Micronutrient
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{{Unreferenced|date=January 2007}}
'''Micronutrients''' are [[nutrient]]s needed for life in small quantities. The '''Microminerals''' or '''trace elements''' include at least [[iron]], [[cobalt]], [[chromium]], [[copper]], [[iodine]], [[manganese]], [[selenium]], [[zinc]] and [[molybdenum]]. They are [[dietary minerals]] needed by the human body in very small quantities (generally less than 100mg/day) as opposed to [[macromineral]]s which are required in larger quantities. Note that the use of the term "mineral" here is distinct from the usage in the geological sciences.
Vitamins are [[organic chemical]]s that a given living organism requires in trace quantities for good health, but which the organism cannot synthesize, and therefore must obtain from its [[diet (nutrition)|diet]].
===Micronutrient Malnutrition===
{{Not verified|date=June 2007}}
More than two billion people (i.e. one in three persons worldwide) suffer from micronutrient deficiency, a form of [[malnutrition]]. The most common deficiencies can have devastating consequences:
*[[Vitamin A]] deficiency: Nearly 3 million preschool children in [[developing countries]] are [[Blindness|blind]] because of vitamin A deficit.
*[[Iron]]-deficiency [[Anemia]] results in one out of four maternal deaths in the developing world. The cost of [[food fortification|fortifying]] [[flour]] with iron is 20 cents (US) per person per year ([[World Bank]] estimate).
*[[Iodine]] deficiency is the world's leading cause of mental retardation -- more than 2 billion children suffer from lowered IQ and retardation due to Iodine deficiency. The costs of providing iodized salt are estimated at 10 cents per person per year.
[[Vitamin E]], [[zinc]] and [[Manganese deficiency (medicine)|Manganese deficiencies]] are also serious causes for concern.
Micronutrient malnutrition is practically unknown in [[developed countries]] owing to inexpensive interventions such as food fortification, supplementation, and dietary diversification. [[South Asia]] and [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] are among the areas with the most affected people.
Ntitritional quality of weaning food made from the blend of Maize and Beans,
Pg 96b.C.R. 2005.
Personal Thesis.
==Micronutrients for plants==
{{Mergeto|Plant nutrition|date=June 2007}}
There are about eight nutrients essential to plant growth and health that are only needed
in very small quantities. These are [[manganese]], [[boron]], [[copper]], [[iron]], [[chlorine]], [[cobalt]], [[molybdenum]], and [[zinc]]. Some consider [[sulfur]] a micronutrient, but it is listed here as a macronutrient. Though these are present in only small quantities, they are all necessary.
'''Boron''' is believed to be involved in carbohydrate transport in plants; it also assists in metabolic regulation. Boron deficiency will often result in bud dieback.
'''Chlorine''' is necessary for [[osmosis]] and [[ionic balance]]; it also plays a role in [[photosynthesis]].
'''Cobalt''' is essential to plant health. Cobalt is thought to be an important catalyst in nitrogen fixation. It may need to be added to some soils before seeding legumes.
'''Copper''' is a component of some enzymes and of vitamin A. Symptoms of copper deficiency include browning of leaf tips and chlorosis.
'''Iron''' is essential for chlorophyll synthesis, which is why an iron deficiency results in [[chlorosis]].
'''Manganese''' activates some important enzymes involved in [[chlorophyll]] formation. Manganese deficient plants will develop [[chlorosis]] between the veins of its leaves. The availability of manganese is partially dependent on soil pH.
'''Molybdenum''' is essential to plant health. Molybdenum is used by plants to reduce nitrates into usable forms. Some plants use it for nitrogen fixation, thus it may need to be added to some soils before seeding legumes.
'''Zinc''' participates in chlorophyll formation, and also activates many enzymes. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include chlorosis and stunted growth.
==See also==
*[[List of micronutrients]]
*[[Macronutrient (ecology)]]
*[[Dietary mineral]]
*[[Manganese deficiency (medicine)]]
*[http://www.micronutrient.org The Micronutrient Initiative]
== External links ==
*[http://www.iodinenetwork.net Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency]
[[Category:Nutrition]]
[[Category:Micronutrients| ]]
[[Category:Food ingredients]]
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