The enormity of the zinc deficiency problem and available solutions; an overview

The societal cost of micronutrient deficiency (MND) or the “hidden hunger” is in millions of dollars/year, reducing the GDP of some countries by as much as 11%. Zn is an important micronutrient for both plants and animals. An estimated 17% of the world population, or around 1.1 billion people, are at the risk of zinc (Zn) deficiency. The deficiency has been related to adverse pregnancy outcomes, stunted growth, premature deaths, immune system dysfunctions, neuro-behavioral disorders, and recently with the failure to recover from COVID-19. These health risks associated with Zn deficiency have compelled FAO and WHO to recommend Zn fortification of diet. Correcting Zn deficiency is a challenge due to several reasons. Close to half of the agricultural soils are Zn deficient, and chemical Zn fertilizers are costly and ineffective. Developing Zn-rich crops through plant breeding and genetic engineering is challenging. Zn-dense diet is costly and cannot be implemented in the low-income region most affected by Zn deficiency. Lack of consensus among regulatory bodies on defining and diagnosing Zn deficiency in plants and Humans. Awareness and other sociocultural issues. Among the most important available solutions are zinc biofortification of the cereal crops, use of zinc biofertilizers, development of Zn-efficient crops with reduced phytate content. The use of Zn supplements, dietary modification, and diversification, especially with fish, are proposed as the most accessible and affordable solutions. Awareness programs in areas suffering the most from Zn deficiency are required. Despite the suggestions from FAO and WHO, global efforts to combat Zn deficiency matching those for combating diseases like HIV are not in place. Coordinated efforts of the international community, especially policy-makers, agricultural scientists, dieticians, physicians, and others, are required to address the issue of hidden hunger.     

An Acid‐Catalyzed Fragmentation Reaction of a Triamine‐Linked Acridine Dimer

An acid‐catalyzed cleavage of the C‐N^? bond from N^?‐(2,3,4,5‐tetrahydroxyvaleryl) substituted side chain and/or its acetonide form of a triamine‐linked acridine dimer is de scribed. An envisaged multi‐neighboring group‐assisted solvolysis reaction mechanism is proposed.     

Triamine‐bonded stationary phase for open tubular capillary electrochromatography

A multi‐functional separation column modified with 3‐[2‐(2‐aminoethylamino)ethylamino] propyl‐trimethoxysilane was developed for open tubular capillary electrochromatography. This functional hydrophilic triamine‐bonded open tubular column could generate both anodic and cathodic EOF. When the pH of the running buffer was below 5.3 (30% 3‐[2‐(2‐aminoethylamino)ethylamino] propyl‐trimethoxysilane, v/v), the anodic EOF was exhibited, which greatly prevented the undesired adsorptions of basic proteins on the capillary inner wall. Favorable separation of four basic proteins (viz. trypsin, ribonuclease A, lysozyme and cytochrome c) was successfully achieved at pH 3.5 of 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer. The column efficiencies of proteins were in the range from 87 000 to 110 000 plates/m, and the RSD values for migration time of four proteins were less than 1.2% (run‐to‐run, n=5). The ionic analytes were also separated efficiently in the co‐electroosmotic mode. The average efficiencies ranged from 81 000 to 190 000 plates/m for seven aromatic acids and 186 000–245 000 plates/m for four nucleoside monophosphates, respectively, and good capillary column repeatability was gained with RSD of the migration time not more than 3.0%. The triamine‐bonded open tubular capillary column is favorable to be an alternative functional medium for the further analysis of basic proteins and anionic analytes.     

On-column interactions in the direct GLC assay of hexetidine

Summary Gas chromatography was used for the direct assay of hexetidine and triamine in a pharmaceutical formulation. During this work we came across a strong oncolumn interaction, in such a way that the GLC retention, selectivity and response parameters were seriously modified relative to the injections of hexetidine and triamine standard solutions. The interaction was traced to the coinjected hydrochloride form of a major component of the sample and in practical terms points to the potential quantitation errors that may be associated to similar systems.     

Hetero-metallic frameworks of [Pd(CN)4] and Cu(II) with triamines: A rare example of a tetracyanometallate bridged 2D coordination polymer

Four cyano bridged Cu(II)–Pd(II) heterometallic complexes, [Cu(dpt)Pd(CN)₄]_n (1), {[Cu₂(medpt)₂Pd(CN)₄](ClO₄)₂ · 3H₂O}_n (2), {[Cu₂(dien)₂Pd(CN)₄](ClO₄)₂ · 2CH₃OH}_n (3) and {[Cu₂(iPrdien)₂Pd(CN)₄](ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O}_n (4) [dpt = 3,3′-iminobispropylamine; medpt = 3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine; dien = diethylenetriamine and iprdien = N′-isopropyldiethylenetriamine] have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, magnetic measurement and thermal study. Complexes 1, 2 and 3 are 1D coordination polymers, while 4 presents a 2D network. In 1, the cis-directed cyanide ligands of [Pd(CN)₄]²⁻ anions link two Cu(dpt) units to form a neutral coordination polymer, whereas in 2, 3 and 4, all the cyanide groups of [Pd(CN)₄]²⁻ take part in bonding with four adjacent Cu(II) ions, resulting in cationic coordination polymers counterbalanced by perchlorate anions. The structures are compared with those of analogous [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ derivatives. The magnetic behavior shows antiferromagnetic interactions in all the complexes.     

Polysiloxane-Immobilized Triamine Ligand System,Synthesis and Applications

The polysiloxane-immobilized triamine ligand system of the formula P-(CH 2 ) 3 NH(CH 2 ) 2 NH(CH 2 ) 2 NH 2 (where P represents the siloxane network) has been prepared via the sol-gel process by hydrolytic polycondensation of (EtO) 4 Si and (MeO) 3 Si(CH 2 ) 3 NH(CH 2 ) 2 NH(CH 2 ) 2 NH 2 . An alternative method was used by the reaction of the iodopolysiloxane P-(CH 2 ) 3 -I and diethylenetriamine in the presence of triethylamine. The immobilized triamine ligand forms metal chelate complexes when treated with aqueous metal(II) ion solutions (Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Cu 2+ ). The elemental analysis and FTIR results suggest that this ligand system undergoes a substantial leaching of diethylenetriamine ligand moieties from the siloxane framework.