Vegetation elemental abundances

Isotopic distribution within an element will vary between living organisms depending on the biosynthetic pathways that lead to its formation. Furthermore, the rate at which a molecule crosses cellular membranes will depend on the molecule s isotopic distribution. Hence, detectable differences in isotopic composition can be observed in the products formed. Detection of adulterated vegetable oils, flavourings and fruit juices, as well as the study of metabolism in plants and numerous biomedical applications, use isotopic abundance as a tool. For example, the... 

The small number of elements that make up our world combine to produce matter in a seemingly limitless variety of forms. We only have to look at the vegetation, flesh, landscapes, fabrics, building materials, and other things around us to appreciate the wonderful variety of the material world. A part of chemistry is analysis the discovery of which elements have combined together to form a substance. Another aspect of chemistry is synthesis the production of new combinations of atoms, new materials, to improve on nature or to produce a greater abundance of substances that are in short supply. If the elements are the alphabet of chemistry, then the compounds are its plays, its poems, and its novels. 

A portion of fruits and vegetables should be consumed raw. Research indicates that pectin and bioflavonoids, natural parts of most fruits, lowers blood cholesterol levels more effectively than drugs. Both of these elements are found abundantly in impeded apples. There are many other positive reasons for eating some fruits and vegetables raw. 

In this chapter, the elements Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn will be covered. Before discussing the topic of hyperaccumulation, it will be appropriate to determine the normal abundances of the above elements in rocks, soils, and vegetation of the earth s crust (Table 4-1). From the table, it will be noted that except for Zn, the concentration of any element in the substrate is not exceeded in the plant material growing over it, at least as far as normal vegetation is concerned. 

Because trace metals are ubiquitous in our environment, they are found in all of the foods we eat. In general, the abundance of trace elements in foods is related to their abundance in the environment, although this relationship is not absolute, as has been indicated by Warren (1972b). Table 5-9 presents the order of abundance of some trace elements in soil, sea water, vegetables, and humans and the order of our intake. Trace elements may be present in foods as a result of uptake from soil or feeds or from contamination during and subsequent to processing... 

The total amount of mineral components in fruits and vegetables is in the range of 0.1% (in sweet potatoes) up to about 4.4% (in kohlrabi). The most abundant mineral constituent in fruits and vegetables is potassium (Table 2.4). Generally vegetables are a better source of minerals than fruits. The mineral elements influence not only the growth and crop of fruits and vegetables, but also their texture (Ca), color (Fe), and metabolic processes (microelements). 

Occurrence.—Oxygen is the most abundant of the elements. It exists free in atmospheric air in combination in a great number-of substances, mineral, vegetable, and animal. 

Is of all elements the most abundant forms 89 p. c. by weight of all the water, and 23 p. c. of the atmospheric air of our globe exists in all rocks, except rock salt and is an essential element in aU animal or vegetable bodies. It constitutes at least i of the weight of our earth. 

This element occurs abundantly in the bones of animals, in combination with oxygen and metals, as phosphate of lime, phosphate of magnesia, ( . It is also an ingredient in some unknown form of combination, of vegetable and animal fibrine and albumen, and is constantly present in the urine and excrements. In the mineral kingdom it occurs as phosphate of lime (apatite), phosphate of alumina (wavellite), phosphates of lead, copper, c. 

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