Assimilates mineral nutrients

A slurry bioreactor with an aqueous biocatalytic solution, containing the mineral nutrients and an assimilable source of carbon. 

The level of plant mineral nutrients available to trees is known to affect fruit quality, but its relative effect is often overestimated compared to other factors such as fruit load and light (and associated assimilate supply to fruit) (see sections above) (for review see Neilsen and Neilsen, 2003). The mineral nutrition of trees and fruits is complex. Uptake of the macronutrients nitrogen... 

In addition to adsorption processes, phytoplankton can absorb (assimilate) certain nutrient metal ions (or metal ions that are by the organisms mistaken as nutrients). As with other nutrients, this uptake can occur in stoichiometric proportions. The uptake (and subsequent release upon mineralization) of nutrients in stoichiometric proportions was claimed already 1934 by Redfield. In referring to the atomic proportions C N P Si etc. one refers to the Redfield Ratios. This stoichiometry is well established (at least for the conventional nutrients) in oceanic waters it has also been postulated for lakes (Stumm and Morgan, 1970). 

Photosynthetic growth in standard autotrophic conditions is based on the assimilation, under illumination, of inorganic carbon and mineral nutrients dissolved in the medium. The cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms thus requires ... 

Loading of N03 into the xylem of roots may also require the expenditure of energy. From studies of proton release into the xylem vessels of onions, Qark-son (1985) has estimated that this process might cost from 3 to 29% of the cost of N03 uptake or, in other words, be equivalent at most to only 5% of the direct cost of N03 assimilation to NH3. Since this estimate includes the cost of loading of other mineral nutrients accompanying the N03 it is clearly an expense of relatively minor importance. 

The third major area for development is that of soft drinks containing ingredients that enable some special nutritional or physiological claim to be made for the product. This will usually be an energy claim because soft drinks are an ideal vehicle for delivering carbohydrates, some in specially formulated mixtures, in a readily and rapidly assimilable form. Of the other nutrients that can be included, fruit juice, vitamins and minerals are the most common, but some products contain significant levels of protein or even fibre (as non-metabolisable carbohydrate). 

Malabsorption is defined as an inadequate assimilation of dietary substances due to defects in digestion, absorption or transport. Malabsorption can affect macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) or both, causing excessive faecal excretion and producing nutritional deficiencies and GI symptoms. Digestion and absorption occur in three phases, namely (i) the intra-lumen hydrolysis of fats, proteins and carbohydrates by enzymes, and emulsification by bile salts, (ii) digestion by brush-border enzymes and uptake of end-products and (iii) lymphatic transport of nutrients. Malabsorption can occur when any of these phases is impaired. 

Plants can also balance their uptake of different nutrients through their production of enzymes and other compounds that help to make specific nutrients more available. Nitrate reductase is required to assimilate NO3 into plant biomass, and its production is triggered by the presence of NO3 in soil solution. Phosphorus limitation induces production of root phosphatase enzymes that cleave organically bound PO4, or side-rophores, which solubihze mineral phosphorus by chelating with other minerals that bind to PO4, such as iron. 

It is therefore proposed according to the present invention to cultivate Claviceps spec, saprophytically in nutrient substrates which-contain assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen, as well as of essential mineral salts, the cultivation being conducted at low pH values, prefer-... 

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