Food Science Commons^™

Mining For Phytochemicals: A Multifaceted Effort, Kay W. Simmons, Jack Okamuro

Agricultural Research Magazine

Unlike in animals, the “fight or flight” response isn’t an option for imperiled plants—including those grown as crops for our food, fuel, and fiber needs. A plant, for example, cannot simply uproot itself and sprint to safety from an approaching caterpillar.

But plants can defend themselves, and they’ve done so for millennia, by using an abundance of potent secondary compounds broadly referred to as “phytochemicals.” Some, like glyceollins in soybeans, are produced only in response to a specific threat—similar to the adrenaline surge a person experiences from a life-threatening event. For plants, this threat can be from a grazing animal, …

Agricultural Research Magazine January 2012

Agricultural Research Magazine

Table of Contents

4 Corn Defenses Probed for New Pest-Fighting Clues

7 Comparing Light- Conversion Efficiency of Plants and Manmade Solar Cells

8 Building Baby’s Tiny Bones: Formulas and Mother’s Milk Analyzed in Animal Study

10 Recognizing the Threat of Leptospirosis

12 Using Cactus as a Bioremediation Tool

14 ARS Scientists Rally ’Round the Range

17 There’s a New Biofuel Crop in Town

18 A Search for the Sweet Spot in Sugar Beet Production

20 Nutrient Data in Time for the New Year

22 A Rough, Tough Forage for Rangeland Cattle

23 Locations Featured in This Magazine Issue

Recognizing The Threat Of Leptospirosis, Sandra Avant

Agricultural Research Magazine

“The disease in humans can often be an acute infection,” says lead scientist Richard Zuerner, a former microbiologist with the Agricultural Research Service’s National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa. “In areas where it is endemic, like Brazil, it occurs on a periodic basis, and a portion of those infected will experience pulmonary hemorrhage, which can lead to a very rapid and painful death.”

Leptospirosis in livestock can cause abortions, stillbirths, reduced milk production, and lower fertility, Zuerner says. In horses, it can also result in uveitis, a potential cause of blindness.

Less is known about leptospirosis in wildlife, …

Comparing Light-Conversion Efficiency Of Plants And Manmade Solar Cells, Donald R. Ort, Sharon Durham

Agricultural Research Magazine

When it comes to using light energy, how do manmade photo cells compare to plants’ photosynthesis? An Agricultural Research Service scientist participated in a study comparing how efficiently plants and photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into energy. The study, published in Science, could help researchers improve plant photosynthesis—a critical first link in the global supply chain for food, feed, fiber, and bioenergy production.

Comparing the two systems is a challenge. Although both processes harvest energy from sunlight, they use that energy in different ways. Plants convert the sun’s energy into chemical energy, whereas solar cells produce electricity.

Scientists know that …

January 2012- Locations Featured In This Magazine Issue

Agricultural Research Magazine

San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, California

3 research units ■ 117 employees

Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns Oregon

1 research unit ■ 44 employees

The Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Unit, Prosser, Washington

1 research unit ■ 39 employees

Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, Idaho

1 research unit ■ 40 employees

Logan, Utah

3 research units ■ 100 employees

Las Cruces, New Mexico

2 research units ■ 54 employees

Ames, Iowa

8 research units ■ 535 employees

Little Rock, Arkansas

9 research units ■ 67 employees (1 ARS employee, 66 university employees)

National Center for …

Building Baby’S Tiny Bones: Formulas And Mother’S Milk Analyzed In Animal Study, Marcia Wood, Jin-Ran Chen, Aline Andres

Agricultural Research Magazine

For millions of American infants, a bottle of warm, soy-based baby formula is what’s for dinner. It’s also what’s for breakfast, lunch, and all those between-meal feedings, as well.

At least, that’s the routine for a healthy, soy-fed baby’s first few months of life. After that, baby may be ready to handle solid food—puréed fruits and vegetables, for instance.

At the USDA-ARS Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center in Little Rock, principal investigator Jin-Ran Chen, M.D., is taking a close look at the effects that soy formula, cow’s-milk formula, and mother’s milk have in regard to development of strong, healthy bones. As …

Nutrient Data In Time For The New Year, Rosalie Marion Bliss, Joanne Holden

Agricultural Research Magazine

Federal rules published in 2010 require specific meat and poultry products to carry new nutrition information starting January 2, 2012. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that the new rules will make important nutrition information readily available to consumers on 40 of the most popular cuts of meat and poultry. Two timely data sets provided by the Agricultural Research Service’s Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) in Beltsville, Maryland, are being used by the beef and pork industries to provide the new Nutrition Facts labels for their products.

Previously, NDL researchers, in collaboration with representatives of the beef and pork …

Back Matter Agricultural Research Magazine January 2011

Agricultural Research Magazine

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Magazine

5601 Sunnyside Ave.

Beltsville, MD 20705-5128

A Search For The Sweet Spot In Sugar Beet Production, Ann Perry

Agricultural Research Magazine

The whole point of growing sugar beets is to produce sugar. But once the beets are harvested and stored for processing—usually in huge piles that can weigh thousands of tons—they slowly start to decay, which lowers their sucrose levels.

Roots store sugar even more poorly if they originate from fields infested with the virus that causes rhizomania, a disease that also severely affects yield. Resistance genes in sugar beet help protect the plant from rhizomania, but some strains of the virus have evolved to overcome one of the resistance genes, Rz1.

“The economic loss from damage to stored beets …

Ars Scientists Rally 'Round The Range, Dennis O’Brien, Ann Perry, Tony Svejcar, Jeremy James, Mary Lucero

Agricultural Research Magazine

Rangelands in the western United States provide essential grazingland for hundreds of thousands of cattle and other livestock as well as a home for a vast array of native plants and animals. And since these rangelands make up a large part of the U.S. public land system, taxpayers often foot the bill for upkeep of the hardscrabble holdings. So Agricultural Research Service scientists across the West are collaborating to make sure the money used to sustain and repair these arid ecosystems is spent on programs that work.

A Burning Issue

For millennia, periodic wildfires have been an integral part of …

A Rough, Tough Forage For Rangeland Cattle, Ann Perry

Agricultural Research Magazine

Forage kochia (Kochia prostrata) is a shrubby Asian native that has found a new home on western U.S. rangelands. And although it is not invasive, it is still sometimes more resilient than the North American native plants.

“In some rangeland soils, it’s difficult to successfully reseed with native plants,” says geneticist Blair Waldron, who works at the Agricultural Research Service’s Forage and Range Research Laboratory in Logan, Utah. “But we’ve shown that forage kochia can be established to enhance rangelands and compete with cheatgrass successfully. It can even protect against wildfires. Some people said that livestock won’t eat …

Ua66/5 Department Of Agriculture 2012 Newsletter, Department Of Agriculture And Food Science

Agriculture Department Publications

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Michael Vayda

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 13 2012, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Growing South Dakota (Fall 2011), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

Page] 2 Adapting for the Future: South Dakota 4-H Efforts Move Forward
[Page] 5 Regional Transitions: Eight Extension Centers to Open in October
[Page] 6 College News [Page] 8 Making a Difference with Research: Ag Experiment Station Aids Industry & Economy
[Page] 10 Pig Potential: South Dakota's Swine Industry Offers Economic Opportunity [Page] 13 New Department Debuts: Natural Resource Disciplines Join Forces
[Page] 14 Autumn in the AIr: Grab Your Blue and Gold and Visit Campus
[Page] 16 iGrow Evolves: Usability And Content Are Being Enhanced
[Page] 18 Collection Effort: Despite Budget Cuts, Private Funds Allowed for Growth [Page] 21 …

Executive Summary, Cumberland County Foodshed Assessment, Report 1, Barbara Ives

Local Food Systems

Like everyone else in these troubled economic times, Mainers are looking for ways to create jobs that will remain relevant and vital in a global economy, that cannot be outsourced, and that will regenerate rather than exploit our natural resources.

A growing number of people believe that a food system rooted in local farms, fisheries, and food production and distribution enterprises can strengthen Maine’s economy and its communities’ health, thereby increasing revenue and decreasing an expense that is crippling government agencies and individuals alike – healthcare. Business people who want to make a living related to food, and public and …

Investigation Of In-Package Ozonation: The Effectiveness Of Ozone To Inactive Salmonella Enteritidis On Raw, Shell Eggs, Austin Donner

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Food production, handling, and distribution practices pose a constant threat to the quality and safety of food products. The objective of this research is to evaluate an innovative in-package ozonation process to reduce Salmonella enteritidis on raw, shell eggs. Previous research has shown that in-package ozonation eliminates contaminants from outside sources, reduces pathogens, and extends shelf life. In this study, raw, shell eggs were inoculated with Salmonella enteritidis and exposed to ozonation treatment. Microbial recoveries were then tested to determine bacterial reductions. Measurements included: relative humidity (34 percent at 5^oC), surface temperatures (^oC), ozone concentrations, bacterial …

Sensory Evaluations Of Usda Select Strip Loin Steaks Enhanced With Sodium And Potassium Phosphates And Usda Choice Strip Loin Steaks For Comparable Palatability Factors, Lindsey Reynolds

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The cyclic nature of the beef industry is dependent on the supply and demand transaction initiated by consumers’ acceptability of quality meat products. When purchasing beef at the grocery store, consumers are dependent on USDA grades and visual appraisal; consumers expect consistency in products. Upon this appraisal, quality is determined by the color, marbling content, and texture of a particular retail cut, as well as cooked characteristics of tenderness, flavor, and juiciness. Variability in meat tenderness is a major quality defect of beef (Morgan et al., 1991b; Smith et al., 1992). A common practice used by beef processors to extend …

The Antimicrobial Activity Of Cold Pressed Terpeneless Valencia Orange Oil At Cold Temperatures, Sean Jeffrey Pendleton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research was undertaken to identify an antimicrobial for use during chilling in beef processing, including periods of temperature abuse, as well as to evaluate membrane filtration as means to remove essential oils from bacteria to prevent further antibacterial action. Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil was examined in combination with various temperatures (37°C, 10°C, and 4°C) to determine its antimicrobial activity against various strains of bacteria. The strains were tested using a ninety-six well microtiter plate method, with or without membrane filtration. The compound 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was used as a growth indicator. Serial, two fold dilutions …

Estimation Of The Number Of Days Required To Determine Usual Antioxidant Intakes And Assessment Of The Prevalence Of Nutrient Inadequacy Among College Students, Catherine G. Davis

Master's Theses

High intake of antioxidant rich foods has been shown to decrease risk factors of chronic disease.  Young adulthood may be crucial in establishing healthy lifestyles including adequate nutrient consumption.

The present study was designed 1) to estimate usual nutrient intakes, 2) to calculate the number of days required to estimate usual antioxidant intake, and 3) to assess intake adequacy from diet and diet + supplement sources by using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).  The USDA Flavonoid and Proanthocyanidin databases, food consumption data, and dietary supplement use data from 60 students aged 18-25 years at the University of Connecticut were utilized. …

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2011), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 Classroom to Careers: An Optimistic Outlook Awaits Ag & Biological Sciences Graduates
[Page] 5 New Opportunities: Intro Ag Courses To Be Offered in Rapid City
[Page] 6 Budget Reality: Funding Cuts Prompt Structure and Staff Changes
[Page] 7 Gearing Up for DakotaFest: Replicated SDSU Campus, Educational Forums and Fundraising Auction Planned
[Page] 8 Continuing a Legacy: &1 Million Livestock Judging Endowment Being Established
[Page] 10 4-H Fun: Unique 4-H Activities Spark Student Interest in Science
[Page] 12 Innovative Outreach: BBQ Boot Camp Connect Consumers to Meat Industry
[Page] 13 College News
[Page] 14 Relevant Research: New, More Efficient …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2011), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 Introducing iGrow: New Web Portal Brings Information To One Location
[Page] 4 Crops, Cattle & Much More: Opportunities Farm Cultivates Research, Teaching And Scholarships
[Page] 7 College News
[Page] 8 Funding Fundamentals: Budget Cuts Have Far-Reaching Impact
[Page] 10 The Value Extension: Three Producers Share How They've Benefited [Page] 12 A Vision for Precision: Gregg Carlson Has Helped Guide Agronomy
[Page] 13 A Boost for Beginning Beef Producers: Training Program Offered Through USDA Grant
[Page] 14 Ethanol's Evolution: Promising New Research Goes Beyond Corn
[Page] 16 New Era for Cereal Grains: Seed Technology Lab Inspires Innovation
[Page] 18 …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Michael Vayda

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 12 2011, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Controlling The Mineral Content Of Sweet Whey Powder In An Industrial Setting, Matthew W. Sawyer

Dairy Science

The objective of this project was to reduce the final ash content of sweet whey powder. The data for this project was collected over a two-week period, from July 13th to July 27th 2010 in a dairy plant in the Mid-West of the United States. The data is composed of particle size test, ash test, and pH test. The conclusions of this study are that multiple pre-heat treatment tank changes contribute to mineral content by requiring more buffering than usual. The low pH of this pre-heat liquid forces a need for more buffering. Particle segregation may play a role in …

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation Of The Blood: Tissue Relationship In Poultry: Screening For Antibiotic Residues In Chicken Muscle, Ixchel Reyes Herrera

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During their life, humans are exposed to numerous substances that are naturally present in the environment or that are the result of man made processes, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides and veterinary drugs. Some of these substances can leave residues in food products and possibly expose consumers to their potential toxic effects. To address these problems extensive regulatory efforts are devoted to prevent, detect and control these substances from reaching the food supply. However, given the vast diversity of food products that requires monitoring and the immense diversity of potential chemical contaminants, the need for an efficient and …