This study evaluated the effects of TMC (trace mineral-fortified microbial culture) supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality parameters of Hanwoo steers during the last 4 months of finishing period. The TMC was a combination of 0.4% trace minerals, 20.0% Na-bentonite, and 79.6% feedstuffs, which was inoculated with a mixed microbial culture (Enterobacter ludwigii, Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Twenty-four steers were blocked by initial BW (634 ± 16 kg) and randomly allocated to one of two treatments (control vs. 3.3% TMC). The effect of TMC supplementation on the growth performance was not significant. There was no incidence of urolithiasis in TMCfed steers. However 3 out 12 steers (25%) fed the control diet were observed to have urinary calculi. The carcass yield and meat quality parameters were not affected by TMC supplementation, however marbling score was increased in TMC-fed steers (P = 0.08). There was no effect of TMC treatment on the chemical composition of longissimus dorsi muscle (LM). The TMC supplementation increased concentrations of manganese (P < 0.01), cobalt (P = 0.02), iron, and copper (P = 0.06) in LM. In conclusion, TMC treatment did not negatively affect growth performance and meat quality parameters, and positively affected the trace minerals profile of LM.

광산배수에서 일어나는 철광물의 침전과 상전이는 배수 내 미량 원소의 거동에 매우 중요한 영향을 미친다. 그러나 주로 침전되는 철광물 중 하나인 페리하이드라이트의 침전과 이와 연관된 배수 내 미량원소의 거동은 거의 연구된 적이 없다. 본 연구는 문경 석탄광에서 발생하는 광산배수에서 pH 변화와 시간에 따른 광물침전 특성을 알아보고 이러한 광물의 침전과 연관된 미량원소의 거동 변화를 연구하였다. 침전되는 광물의 경우 pH 4에서는 침철석이 관찰되었고 pH 6 이상에서는 일부 6-line 페리하이드라이트가 혼재하는 2-line 페 리하이드라이트가 주로 동정되었다. 또한 pH 6 이상의 시료에서는 pH가 증가할수록 방해석의 침전이 추가적 으로 증가하는 것이 관찰되었다. 침철석의 경우 초기에 배수 내에서 페리하이드라이트로 침전된 후 낮은 pH의 영향으로 이 광물이 짧은 시간 내에 침철석으로 상전이 되었을 것으로 생각된다. 배수 내 미량 원소의 농도는 pH와 시간에 큰 영향을 받고 있음을 보여준다. 시간에 따라 배수 내의 Fe는 철광물의 침전에 의하여 급격한 농도의 감소를 보였는데 배수 내 산화음이온으로 존재하는 As의 경우도 pH 값에 상관없이 Fe와 같이 급격 한 농도의 감소를 보였다. 이러한 As의 농도 감소는 주로 페리하이드라이트와의 공침에 의한 것으로 여겨지며 낮은 pH의 배수에서는 침철석의 표면 흡착에 의한 것으로 생각된다. 이와는 달리 Cd, Co, Zn, Ni 등의 미량 원소의 농도는 광물의 종류에 상관없이 pH에 큰 영향을 받으며 pH 값이 낮을수록 배수 내 높은 농도로 존 재하였고 pH가 증가할수록 그 농도는 낮아졌다. 이러한 결과는 양이온으로 존재하는 미량원소의 거동의 경우 광물의 종류보다 pH에 따른 광물 표면의 전하 값에 더 큰 영향을 받고 있음을 지시한다.

The concentrations of fourteen mineral and trace elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Se, Ba, Co, Cu, V, Pb, Hg, Cd and As) were determined in Ganoderma Lucidum and their infusions consumed for medical purposes collected from Vietnam, China and some places in Korea. Concentrated acid digestion procedure was applied under optimized conditions for dissolution of these medicinal fungi. Element concentrations in these fungi and their infusions were then determined by ICP-AES. The mineral and trace element content of these samples and their infusions showed a wide variability. However, distribution of some elements in the infusions is not high.

The trace mineral, selenium (Se), is an essential nutrient of fundamental importance to human health. It is also very toxic and can cause Se poisoning (selenosis) in human and animals when its intake exceeds a suitable amount. Se functions within mammalian systems primarily in the form of solenoprotein. About 35 selenoproteins have been identified, though many have not yet been fully elucidated. Selenoproteins contain Se as selenocyseine (Sec) and perform variety of structural and enzymic roles; the enzymic roles are best-known as the antioxidants for hydrogen peroxides and lipid peroxides, and the catalysts for production of activity thyroid hormone. Glutathione peroxidases (~textrmGPX ) among the selenoproteins prevent the generation of free radicals and decrease the risk of oxidative damage to tissues, as does thioredoxin reductase (TR). TR also provides reducing power for several biochemical processes. Selenoproteins P and W are involved with oxidant defense in plasma and muscle, respectively, A selenoprotein is also required for sperm motility and may reduce the risk of miscarriage. Some epidemiological studies have revealed an inverse correlation between Se status and cardiovascular disease, and there is considerable evidence 1mm population com-parison data and animal studies that Se is anticarcinogenic. It is also suggested that Se should be needed for the proper functioning of the immune system, and appear to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV progression to AIDS. As research continues, the role of selenium in the etiology of chronic diseases like appropriate medical nutrition therapy can be delivered and its effectiveness assessed. Se status in individuals is affected by diet and the availability of the Se. The Se content of plants is affected by the content and availability of the element in the soil in which they are grown, and so greatly varies from country to country, while the Se composition of meat reflects the feeding patterns of livestock. This paper provides an overview on Se as an essential trace mineral for human.