality and nutraceutical properties in this way (Preciado-Rangel et al, 2021).…”

Incorporación de paja al suelo, inoculación con zinc a la semilla y fertilización con nitrógeno en trigo cultivado bajo condiciones de suelo salino

“…Al respecto una de las enzimas que tiene un rol importante en la construcción del tejido meristemático de la raíz es el alcohol deshidrogenasa (Gokhan, Ozturk, Cakmak, Welech y Kochian, 2004). Por otro lado, los cultivos que han sido apropiadamente nutridos con zinc pueden incrementar la concentración de este microelemento en hojas (Preciado-Rangel et al, 2021) o granos en comestibles de la planta de importancia nutricional para el humano (Cakmak, 2002).…”