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Oh, S, 2025. Vitamin B12 and iron fortification in lettuces grown in hydroponic/aeroponic cultivation using nanoparticle technologies. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.
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Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies also known as hidden hunger, threaten global nutrition security and cause critical health problems. While interventions have been widely implemented for iron, iodine, and vitamin A, vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency has received limited attention in crop fortification research. Although iron is abundant in the environment, its bioavailability for plant uptake is limited due to its chemical forms and soil interactions. Both B12 and iron deficiencies are leading contributors to anaemia, a major public health issue affecting young children and women of reproductive age globally. This study investigates B12 and iron fortification in lettuce (Lactuca sativa), using cyanocobalamin (B12) and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) under hydroponic and aeroponic conditions. B12 was applied via root and leaf treatments, and uptake, translocation and accumulation were assessed using elemental analysis.
The study found that both root and leaf application of B12 successfully enriched lettuce to levels meeting the recommended daily intake for adults (2.4 µg), without causing significant changes in plant morphology, physiology, or bioactive compound profiles. Notably, B12 applied at 10 mg / L via leaf application and 7.5 mg / L through root application resulted in B12 concentrations sufficient to exceed the adult daily requirement with 4.8 g and 1.7 g of fresh lettuce consumption respectively. Although root application showed effective B12 uptake and accumulation, from a cost-effective perspective, leaf application is more practical for agricultural use, as root application required approximately 100 times more B12 to achieve similar accumulation levels.
Additionally, the study found that Fe3O4 NPs capped with L-lysine enhanced lettuce growth and development, while improving iron bioavailability. Particularly, the Fe3O4 NPs 2.5 mg / L treatment resulted in improved physiological parameters, greater final harvest weight, and higher iron accumulation in leaf tissues compared to the Fe-EDTA treatment. These findings suggest that Fe3O4 NPs are a promising alternative to conventional iron fertilisers (e.g., Fe-EDTA) for hydroponic systems, with potential to reduce input costs and increase nutritional value.
Finally, the study assessed the combined fortification of B12 via leaf application and Fe3O4 NPs through root application. The Fe3O4 NPs 5 mg / L treatment significantly enhanced lettuce growth and development compared to the 2.5 mg / L treatment. Lettuces plants treated with high concentrations of B12 (100 and 1000 mg / L) exhibited growth inhibition, whereas intermediate concentrations (10 and 50 mg / L) led to increased final harvest weight and higher accumulation of multiple elements, including Fe, K, Mg, and P. These results indicate that the effects of Fe3O4 NPs on plant development were generally greater than those of B12, except at the highest B12 concentration (1000 mg / L), where inhibitory effects prevailed. This study suggests that effective and practical B12 fortification can be achieved using low concentrations (e.g., 5 mg / L to10 mg / L). Additionally, the Fe3O4 NPs 5 mg / L treatment is recommended for hydroponically cultivated lettuce to promote enhanced growth, superior harvest quality, and higher iron accumulation due to improved bioavailability.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Creators: | Oh, S. |
| Contributors: | Name Role NTU ID ORCID |
| Date: | August 2025 |
| Divisions: | Schools > School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences |
| Record created by: | Jeremy Silvester |
| Date Added: | 21 Aug 2025 10:57 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Aug 2025 10:57 |
| URI: | https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/54240 |
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4167-1332Actions (login required)
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