Dataset Information

Vitamin Bullets. Microencapsulated Feeds to Fortify Shellfish and Tackle Human Nutrient Deficiencies.

ABSTRACT: Over two billion people worldwide are micronutrient deficient, with regionally specific deficiencies. Fortification of food with micronutrients has become an industry standard for enhancing public health. Bivalve shellfish (e.g., oysters, clams, and mussels) provide the most sustainable source of animal protein on the planet, and the market is rapidly growing-with production in China increasing 1,000-fold since 1980 to an annual 36 kg capita-1 consumption level. Bivalves are also unique in that micronutrients consumed at their end-life stage will be digested by humans, as humans consume the entire organism including the gut. We have developed a novel microencapsulated vehicle for delivering micronutrients to bivalves, tailored for optimal size, shape, buoyancy, and palatability, demonstrating the potential of fortified bivalves to tackle human nutrient deficiencies. Oysters fed vitamin A and D microcapsules at a 3% initial dosage for just 8 h had elevated tissue vitamin content. A serving of just two such bivalves provides enough vitamin A and D to meet human dietary RDAs. Scale-up of this technology and application to other bivalve species including clams and mussels could provide a low-cost and highly sustainable mechanism to contribute toward tackling nutrient deficiencies globally.

SUBMITTER: Willer DF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7379847 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Vitamin Bullets. Microencapsulated Feeds to Fortify Shellfish and Tackle Human Nutrient Deficiencies.

Willer David F DF Aldridge David C DC

Frontiers in nutrition 20200720

Over two billion people worldwide are micronutrient deficient, with regionally specific deficiencies. Fortification of food with micronutrients has become an industry standard for enhancing public health. Bivalve shellfish (e.g., oysters, clams, and mussels) provide the most sustainable source of animal protein on the planet, and the market is rapidly growing-with production in China increasing 1,000-fold since 1980 to an annual 36 kg capita<sup>-1</sup> consumption level. Bivalves are also uniq ...[more]

PMID: 32766272

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Project description:It is common in hydroponics to supply nutrients to crops by maintaining electrical conductivity (EC) of the recycling solution at a target level. Levels of individual nutrients in the solution are generally not assessed as their regular measurement and adjustment can be both expensive and technically challenging. However, the approach of growing crops at a target EC can potentially result in nutrient imbalances in the solution and reduced growth. We quantified the effects of recycling on solution EC changes, tissue nutrient concentration, canopy growth rate, plant water status, and shoot and root weight of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a greenhouse. The tap water quality was moderately alkaline and similar to that commonly observed in many commercial greenhouses. In our research, recycling solution maintained at a target EC (1.8 dS⋅m-1) significantly reduced shoot fresh (22-36%) and dry weight compared to the control supplied regularly with freshly prepared solution at the target EC. Further, recycling significantly decreased N, P, K, and Fe and increased Na and Cu levels in the tissue, in addition to increasing solution EC between adjustments compared to the control. Using image analysis of groups of plants, we identified that the negative effects of recycling on canopy area started 2 weeks after transplanting. Based on these results, we hypothesized that certain unwanted compounds (e.g., bicarbonates) and slowly consumed elements (e.g., Ca, Mg) were added to the recycling solution through the alkaline tap water with time. Their accumulation "artificially" increased solution EC and "masked" the lower than optimal levels of major nutrients in the solution, leading to the reductions in the concentration of nutrients in the tissue and plant growth. Supporting this, the negative effects of recycling were not observed when the recycling solution was either discarded after 2 weeks of use or made using reverse osmosis water and continuously used. Our findings aid in proper management of recycling solution in hydroponic lettuce production.

Project description:Introduction and importanceVulvar penetrating trauma is a rather uncommon occurrence (1). Firearm injuries caused by low-velocity gravitational bullets are a common cause of injuries in war-torn countries such as Somalia [2] (Campbell and Wilbert, 2022). These types of injuries are inflicted on by-standers by wayward bullets. No standard consensus on the appropriate management of vulvar penetrating trauma has been established (3). Here in, we report the successful management of an impacted bullet in the clitoris by a simple incision under local anesthesia. The principles of vulva and clitoris tired bullet trauma management are discussed. In our case, we thought it to be rare and interesting, considering its occurrence.Case presentationIn this report, a 24-year-old woman (gravida 2, para 2) suffered from a vulvar area penetrating bullet injury. Imaging revealed that the foreign body was confined to the clitoris, and no evidence of other parts of the body. Under local anesthesia, the bullet was accessed and removed from the clitoris by performing a minor incision. No complications were observed following the surgical removal of the bullet.Clinical discussionNon-obstetric vulva trauma is an extremely rare occurrence. Typically, the cause of non-obstetric vulvar trauma includes sports-related injuries, straddle injuries, and midline splitting injuries. To the best of our knowledge, this case is unique due to the bullet being retained in the clitoris. The treatment of the foreign body is mostly surgical removal. Under local anesthesia, this patient underwent complete surgical removal of the metallic foreign body. During surgical excision, care should be taken not to damage the urethra and other pelvic issues.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first wayward bullet (not intended for the patient) injury penetrating the vulvar area with a retained bullet in the clitoris. In our case, we thought it to be rare and interesting, considering its occurrence.

Dataset Information

Vitamin Bullets. Microencapsulated Feeds to Fortify Shellfish and Tackle Human Nutrient Deficiencies.

Publications

Vitamin Bullets. Microencapsulated Feeds to Fortify Shellfish and Tackle Human Nutrient Deficiencies.

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