Utilisation of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) for egg production.

1. The performance of White Leghorn laying hens on diets providing pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) at 300 and 600 g/kg to replace maize, part per part, or "maize mix" isoenergetically and isonitrogenously in the first experiment and at 600 g/kg diet to replace maize in toto, part per part, in the second experiment were examined. In the first experiment, 3 groups of 12 laying hens were placed on each of the 5 dietary treatments for 3 x 28 d, whereas in the second experiment, each of the two diets was offered to 10 groups of 15 laying hens for 6 x 28 d. 2. Inclusion of pearl millet in the diet at the expense of maize, part per part, did not significantly influence hen-day egg production, feed intake, feed efficiency and body weight in either experiment. Incorporation of pearl millet isoenergetically at the expense of "maize mix" at any level, i.e. 300 g or 600 g/kg (Experiment 1), also did not influence hen-day egg production but at the end of periods 2 and 3 did result in decreased feed intakes with consequent improvements in feed efficiency. 3. Egg weight in general showed a tendency to improve with diets providing pearl millet at 600 g/kg. 4. Profits from egg sales over feed cost were directly proportional to the inclusion of pearl millet in the diet either at the expense of maize, part per part, or "maize mix" isoenergetically.

Spectrophotometric method for the determination of paraquat in water, grain and plant materials.

A sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of paraquat using ascorbic acid (an easily available reducing agent) is described. Paraquat is reduced with ascorbic acid in alkaline solution to give a blue radical ion with an absorbance maximum at 600 nm. Beer's law is obeyed in the range 12-96 micrograms of paraquat in 10 ml of the final solution (1.2-9.6 ppm). The important analytical parameters and the optimum reaction conditions were evaluated. The method was applied successfully to the determination of paraquat in water, grain and plant materials.

[Assay of moniliformin content in household grains from families in patients with Keshan disease].

Ion-pairing extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were employed for assaying moniliformin (a fungal toxin) content in the corn (Shaanxi) and rice (Yunnan) samples collected from families suffering from Ke-shan disease. The highest contents were found to be 264 micrograms/kg (corn) and 252 micrograms/kg (rice), while a rice sample from Beijing market showed none. The identity of moniliformin was confirmed by 2D-UV detection and co-HPLC with a synthetic toxin sample. These results strongly support the view that moniliformin is a pathogenic factor of Ke-shan disease.

Determination of phytic acid in cereals using ICP-AES to determine phosphorus.

A novel approach for determination of phytic acid in cereals has been applied in 2 traditional methods. In the first, phytic acid in a sample extract is first separated and concentrated by ion-exchange chromatography. The phytic acid concentrate is then quantitatively determined as phosphorus by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). In the second method, extracted phytic acid is first precipitated by FeCl3 solution. The complexed iron is converted to ferric hydroxide by adding NaOH, thus releasing phytic acid as soluble sodium phytate. Phytate is then quantitatively determined as phosphorus by ICP-AES. In these methods, both the difficult acid digestion and the spectrometric determination of phosphorus found in traditional methods are eliminated by using ICP-AES. This results in a method that is simpler, faster, and more accurate than earlier procedures.

Survey of total and bioavailable chromium in grain and cereal products by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

The chromium content of samples of cereals, legumes, oil seeds, and alimentary pastes (in the latter, bioavailable chromium as well) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The chromium content in whole cereals differs substantially and is mostly concentrated in pericarps. Variations occur not only among different types of cereals, but also among cereals of the same type, depending on the areas of origin. Concentration varies substantially even in samples of legumes and oil seeds. The content of bioavailable chromium (ethanol-extractable) is, in most cases, more than 50% of the total chromium amount. This makes these products particularly interesting as dietary supplements.

Sequence of amino acid limitation in triticale.

Nitrogen balance experiments were conducted on growing rats to study the sequence of limitation of amino acids in triticale protein. All essential amino acids were added to a triticale-based diet to adjust their total dietary levels to 110% of the requirement. From this complete supplement, individual amino acids were successively removed and nitrogen balance (NB) and biological value of protein (BV) were measured. Based on the extent of response to removal of amino acids, the sequence of limitation was determined to be lysine, threonine, methionine and valine. The removal of histidine, isoleucine or tryptophan had no effect on NB or BV.

[Analysis of trace elements in cataractous lenses and environmental samples in Tibet].

Trace elements of Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, and Se in Tibetan cataractous lenses and also in local samples of earth, drinking water, and staple foods were analyzed to estimate the possible relationship between environmental factors and primary cataract formation in Tibet. The Fe, Mg and Se contents in Tibetan cataracts were significantly lower in comparison with levels in those of Chengdu area, particularly the Se contents were low in both cataracts and local environment, suggesting a probable correlation between cataract formation and low Se contents in food and water.

Sequence of amino acid limitation in triticale.

Nitrogen balance experiments were conducted on growing rats to study the sequence of limitation of amino acids in triticale protein. All essential amino acids were added to a triticale-based diet to adjust their total dietary levels to 110% of the requirement. From this complete supplement, individual amino acids were successively removed and nitrogen balance (NB) and biological value of protein (BV) were measured. Based on the extent of response to removal of amino acids, the sequence of limitation was estimated to be lysine, threonine, methionine and valine. The removal of histidine, isoleucine or tryptophan had no effect on NB or BV.

[Comparative study of analytical methods for determination of dietary fiber insoluble fraction, in starch rich foods]. / Estudo comparativo de métodos analiticos de determinação da fração "fibra da dieta" insoluvel, em alimentos ricos em amido.

The objective of this work was to compare two enzymatic methods for determination of the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in starch-rich foods. The samples analyzed were foods from the legume group, cereals and derivatives, roots, tubers and similars. The results obtained by the Robertson and Van Soest method showed markedly higher values of the NDF fraction when compared with those found following the procedure of Mendez et al. The percentage differences in NDF values found between the two methods were not constant in the food samples analyzed. These differences were not related with the starch content present in the samples nor with the type of processing to which the foods were subjected. The Mendez et al. method is recommended for the samples tested.

[Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber in cereals and legumes cultivated in Chile]. / Fibra dietética soluble e insoluble en cereales y leguminosas cultivadas en Chile.

Insoluble, soluble and total dietary fiber (DF) were determined in 35 varieties of certified whole seeds (without processing) of cereals (rice, oat, rye, and wheat) and legumes (pea, cowpea, beans, chikpea, lentil and lupine). The enzymatic method of Asp, Johansson and Siljestrom was used, with modifications in relation to time of incubation with alpha amylase, filtration system and volumes of the filtrates. Results were expressed as g/100 g dry weight. Total DF for cereals showed a range from 10.1 (wheat var. Chasqui) to 22.2 (rice var Quella). Rye, var. Tetra Baer and oats var. Pony Baer presented the highest soluble fiber content (3.3 and 3.9, respectively). In legumes, total DF fluctuated between 12.7 (pea, var. yellow) and 36.6 (lupine, var. Multolupa). Bean, var. Pinto INIA and lupine var. Multolupa presented the highest soluble fiber values (5.8 for both). Based on the results of this research work, it might be concluded that great variation exists in regard to the amount of total soluble and insoluble DF in cereals and legumes, a fact which impedes generalization as to its content in each food item.

Evaluation of the selenium and chromium content of plant foods.

In the present study the selenium and chromium content of different plant foods such as fruits, greens, flowers, vegetables, dried fruits, spices, condiments, cereals and pulses were analysed. The selenium values for cereals indehiscent vegetables, root vegetables, stem vegetables, pulses, fleshy vegetables, greens, fleshy fruits, condiment seeds, spices and dried fruits ranged between 24.2-32.16, 2.4-18.9, 2.8-21.5, 3.0-32, 48.7-92.5, 1.25-9.5, 3.0-8.2, 2.0-9.4, 6.2-66.2, 6.2-17.5 and 3.5-16.8 micrograms/100 g respectively. The chromium values for the same ranged between 48.2-52.6, 31.0-45, 21.2-25.7, 23.7-62.8, 15.0-43.5, 20.4-65, 14.2-42.1, 14.25-46.7, 58.4-150 and 96-168 micrograms/100 g respectively. Thus dried fruits have the highest chromium content and pulses the highest selenium content.

Effect of heating and fortification with lysine on protein quality of minor millets.

The effect of heating and fortification with lysine on the protein quality of five minor millets namely Italian millet (S. Italica), French millet (Panicum miliaceum), Barnyard millet (Echinochloa colona), Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and Little millet (Panicum miliare) was carried out. The N content of the millets ranged from 1.69 to 2.76 per cent. Proximate composition and dietary fibre was estimated. A reduction of 19-25 in TD and increase of 4-18 in BV was observed on auto-claving and both the differences were significant (P less than 0.05) in all millets. However, heat processing did not have a pronounced effect on DE. Fortification with lysine at 0.6 g/100 DM increased both the BV and NPU. Although both heat processing and lysine fortification improved protein utilisation, the effect of fortification was comparatively more than heating.

Limiting amino acids in raw and processed amaranth grain protein from biological tests.

Amino acid supplementation studies with young rats were carried out using raw and processed amaranth grain (A. cruentus) of dark- and cream- or light-colored seeds. The results of various studies repeatedly indicated that threonine is the most limiting amino acid in raw and processed, dark and cream-colored grain. Protein quality as measured either as NPR or PER was improved by threonine addition alone or with other amino acids and decreased liver fat to values similar to those measured with casein. This finding contradicts the reports that state that leucine, determined by chemical score, is the most limiting amino acid. Leucine addition alone or with other amino acids did not improve protein quality. The study confirmed cream-colored grain to be nutritionally superior to dark grain and that properly processed grain, light- or dark-colored, has higher protein quality than raw grain.

The regional distribution of selenium in Greek cereals.

The selenium content of hard and soft wheat, barley, oats, rye and corn grown in approximately 100 different locations of Greece has been determined fluorimetrically. The mean values +/- SD for these cereal types were 0.29 +/- 0.19, 0.21 +/- 0.12, 0.16 +/- 0.10, 0.14 +/- 0.10, 0.19 +/- 0.10 and 0.12 +/- 0.08 ppm Se (dry weight basis), respectively. Based on data for selenium in corn from 96 different locations, a geobotanic map of Greece for the selenium in soil available for uptake by plants was prepared. Macedonia, West Epirus, south-east Thessaly, north-east Sterea Hellas and the Aegean Islands produce corn deficient or low in selenium, but only sporadic selenium-deficiency diseases in animals have been observed in many of these areas, probably because the farm animals are given mixed food or they are free to graze. No areas with toxic levels of selenium in soil were found.

Iron fortification of flour with a complex ferric orthophosphate.

The unexpectedly low bioavailability in humans of elemental iron powder prompted us to search for other Fe compounds suitable for Fe fortification of flour that fulfill the two requirements of insolubility in water (due to high water content of flour) and good bioavailability in humans. Systematic studies of compatibility, solubility, and bioavailability led to this study of a microcrystalline complex ferric orthophosphate (CFOP), Fe3H8(NH4)-(PO4)6.6H2O, a well-defined compound. This compound was labeled with 59Fe, and the native Fe in meals was labeled with 55FeCl3. The ratio of absorbed 59Fe to absorbed 55Fe is a direct measure of the fraction of CFOP that joins the nonheme Fe pool and that is made potentially available for absorption. The relative bioavailability of CFOP varied from 30% to 60% when labeled wheat rolls were served with different meals. The CFOP meets practical requirements of an Fe fortificant for flour well, with regard to both compatibility and bioavailability in humans.

Nutrient composition and protein quality of minor millets.

Nutrient composition of five minor millets produced and consumed in dry land regions and tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, India, was evaluated. The millets analysed were Italian millet (Setaria Italica), French millet (Panicum miliaceum), Barnyard millet (Echinachloa colona), Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and little millet (Panicum miliare). The nutrients analysed were proximate principles, amino acids, fibre components, calcium, Phosphorus and Iron. Protein and energy were evaluated by true digestability (TD), biological value (BV), net protein utilization (NPU) and digestible energy (DE) in rats. The protein content was higher and lysine content lower, when compared to major millets. Dehusked millets had lower total dietary fibre (TDF) and tannin. The TD of protein ranged between 95.0 to 99.3, whereas the BV was between 48.3 and 56.5. All the millets were poor sources of calcium, phosphorus and iron, with the exception of french millet.

Increased sarcolemmal membrane permeability of cardiac muscle cells in rats fed grains cultivated in a Keshan disease endemic area: a study with horseradish peroxidase as a tracer.

The alteration of sarcolemmal membrane permeability of cardiac muscle cells in rats fed grain from a Keshan disease (KD) endemic area was studied with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a tracer. Weanling male rats were divided at random into three groups and fed the following three diets, respectively, for 3 months: a diet with grain from a KD endemic area (Group A), a diet with grain from a KD nonendemic area (Group B), and standard laboratory chow (Group C). At the end of the experiment, HRP was injected intravenously and localized in the ventricular myocardium by light microscopy. The experimental results showed that the percentage of cardiac muscle cells containing HRP reaction product in rats fed grain from the KD endemic area was significantly greater than that in rats fed grain from nonendemic area and standard laboratory chow. This suggests that the sarcolemmal membrane permeability of cardiac muscle cells in rats of Group A was markedly increased. The distribution of cardiac muscle cells with increased sarcolemmal membrane permeability was similar to that seen in the myocardium of KD patients. The present study suggests that the abnormal membrane permeability of cardiac muscle cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of myocardial necrosis in KD.

Effect of fermentation on protein, fat, minerals and thiamine content of pearl millet.

Natural as well as single, mixed and sequential pure culture (S. diastaticus, S. cerevisiae, L. brevis and L. fermentum) fermentations of pearl millet flour for 72 h lowered pH and raised titratable acidity. The fermentation either decreased or did not change the protein content of pearl millet flour. Natural fermentation increased whereas pure culture fermentation decreased the fat content. Ash content did not change. Natural fermentation at 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C increased whereas at 30 degrees C it decreased the thiamine content of the pearl millet flour. Yeast fermentation raised the level of thiamine two- to three-fold, while lactobacilli fermentation lowered it significantly.

Fat and fatty acid contents of cereals and pulses and their relevance to Indian diets.

Invisible fat and fatty acid content of cereals and pulses were analysed by newer and more accurate methods. In all cereals (except ragi) and in all pulses (except black gram) linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) was the major fatty acid. On an average pulses contained more alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) than cereals. From data on dietary intakes of the rural population in India, the average per caput consumption of total invisible fat, 18:2 n-6 and 18:3 n-3 from cereals, pulses and milk was calculated. From the figures arrived at for 18:2 n-6 in cereals, pulses and milk and the FAO/WHO 1977 recommendations for 18:2 n-6 (3 per cent of energy), the vegetable oil requirement for different physiological groups has been computed. These calculations showed that the ratio of 18:2 n-6/18:3 n-3 with sources of oils other than rapseed was higher than the desirable ratio of 10. The current view of upper limits of energy from total fat is 30 per cent. Diets of high income groups provide 12 per cent of energy from invisible fat. To keep the calories from total fat below 30 per cent, visible fat intake in Indian diets should not exceed 18 per cent or 50 g/person/d.

Liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone in grains, oilseeds, and animal feeds by post-column derivatization and on-line sample cleanup.

A liquid chromatographic method using on-line sample cleanup, reverse flow analytical column loading, gradient elution, and postcolumn derivatization with iodine permits direct, rapid determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, as well as ochratoxin A and zearalenone. Limits of quantitation are 5 ppb for the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A and 30 ppb for zearalenone. This procedure performs well as a multimycotoxin screen for cereal grains and oilseeds, with more limited success in complete animal feeds.