Agriculture Commons^™

In Vivo Toxicity Assessment Of Aflatoxin B1-Contaminated Corn After Ozone Degradation, Luo Xiaohu, Qi Lijun, Wang Ren, Wang Li, Li Yongfu, Yang Dan, Yu Xiaobin, Chen Zhengxing

Food and Machinery

Aflatoxin B1-contaminated corn (ACC) (83.0 μg/kg) was treated for 40 min at 90 mg/L ozone. And mice were used to assess the vivo toxicity of ozone treated ACC. Results indicated that compared with basal feedstuff, the mean weight of mice fed with ACC significantly decreased (P＜0.05). Whereas, the liver and kidney/body weight ratio increased significantly (P＜0.05). Alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum increased significantly (P＜0.05). The total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and globulin (GLB) content significantly decreased (P＜0.05). When mice were fed with the ozone-treated ACC, no significant differences were observed in the mice …

Anti-Bacterial Effects On Helicobacter Pylori Of Aqueous Extracts From Bitter Melon And Its Ptimum Extraction Process, Zhang Xiaolin, Wu Yanxiang, Lu Fan, He Peipei

Food and Machinery

In order to study the anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of aqueous extracts from bitter melon， the extraction processes were optimized by orthogonal array design with respect to inhibitory zone size of bacteria using paper disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and bactericidal kinetics on aqueous extracts of bitter melon were further investigated. The results showed that the best anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of aqueous extracts from bitter melon were the water extraction condition with the temperature at 80 ℃，the ratio of material to liquid at 1∶50， for 1.5 h. Its MIC and MBC against Helicobacter pylori …

Moderate Refine And Oxidative Stability Of Cold-Pressed Carya Hunanensis Cheng Et R. H. Chang Oil, Miao Miao, Wang Xiali, Li Yuchun, Yi Cuiping, Shi Xiulan, Liu Ruixing

Food and Machinery

Moderate refining and antioxidant adding on the qualities of cold squeezing Carya kernel oil was studied. Results showed that the the acid value of cold squeezing Carya kernel oil was a little higher and appeared to be a darker shade of yellow than national standards. Subsequently, the qualified oil could be obtained after deacidification and decoloration, with the acid value lower than 3.0 mg KOH/g and yellowness 30. The storage time of the studied oil was 448 days with 0.02% phytic acid added, and the volume of unsaturated fatty acid was found up to 86.74%.

Study On Ultrasonic Extraction And Anti-Oxidation Activity Of Polysaccharide Obtained From Citrus Reticulate Peel, Liu Cunfang, Shi Juan, Zhang Qiang

Food and Machinery

The extraction process of Citrus reticulate peel polysaccharide was studied by single factor experiment which controlled extraction temperature, extraction time, ultrasonic power and liquid ratio. The orthogonal experiment was texted and based on single factor experiments, then determined the best extraction process by experimental data. The oxidation resistance of Citrus reticulate peel polysaccharide was determined by Fenton reaction. The results showed that the extraction rate of Citrus reticulate peel polysaccharide could reach 28.86% when the extraction temperature was 70 ℃, extraction time 50 min, ultrasonic power 280 W, solid-liquid ratio 1∶25(g/mL). The hydroxyl radicals were cleared by Citrus reticulate peel …

Optimizating The Alkaline Extraction Technology Of Broken Long-Grain Rice Protein, Liyu Zhen, Xiaohuai Qiu

Food and Machinery

To improve the efficiency of protein extraction from broken long-grain rice, a quadratic rotatable central composite response surface methodology (qrCCD-RSM) was utilized to investigate the affecting mechanism of alkali concentrations, broken long-grain rice particle sizes and solid-liquid ratios (SLR), based on the results of Min-Run Res IV factorial design and steep accent experiments (SAE). The optimal extraction condition was obtained, i.e. 80 mesh of broken long-grain rice was used to extrat proteins, soluting in 0.09 mol/L of NaOH buffer, with the SLR 1 g∶13.5 mL at 50 ℃ for 120 min. Under this optimized condition, the protein extraction rate and …

Preparation Of Instant Kuduz-Rice Porridge By Screw Extrusion, Zhu Hong, Liu Yang, Yi Cuiping, Yu Jian

Food and Machinery

Instant kuduz-rice porridge was prepared by screw extrusion after being balanced by kudzu flour with non-waxy rice flour. The nutrient component, texture properties and sensory properties of the products were analyzed. Results indicated that, the principal component of instant kuduz-rice porridge was starch, with few flavone; the digestibility in vitro increased sharply than raw material after being extrusion, whatever the product was puffing or not; within the range of shaping, the porridge with 20% kuduz flour obtained higher viscosity, chewiness, hardness and elasticity; the results of sensory evolution showed that the porridge with 20% kuduz flour got more ideal score …

U.S. Drought Monitor, August 23, 2016, Brad Rippey

United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive

Drought map of U.S. for August 23, 2016 (8/23/16) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.

The Farm Newsletter, Usu Student Organic Farm

USU Student Organic Farm Newsletter

A Note on Carrots

Included in your shares with the carrots are the carrot greens. Though usually discarded, carrot tops are actually edible and highly nutritious. They can been eaten raw in salads, cooked into soups, or used in a variety of other ways. Important to note however is that due to the natural biological processes in the plant, if your carrot tops are left attached to the roots for an extended time they will make your carrots soft. This is because the plant is still alive and the leaves are still pulling moisture from the roots.

Oregon Wine Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2016, Oregon Wine Board

Oregon Wine Board Documents

These meeting minutes list individuals in attendance and missing at the August 18, 2016 Oregon Wine Board (OWB) meeting, held at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. The Board went into Executive Session prior to calling the meeting to order. The finance, research, education, and marketing/communications committees provided reports. As part of the research committee's report, the Board discussed whether business and economics research will continue to reside within the Oregon Wine Standing Committee on Research (OWSCR). The meeting lasted 3 hours 44 minutes (including the time spent in Executive Session).

A Quantitative Analysis Of Hugelkultur And Its Potential Application On Karst Rocky Desertified Areas In China, Megan Laffoon

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

A type of environmental degradation, karst rocky desertification (KRD) refers to areas where the soil loss exposes the bedrock and reduces the land’s ability to sustain life and is particularly widespread through the vast karst area of rural southwest China. Hugelkultur is a permaculture method that harnesses the wood decomposition process by burying logs beneath soil. We proposed that hugel beds will demonstrate a higher water holding capacity and enhance soil development, in a way that may show promise as a potential method to help alleviate problems of KRD. Soil samples were taken from hugel plots, non-hugel plots, and KRD-like …

Downstream Pollution 2: Does Framing Affect Genders Differently?, Marianna Khachaturyan, Natalia Czap, Gary D. Lynne

Cornhusker Economics

About a year ago we published the article “Downstream Pollution: Do Gender and Emotion Matter” (Cornhusker Economics, September 23, 2015) reporting the gender effects with respect to expressing positive and negative emotions in the downstream pollution game. We found that expressing positive emotions does not result in higher levels of conservation and, thus, does not significantly affect the quality of downstream water regardless of the gender of the polluter. At the same time, expressing negative emotions was more effective in increasing conservation and achieving cleaner water downstream. Notably, in contrast to our expectations, men responded to negative emotions with a …

Transforming The Wku Office Of Sustainability's Front Yard Into An Edible Landscape, Alexandra Hezik

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Since moving to 503 Regents Avenue in Fall 2013, the WKU Office of Sustainability has served as a sustainable best practices demonstration home for the WKU and Bowling Green communities. Not only does the house in which the Office of Sustainability is located serve as an educational tool for people, but also the landscape. In May 2014, the WKU Community Garden was established in the backyard. The transformation of the Office of Sustainability’s front lawn into an edible landscape began on April 1, 2015. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate an alternative to conventional lawns.

U.S. Drought Monitor, August 16, 2016, David Miskus

United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive

Drought map of U.S. for August 16, 2016 (8/16/16) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.

The Farm Newsletter, Usu Student Organic Farm

USU Student Organic Farm Newsletter

Due to the start of fall semester, the majority of our farm workers will not be available during regular pickup hours. Starting the week of August 29 - September 3, pick-up time for all CSA members will permanently change to Saturday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. All pick-ups will take place at the farm, which is located at 1750 N 800 E in Logan.

Effects Of An Electronic, Motion-Activated Scarecrow On Foraging Time In Nocturnal Vertebrate Crop Pets In South Africa, Mallory Clouse

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The normal behaviors of animals can disrupt human activities, resulting in human wildlifeconflict. In South Africa, nocturnal crop raiders are a significant source of human wildlifeconflict for farmers. Major nocturnal pest animals are Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) and bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus). Although methods of deterring animals from agricultural areas have been explored, nocturnal crop raiding remains difficult to mitigate. Most research studies focus on deterring non-human primates and elephants, but methods that may be successful in deterring such larger mammals are not necessarily effective at discouraging smaller, nocturnal crop raiders. This study examined the efficacy of …

Nebraska Livestock Expansion Policies, J. David Aiken

Cornhusker Economics

Livestock expansion in Nebraska is often contentious. Supporters of livestock expansion accomplished a major policy objective in the 2016 legislative session with the adoption of LB176 which authorizes swine processors to contract with producers to grow processor-owned hogs. In addition, the draft LB106 livestock site assessment zoning matrix was released this summer. This newsletter explores the possible impact of these developments for expanded livestock production in Nebraska.

U.S. Drought Monitor, August 9, 2016, Richard Tinker

United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive

Drought map of U.S. for August 9, 2016 (8/9/16) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.

Ex-Post Livestock Diseases, And Pastoralists' Averting Decisions In Tanzania, Mazbahul Ahamad

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Little is known about the factors affecting pastoralists’ livestock vaccination decisions. In this thesis, we use a novel survey-based dataset on pastoralists living in the Ruaha landscape in Tanzania, and employ several econometric approaches to identify the factors affecting pastoralists’ decision-making process about livestock vaccination when disease occurrence and severity, vaccination and healthcare access costs and other related variables are known. Results from binary choice models that account for excess zeros indicate that socially and economically active households are more likely to vaccinate their livestock. The results also identify positive marginal effects of illness incidence and having wage earners and …

Persistence Of Trace Organic Contaminants From A Commercial Biosolids-Based Fertilizer In Aerobic Soils, Travis A. Banet, Jihyun R. Kim, Michael L. Mashtare

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Municipal biosolids are recycled as agricultural fertilizers. Recent studies have raised concerns due to the presence of emerging contaminants in municipal biosolids. Previous research suggests that these contaminants have the potential to reside in biosolids-based fertilizers that are commercially distributed. Use of these products in urban/suburban areas may provide a pathway for these contaminants to enter ecosystems and impact human and environmental health. Soils from Purdue University’s community garden and MiracleGro Potting Mix were chosen to represent commonly used urban/suburban growth media. Triclosan, triclocarban, and methyl parabens were selected as compounds of interest for this study. A heat treated commercial …

Increasing Maize Tolerance To Drought And Flood With Seed Coating Treatments, Jacob E. Bennett, Achint Sanghi, R. P. Kingsly Ambrose

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

The lack of irrigation in regions prone to drought, and flooding due to high rainfall or lack of drainage affects seed viability and the subsequent germination and crop establishment. Seed treatment in the form of coatings shows promise as an effective method to preserve the viability of corn (Zea mays) seeds in drought and flood conditions. Chemical formulations may help improve the seed corn vigor under these stressed conditions. This study examined the efficacy of β-aminobutyric acid [BABA] and N-isopropylacrylamide [NIPA] in inducing drought resistance, as well as the ability of lanolin and linseed oil to provide flood …