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DOI: 10.14738/aivp.92.9806
Publication Date: 25th March, 2021
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.92.9806
Mineral elements analysis using the EDX device and the
similarity using the scanning electron microscope for Juncus
acutus and Juncus subulatus
Huda Mohammed Abd-AlRazik Abusaief1 and Sana Hamed Omar Belgasem 2
1
Crop Sci. Depart. Fac. Agric., Omar Al-Mukhtar Univ. 2
Plant Ecol. Depart. Fac. Nat. Resources and
Environ. Sci., Omar Al-Mukhtar Univ.
Huda.abusaief@omu.edu.ly., Saanhamed915@gmail.com
HIGHLIGHTS
• Determine the similarity of the seed surface details and the stems and roots
cross-section using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
• Mineral elements of the shoot of each species using the EDX device.
• Percentage the aluminum (0.24%) and silicon (0.12%) in Juncus acutus.
ABSTRACT
Two species of wild of Juncus were studied, the reasons for chosen Juncaceae family
are ecologically important. The aim of this study was for formulating the taxonomy
of wild species Juncus acutus L. Subsp. acutus and J. subulatus Forsk. In Libya in
Jarjar-oma area at Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar. The findings indicated variations in the seed
coat the decorative is one of the distinct taxonomic traits, which can be used to
distinguish between the species. The periclinal wall was smooth with fine folded,
the epidermal cell shape was irregular in seed of J.acutus. While, seed with
reticulated, the anticlinal cell wall boundaries, including scars and slightly raised are
channelled in seed of J. subulatus. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) showing the
differences between sclerenchyma cells and vascular bundles in the stems and roots
between the two species. Vascular bundles in the stem of J.acutus are scattered, the
stem is vacuoles. While, vascular bundles are only in subepidemal layer,
meristematic stem where cells have no or only small vacuoles in J.subulatus. The
rhizodermis root is relatively short, exodermis with 2-3 layers with large cells, the
cortical parenchyma was thick in first species. While, the rhizodermis root is long
and extensive, exodermiswith 1-3 layers, the cortical parenchyma unthick in a
second species. Analysis of the elements content (EDX), in the shoot of each species.
Average nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and silicon are higher in J. acutus
compared to J.subulatus. Sodium and chlorine content observed significant
increased in J.subulatus. The Juncus selected because of their considerable salt- resistant. The EDX technology was used to find the nutritional value of Juncus as a
fodder crop.
Keywords: Juncaceae; Juncus acutus; Juncus subulatus; Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM); Anatomy; Cross-section-stems-roots; Seed coat; Mineral
elements; Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX).
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Abusaief, H. M. A. A., & Belgasem, S. H. O. (2021). Mineral elements analysis using the EDX device and the similarity
using the scanning electron microscope for Juncus acutus and Juncus subulatus. European Journal of Applied Sciences,
9(2). 115-130.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.92.9806
INTRODUCTION
The Juncaceae family is one of the families that have not been adequately studied,
but has various potential. The Juncaceae is one of the 8 genera flowering plants with
over 464 species in the Poales order (Christenhusz and Byng, 2016). The species i.e.
Juncus acutus L. was established by Linneaus, 1753. The Juncaceae is of herbaceous
plants monocotyledonous (Xu and Chang, 2017). The Juncus are typically perennials
with rhizomes (Simon, 1992). Juncaceae differs from Poaceae and Cyperaceae in
having smooth except Luzula with hairy in the leaves and culms, without silica
encrustations (Balslev and Zuluaga, 2009). These rushes represented by a single
genus with 8 or 9 species in Libya (Jafri and El-Gadi, 1980). Most species of Juncus
grow exclusively in humid habitats (Romanowski, 2009). Juncaceae is ecologically
important family (Chhetri, 2011). (Ferrer-Gallego, 2019), mentioned numerous
recent phylogenetic analyses at the genus of Juncus. There is evidence of the high
degree of variation among Juncaceae members based on epidermal cell seed
characters (Abdel Khalik, 2010). Several studies have shown the use of
micromorphological characters in the distinction between some Juncaceae taxa
(Balslev and Zuluaga 2009; Verloove, 2010). Spiny rush (Juncus
acutus subsp. acutus) can usually be distinguished from these by its very sharply
pointed stems and leaves also some sedges (USDA NRCS, 2015). Geophytes
represents about (14%) of the flora of Jarjar oma area in that includes 25 species,
from these species flora Juncus subulatus Forsk. and Juncus acutus subsp. acutus
(Abusaief, 2013). Family Juncaceae occurring in the Eastern Himalayan region of
India (Frondoni and Iberite, 2002; Kaligarič and Škornik, 2006; Sarika, 2012). The
definition of chemotaxonomy suggested the use of chemical traits to construct a
systematic structure representing phylogeny (Wink, 2013). Juncus has used soil
erosion as ground cover and is excellent as soil binders, promoting wildlife
conservation by supplying forage, nesting materials, medicinal values and
handicraft materials. Many methods have been used to determine the composition
of the trace elements in plants such as graphite furnace atomic absorption
spectrometry, spectrometry of flame atomic absorption, fluorescence X-ray, and
electron microscopy scanning with a dispersive force X-ray (Helaluddin et al., 2016).
Making available highly nutritious amino acids sources (Zahran and El-Habib, 1979)
and rich in fatty acids which can benefit livelihoods greatly (Osman et al., 1975). The
elements are to support photosynthesis and plant metabolism (Hodges, 2007). The
species of Juncaceae have a high nutritional value (Costanzo, 2003), as indicated by
the following: forage and seeds for domesticated animals. The objective of this study
was to find out a proposed classification describing the taxonomic relationships
between two species of Juncaceae included Juncus acutus L. Subsp. Acutus. and
Juncus subulatus Forsk. The study comprised of two parts, each of which deals with
clear taxonomic evidence of the two species as follows: 1) SEM on the surface of the
seeds and cross-section of stem and root. 2) Elements estimation, analysis by used
EDX device.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study, two species belong to family Juncaceae and Order of Poales.
Authenticated herbarium specimens from two species Juncus acutus L. Subsp. acutus
and J. subulatus Forsk were undertaken during the period from March to Desember
in 2016, 2017 and 2018 from a salt marsh located in Jarjar oma, between latitude
(32,̊ 47′,49.80′′N) and longitude, (21,̊ 26′ 40.60′′E), distance 50 m from the sea in Al-
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European Journal of Applied Sciences, Volume 9 No. 2, April 2021
Services for Science and Education, United Kingdom
Jabal Al- Akhdar of Libya in Mediterranean sea. The species identified by (Jafri and
El-Gadi, 1980; Boulos, 1999). In addition to, the fresh plants were gathered
randomly from different areaof Jarjar oma.
Sample collection
Using 10 herbarium specimens represent each species, fresh plants collected from
the different locations as mentioned earlier (the fresh plants were further matched
against the herbarium specimens to ensure that the identification is correct) and
using the current text flora books. The whole plant, separated seeds, dried by sun,
combine the ingredients and make powder. The powdered seed sample was
properly mixed and carefully put on a glass cover slip air-drying as follows during
electron microscopy, scanning (SEM) analysis of the cover slip itself.
Surface scans and cross-section.
The current investigation aimed to reach the classification reflecting the
taxonomical relationships between two species of Juncaceae. Taxonomic evidences
collected from different sources during this study; Scanning Electron Microscope of
the seed surface characteristics and inflorences micro-morphology and cross- section for stem and root of two species. Specific dimensions of 450 mm(W) x 640
mm(D) as it was 52% more compact, 45% brighter, and 50% more energy-efficient
than the current TOKYO model, Japan, 2016. Using Energy Dispersive X- Ray Analysis (EDX) device, is an x-ray spectroscopy used to identify the chemical
content of materials. In a research lab, national research centre - Cairo in Egypt.
The SEM was used to promote the analysis of micro-morphology for the seeds. The
magnification power had been represented by (X) for each SEM image. The
magnification power was a cross-section of stem and root between 56 to 4000
depending on the seed size variations to represent the clearest and the finest details
of different surface sculptures and anatomy. To clarify the seeds most important
attributes, comparative tables and accumulative figures constructed and presented.
As cited by Murley (1951), descriptive terms for seed surface scaning were used and
modified by Stearn (1983). All the characters studied were shown in tables, figures,
plates and microphotographic images to ease the similarity or difference between
the study species. The presence of elements in powder was verified via EDX.
Statistical Analysis
Use the t test with paired Wilcoxon tests to analyze the variations between the two
species and the standard deviation between the replications of element analysis by
an SPSS program (Page et al., 2003).
RESULTS
1. Juncus acutus L. subsp. acutus
The first record in Libya is that of Juncus acutus L. are part of Subsp. acutus. In
Jarjar oma area at Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar. Popular names include cultivation rush,
sharp pointed rush, sharp rush, spiny rush, sharp sea rush. Synonym name was
Juncus littoralis C. A. Mey. and Juncus spinosus Forssk.
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Abusaief, H. M. A. A., & Belgasem, S. H. O. (2021). Mineral elements analysis using the EDX device and the similarity
using the scanning electron microscope for Juncus acutus and Juncus subulatus. European Journal of Applied Sciences,
9(2). 115-130.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.92.9806
Stem cross-section of J. acutus
Stems 2-5 mm thick, rigid, with 1-5 basal leaves, leaves 1.5-4 mm thick. terete,
pungent, unseptate, brown at the sheathing base: vascular bundles distributed over
most of the cross-section (Fig.1 A & B). Leaves are very similar to the stems. Auricles
hyline: stems and leaves smooth or weakly striate: Stems bear a dense cluster of
flowers just below their tip. The numerous erect stems are produced off very short
creeping underground stems or rhizomes. These are unbranched, rounded in cross- section or cylindrical and glabrous.
The cross-section of stem of J. acutus L. Subsp. acutus. species by scanning electron
micrographs showing the parenchyma cells and vascular bundles, where the large
vascular bundles of 13.41 μm, while, small vascular bundles 5.59 -7.04 μm. The stem
shape is cylindrical and contains fibers. J. acutus stem vascular bundles include
xylem is big holes and phloem is fewer holes tissues. Xylem conveys water and
mineral nutrients from the roots all over the plant, while the phloem conveys
carbohydrates and hormones around the plant. Culms of J. acutus epidermis,
examined cross-section at this stage, composed of cells with thickened and dense
outside walls lignified. The cortex composed 9-10 hypodermic sclerenchyma
strings. The stele consist of essential parenchyma. The vascular bundles with little 5
vascular bundles and an outside one, with, big 6 vascular bundles, too. A
sclerenchyma sheath consists of elements with moderate thick but depth
lignification walls.
A. 2000 X at high magnification B. 2000 X at high magnification
Fig. (1): SEM of the stem showing the cells of the internal cross-section of J.
acutus L. Subsp. acutus.
Root cross-section scans of J. acutus L. Subsp. acutus.
The cross-section for root J. acutus L. Subsp. acutus. species by scanning electron
micrographs showing the root length from 1.1-2.5 mm and width 1.176 mm (Fig.2
A & B). The sclerenchyma cells and vascular bundles where the large vascular
bundles of 109.5- 143.1 μm, small 4.81- 7.35 μm (Fig. 2 C, D, E & F). The root contains
casparian endodermis. The rhizodermis had relatively short and abundant
absorbing hairs. The crustal parenchyma was thick with many big storages the air
recesses involve an exodermis, the endodermis had big cells.