What is Mineral Nutrition?
Mineral Nutrition is known as a naturally occurring inorganic nutrient. It can be found in the soil and food and it is vital for the able functioning of animal and plant bodies. Minerals are the vital elements which allow a body to grow and to survive. Minerals are essentially needed by both plants and animals. For example zinc is needed for cell division and for the production of protein.
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Role of Nutrients
Following are listed some important roles that nutrients play:-
Balancing Function: Some salts or minerals act against the harmful effects of the other nutrients hence balance the effect of each other.
Maintenance of Osmotic Pressure: In few minerals the cell sap is present in organic or inorganic form, to control the organic pressure of the cell.
Influencing The pH of The Cell Sap: Different anions and cations have different influences on the pH of the cell sap.
Construction of The Plant Body: Some of the elements which help to construct the plant body are Carbon, Nitrogen and Oxygen. They help by entering the protoplasm and constitution of the wall.
Catalysis of The Biochemical Reaction: Zinc, magnesium, calcium, and copper act as metallic catalysts in biochemical reactions.
Effects of Toxicity: Under specific conditions, minerals like arsenic and copper have a toxic effect on the protoplasm.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are the nutrients required by plants in very small proportions. Some of them are Boron, iron, chlorine, and molybdenum are some of the examples of micronutrients.
Importance of Micronutrients
Following are listed some important functions of micronutrients in particular:-
Copper
It is responsible for activating the enzymes as a component of oxidase, cytochrome oxidase, phenolases, and ascorbic acid oxidase.
It as well plays a vital role in photophosphorylation.
Copper helps to balance carbohydrate-nitrogen regulation.
Manganese
It is required in photosynthesis.
Manganese is needed in the synthesis of chlorophyll.
It also acts as an activator of nitrogen metabolism.
Zinc
It is essentially required for the synthesis of tryptophan, metabolism of carbohydrates,
and phosphorus.
Zinc is a constituent of enzymes like alcohol dehydrate-gas, carbonic anhydrase, lactic dehydrogenase, hexokinase, and carboxypeptidase.
Macronutrients
Macronutrients are the nutrients required by plants in larger proportions. These may include sulfur, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Importance of Macronutrients
Following are some of the vital functions performed by macronutrients in particular:-
Phosphorous
Phosphorus helps to boost the process of fruit ripening and root growth in a healthy manner by helping the translocation of carbohydrates.
Phosphorus is found abundantly in fruits and seeds.
Premature fall of leaves and colour turning to purplish or dark green is due to deficiency of phosphorus.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is present in various coenzymes, hormones, and ATP, etc.
It is a vital constituent of vitamins, nucleic acids, proteins, and many others.
The complete suppression of flowering and fruiting, impaired growth, and development of anthocyanin pigmentation in stems is due to deficiency of nitrogen.
Potassium
Potassium is the only monovalent cation that is necessary for plants which acts as an enzyme activator including DNA polymerase. The deficiency of potassium leads to Mottled chlorosis.
Following are the important difference between macronutrients and micronutrients:-
Difference between Micronutrients and Macronutrients
Did you know?!
Milk is 87% water. The nutrients, like protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals are all found in the other 13%.
FAQs on Mineral Nutrition
1. Why are vitamins and minerals important in our everyday Food?
Vitamins and minerals are one of the most important components of our food, they help keep our body healthy, functional, and as well protect us from a variety of diseases, they hold the same importance as air and water for living. Vitamins can be defined as the organic substance that is produced by plants or animals. Whereas minerals are the inorganic elements that originate from rocks, soil or water.
2. What vitamins and minerals are needed Daily?
Following listed are vitamins and their food source:-
Water-soluble vitamins:
B-1: ham, soymilk, watermelon, oats, oranges, pork, peas.
B-2: low-fat milk, yoghurt, cheese, grains, organ meats, cereals.
B-3: meat, fish, fortified and whole grains, mushrooms, potatoes.
B-5: chicken, whole grains, broccoli, mushrooms.
B-6: meat, fish, poultry, tofu, bananas.
B-7: Whole grains, eggs, soybeans, fish.
B-9: Fortified grains and cereals, spinach, broccoli, orange juice.
B-12: Meat, fish, milk, cheese, tofu, cereals
Vitamin C: Potatoes, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes.
Fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin A: beef, eggs, fish, carrots, spinach, mangoes.
Vitamin D: Fortified milk and cereals, fatty fish.
Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, grains, broccoli, and green vegetables
Vitamin K: Cabbage, eggs, milk, spinach, broccoli, Kale.
Mineral sources
Following are some minerals and their sources:-
Major:
Calcium: yoghurt, cheese, milk, leafy green vegetables.
Chloride: salt.
Magnesium: Spinach, broccoli, seeds, whole-wheat bread.
Potassium: meat, milk, fruits, vegetables, grains.
Sodium: salt, soy sauce, vegetables.
Chromium: meat, poultry, fish, cheese.
Copper: seeds, whole-grain products, beans, prunes.
Iodine: Iodized salt, seafood.
Iron: Poultry, red meat, eggs, fruits, fortified bread.
Manganese: nuts, whole grains.
Selenium: Organ meat, seafood, walnuts.
Zinc: meat, shellfish, legumes, whole grains.
