Scientists discover why rice plants absorb so much arsenic

by Rich Bowden - Jul 14 2008, 23:54

Japanese scientists have isolated the two proteins in rice which they contend is responsible for the plant absorbing so much arsenic from the ground.

Image: Rice Field,Tamil Nadu,India. Credit: mckaysavage/flickr

Researchers at the Okayama University's Research Institute for Bioresources have announced their study, which used experimental rice with the proteins removed, as showing a sharp reduction in the intake of arsenic."We used mutant paddy (in which) these two transporters were knocked out and we saw decreased arsenite in both the stalk and rice grain," said Ma Jianfeng at the Research Institute to Reuters.Though occurring naturally, excessive doses of arsenic is linked to various cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The contamination of rice with arsenic is a big health problem in areas such as Bangladesh and India's West Bengal.Ma said that both silicon and arsenic use the same proteins for transporting them to the plants and recommended increased use of silicon in fertiliser to offset the arsenic. Silicon plays an important role for the plant's growth and productivity."Silicon and arsenic use the same transporters ... (using) more silicon fertilizers in paddy fields (will result in) more silicon uptake and less arsenic," Ma said.The team believes further research will eventually see genetically-engineered rice plants which absorb silicon but not arsenic.Their findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Bill BartmannSep 23rd, 2009 - 00:55:05

FYI.....Plaxico Burress The NFL Footbal Player Begins Prison Sentence Today!
Not that I have anything against the guy but finally these athletes might start to get it....You CAN'T just do anything you want and get away with it. If I get caught with a gun, I would have to do time too.

Just my 2 cents.....

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Scientists discover why rice plants absorb so much arsenic

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