Alexandre C. Bertoli

Lycopersicon esculentum submitted to Cd-stressful conditions in nutrition solution: Nutrient contents and translocation.

The increasing number of cases on soil contamination by heavy metals has affected crop yields, besides representing an imminent risk to food. Some of these contaminants, such as cadmium, are very similar to micronutrients and thus more easily absorbed by the plants. This study assessed the effect of increasing amounts of cadmium on the content and translocation of micro and macronutrients in tomato. Tomatoes were grown in Clarks nutrient solution and subjected to increasing levels of Cd: 0, 0.025, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0mg L(-1). The plants contaminated by cadmium had a maximum reduction in the aerial part compared to the control of: 2.25g kg(-1), 2.80g kg(-1), 18.93mg kg(-1) and 14.15mg kg(-1) for K, Ca, Mn and Zn, respectively. In other parts of the tomato were reduced from 2.3g kg(-1) K in fruits and 280.5mg kg(-1) of Mn in the roots. In addition to changes in the levels of some nutrients, the restricted Cd translocation in 1.15 percent P and 2.8 percent Cu to shoots compared to control, but did not affect the translocation of K, Ca, Mg and Zn.

Theoretical spectroscopic studies and identification of metal-citrate (Cd and Pb) complexes by ESI-MS in aqueous solution

The combined use of ESI-MS, FTIR-ATR and theoretical calculations for the determination of metal-citrate (metal=Cd and Pb) structures are reported. Mass spectrometry allowed to determine the stoichiometry 1:1 and 2:1 of the complexes, corroborating the theoretical calculations. The species found in the ratio 2:1 had their molecular structures readjusted, since the deprotonation of citric acid differed from what was simulated. The calculations of thermodynamic stability (ΔH(0)(aq.)) for the complexes obtained by B3LYP/LANL2DZ were more exoenergetic than those found by PM6. However, for both methods, the stability of the complexes follows a trend, that is, the lowest-energy isomers in PM6 are also the most stable in B3LYP/LANL2DZ. The infrared analysis suggested that carboxyl groups are complexation sites and hydrogen bonds can help in the stability of the complexes. The vibrational frequencies in B3LYP/LANL2DZ had a good correlation with the experimental infrared results.

Structural determination of Cu and Fe-Citrate complexes: theoretical investigation and analysis by ESI-MS

The combined use of ESI-MS (electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry) and theoretical calculations for the determination of citrate:metal (metal=Cu and Fe) structures are reported. Mass spectrometry allowed to determine the stoichiometry 1:1 and 2:1 of the complexes, corroborating the theoretical calculations. The species found in the ratio 2:1 had their calculated structures readjusted, from what was originally simulated, since the deprotonation of citric acid differed from what was before simulated. The thermodynamic stability (ΔH(aq.)(0)) of the complexes optimized at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level was more exoenergetic than for the complexes found by the PM6 semi-empirical method.

Effects of Lead on the Content, Accumulation, and Translocation of Nutrients in Bean Plant Cultivated in Nutritive Solution

Increasing contents of lead (Pb; from 0 to 10 mg L−1) as contaminant were added in Clarks nutritive solution to evaluate the effects on content, accumulation, and translocation of macronutrients [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S)] and micronutrients [copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe)] in different parts of the bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Experiments were built using an entirely randomized statistical arrangement and measurements were performed after 60 days of exposure to Pb. The contents of almost all nutrients decreased when Pb was added, except for P in root, Mg in fruits, and S in root and fruits. Reduction in accumulation of all nutrients in the three parts of plants was determined, and an increase in the translocation index was observed for the following nutrients: Mg and Zn in fruits and S in fruits and leaves. For the remaining nutrients, the translocation index diminished.

Effects of Cadmium and Lead on Plant Growth and Content of Heavy Metals in Arugula Cultivated in Nutritive Solution

A greenhouse assay using an arugula (Eruca sativa L.) hydroponics system was carried out to evaluate the following effects of increasing amounts of cadmium and lead in nutritive solution: (a) production; (b) translocation of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) throughout the plants; (c) possible interactions of Cd and Pb with other mineral elements, transition metals, essential to plants; (d) tolerance limits to Cd and Pb with regard to production; and (e) chelating interaction of Cd and Pb with root substances. The absorption of Cd and Pb increased with increasing dosages in solution. Roots accumulated larger amounts of metals than shoots. Plants develop better with less than 0.025 mg L−1 of Cd, with a damaging Cd concentration of 1 mg L−1. The tolerable Pb concentration was up to 10 mg L−1. Cadmium and Pb translocate poorly in plants and their deleterious effect is due to the deposit of very stable chelates in roots.

Interactions fulvate-metal (Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺): theoretical investigation of thermodynamic, structural and spectroscopic properties.

The use of theoretical calculation to determine structural properties of fulvate-metal complex (zinc, copper and iron) is here related. The species were proposed in the ratio 1:1 and 2:1 for which the molecular structure was obtained through the semi-empirical method PM6. The calculation of thermodynamic stability (

Stress Induced by Heavy Metals Cd and Pb in Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Grown in Nutrient Solution

\Delta H_{(aq.)}^{0}

New Organomineral Complex from Humic Substances Extracted from Poultry Wastes: Synthesis, Characterization and Controlled Release Study

ΔH(aq.)0) predicted that the iron complex were more exo-energetic. Metallic ions were coordinated to the phtalate groups of the model-structure of fulvic acid Suwannee River and the calculations of vibrational frequencies suggested that hydrogen bonds may help on the stability of the complex formation.