Available carbohydrates of cereal grains as affected by storage and insect infestation

Total soluble sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and starch contents of wheat, maize and sorghum grains were affected adversely at 25, 50 and 75 percent insect infestation caused by Trogoderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius, separately and mixed population. R. dominica caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in available carbohydrates at 50 and 75 percent. Mixture of both insect species caused intermediate losses. Storage of cereal grains up to 4 months resulted in substantial increase in sugars and decrease in starch content, but storage for a shorter period of time did not cause any significant changes in levels of carbohydrates (Summary)

Efecto del proceso de extrusión del sorgo sobre el color de las harinas y tortillas a base de mezclas con harina de maíz / Effect of the extrusion process in the color of instant sorghum flours and its tortillas prepared with different levels of lime-treated corn flours

Fue estudiado el efecto del proceso de extrusión sobre el color de las harinas instántaneas de sorgo y sus respectivas tortillas elaboradas con diferentes niveles de substitución con harinas de maíz nixtamalizada. En el proceso de extrusión fueron utilizadas cuatro harinas obtenidas de dos genotipos de sorgo (integral y decorticado de cada genotipo). Estas harinas fueron procesadas en el extrusor de laboratorio Braberder GNF/2 de tornillo sin fin único. Para la elaboración de tortillas de sorgo y mezclas maíz-sorgo fueron seleccionadas 4 harinas del proceso de extrusión, 1) Cultivar CMSXS 9A: harina integral extrdida con 15% de humedad y con una velocidad de tornillo de 1.30 rpm y harina de sorgo decorticado con tamaños de particula menores de 0.420 mm extrudida con 15% de humedad y con una velocidad de tornillo de 1.30 rpm; 2) Cultivar CMSXS 145: harina integral extrudida con 18% de humedad y con una velocidad de tornillo de 170 epm y harina de sorgo decorticado extrudida con 15% de humedad y con una velocidad y con una de tornillo de 1.30 rpm. Las harinas instantáneas y tortillas obtenidas de sorgos decorticados (20%) presentaron colores más blancos (mayores valores de L) en relación con sus respectivas harinas integrales. La adición de niveles crecientes de harina de maíz nixtamalizada (10, 20, 30, 40 y 50%) a las harinas de sorgo instantáneas, mejoraron el color de las mezclas de harinas y su respectivas tortillas, principalmente en el caso de harinas integrales de sorgo. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron un cambio considerable en las características de color de las harinas, cuando fueron transformadas en tortillas, obteniéndose los mejores resultados con las tortillas elaboradas con harina de sorgo decorticado de ambos genotipos y en el caso de harinas integrales, las mezclas con harina de maíz mejoraron sensiblemente el color de las tortillas. Estos resultados indicaron que la separación de las capas externas del grano, posibilitó la obtención de tortillas con mejores características de color en relación a las tortillas elaboradas con harina de sorgo integral

Propiedades físicas, químicas y correlaciones de maíces híbridos precoces para valles altos / Physical and chemical properties and correlations of early corn kernels for high valleys

La evaluación de las propiedades físicas y químicas del grano de maíz permite caracterizar de manera integral las variedad4es experimentales que presentan buen rendimiento y características agronómicas favorables, los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: 1) clasificar 24 hibridos modernos de maíz tipo precoz; en base al tipo de endospermo y 2) determinar sus propiedades físico-químicas y su correlaciones. Los parámetros físicos fueron: peso hectolitrico (Peh), textura de endospermo (TE), índice de perlado (IP), peso de 1000 granos (P1000), reflectancia en el infrarrojo (NIR) y color (Ref), los químicos: proteína (Prt), lisina (Lis) y triptofano (trp). La clasificación en base al IP Permitió detectar 5 híbridos con endospermo suave, 12 intermedios y 7 duros. Los híbridos con endospermo duro presentaron el promedio Peh de 80.30 Kg/hl, Prt de 10.70%, Trip 0.082% y NIR de 0.35, que fueron estadísticamente mayores a aquellos de los híbridos con endospermo suave. El IP correlacionó negativamente con Prt. NIR y Peh y positivamente con Ref, lo cual significa que los maíces con endospermo suave o harinoso presentaron menor contenido de proteína, menor tamaño medio de partícula en la harina, mayor tamaño de grano y harina de color más claro. Se detectaron híbridos con rendimientos de 8.1 a 9.5 ton ha-1 con endospermo suave, intermedio o duro

Characterization of maize microtubule-associated proteins, one of which is immunologically related to tau.

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are identified as proteins that copurify with tubulin, promote tubulin assembly, and bind to microtubules in vitro. Higher plant MAPs remain mostly unknown. One example of non-tubulin carrot proteins, which bind to neural microtubules and induce bundling, has been reported so far [Cyr, R. J., & Palewitz, B. A. (1989) Planta 177, 245-260]. Using taxol, we developed an assay where higher plant microtubules were induced to self-assemble in cytosolic extracts of maize cultured cells and were used as the native matrix to isolate putative plant MAPs. Several polypeptides with an apparent molecular masses between 170 and 32 kDa copolymerized with maize microtubules. These putative maize MAPs also coassembled with pig brain tubulin through two cycles of temperature-dependent assembly-disassembly. They were able to initiate and promote MAP-free tubulin assembly under conditions of nonefficient self-assembly and induced bundling of both plant and neural microtubules. One of these proteins, of about 83 kDa, cross-reacted with affinity-purified antibodies against rat brain tau proteins, suggesting the presence of common epitope(s) between neural tau and maize proteins. This homology might concern the tubulin-binding domain, as plant and neural tubulins are highly conserved and the plant polypeptides coassembled with brain tubulin.

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.

Quantitative analysis of two-dimensional protein profiles of inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.).

Two-dimensional electrophoresis and fluorography of [35S]methionine labeled maize germinated embryo proteins were performed at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Fluorographs of 63 gels representing 37 inbred lines were subsequently scanned and spot-detected at Protein and DNA Imageware Systems (Huntington Station, NY). The digitized images were then matched with the aid of PDQUEST-II computer software. Over 1500 different protein spots were included in the resulting dataset. The optical density data were normalized to parts per million, then transformed to their natural logarithms. Analyses of variance were performed on each spot in order to select for further study those spots with most of their variation partitioned among inbred lines rather than within inbred lines. Using this method of spot selection, over 100 protein spots were included in the set of spots which display significant differences among inbred lines of maize.

[Non-volatile nitrosamines in some foods from Linxian County].

For the incidence of non-volatile nitrosamines in the staple foods and vegetables, corn, millet, turnip and turnip chips collected from Linxian County Henan Province, a high incidence area of esophageal cancer, were collected, analyzed and compared with the foods from Huairou County Beijing, a low risk area. Nitrososarcosine (NSAR), nitrosoproline (NPRO) and two unknown non-volatile compounds were found in the food samples from Linxian, and the levels of NSAR in corn ranged 0.7-1.1 ppb and in turnip chips ranged 20.5-962.5 ppb. NSAR level detected in corn samples from Huairou County was not significantly different from that of Linxian. The possibility that the high content of nitrosamines in turnip chips is due to microbial infections is discussed.

Selective determination of altertoxins by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection with dual "in-series" electrodes.

A selective method for the determination of altertoxin-I and altertoxin-II by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection is described. Altertoxins were separated on a reversed-phase column with methanol-water containing 0.1 M sodium nitrate and 1 mM nitric acid (60:40) as eluent and detected with dual in-series electrodes operating in the "redox" mode (generator electrode +1.0 V, indicator electrode -0.1 V). The method was applied successfully to the determination of sub-ppm levels of altertoxins in samples of maize, rice and tomatoes infected by Alternaria alternata.

Self-management of dietary compliance in coeliac disease by means of ELISA "home test" to detect gluten.

To improve compliance with a gluten-free diet in coeliac disease a simple prototype test kit was developed to detect gluten in foods for use at home. The test is based on monoclonal antibodies to heat-stable gluten proteins which crossreact appropriately with barley and rye proteins. It is suitable for use with a wide range of raw or cooked foods. The food is extracted with dilute hydrochloric acid and 1 drop of the extract transferred to an antibody-coated tube; enzyme-labelled gluten detection antibody is added and after 3 min the tube is washed and colour developer is added. The reaction is stopped after 2 min, stabilising the blue colour. The home kit was compared with a quantitative laboratory kit, and the qualitative agreement was very good. The kit could distinguish foods with trace gluten contents (acceptable for a "gluten-free" diet) from those with a slightly higher but unacceptable gluten content. In a trial of the prototype kit by 47 coeliac disease patients of diverse ages and educational backgrounds, 93% of tests correctly identified foods as acceptable or unacceptable.

Effects of base-soluble proteins and methanol-soluble polysaccharides from corn on mycelial growth of Aspergillus flavus.

The antifungal activity of base-soluble proteins (BSP) and methanol-soluble polysaccharides (PS) from A. flavus resistant (Yellow Creole) and susceptible (Huffman) genotypes of corn were investigated by in vitro studies. Bioassays of fungal growth inhibition in agar media showed antifungal activity by proteins and polysaccharides only from the Huffman genotype. Microgramme quantities of protein and polysaccharides were required to retard fungal growth. The polysaccharides have molecular weights greater than 3.5 kilodaltons. Cathodic PAGE of native protein from the two genotypes showed six protein bands with differences in staining intensity of individual components. SDS-PAGE showed four distinct bands in Yellow Creole that were absent in Huffman. Both of the protein samples contained traces of carbohydrate. Analysis of hydrolyzed polysaccharide from the two genotypes showed different proportions of mannose and glucose.

Agricultural practices affect arthritis.

It has been suggested that boron deficiency in food may be a cause of some arthritis (Newnham 1979). Epidemiological studies were done to try to ascertain why some countries have more or less arthritis than other countries. Jamaica, Mauritius, Fiji and Israel were visited with a view to ascertaining the boron levels of locally consumed food as it was suspected that excessive use of soluble chemical fertilizers had damaged the soils of the sugar producing lands. Food grown on these soils were found to have low boron levels. By contrast the foods consumed in Israel had high boron concentrations associated with a low incidence of arthritis. South African work has shown that people who eat mostly maize have more arthritis when eating processed maize grown with fertilizer. Brief reference is made to the role of boron in human diets. There are bound to be geographical differences in dietary boron, but even in the USA levels have dropped considerably in 50 years. Arthritis is increasing, especially juvenile arthritis. The increased use of fertilizers and genetic selection of plants has led to a wide range of changes in the quality of foodstuffs and their nutrient content. The identification of the parallel loss of boron may reflect vital changes in trace elements and other nutrients.

Immunoaffinity column coupled with solution fluorometry or liquid chromatography postcolumn derivatization for determination of aflatoxins in corn, peanuts, and peanut butter: collaborative study.

An AOAC/IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column for the determination of aflatoxin. The test portion is extracted with methanol-water (7 + 3), filtered, diluted to less than 30% methanol with water, and applied to the affinity column. The column is washed with water and the concentrated aflatoxins are eluted with methanol. Total aflatoxins are determined by solution fluorometry with bromine (SFB), and individual toxins are determined by reverse-phase liquid chromatography with postcolumn derivatization with iodine (PCD). Corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxins, and peanuts, peanut butter, and corn containing added aflatoxins (B1:B2:G1:G2 = 7:1:3:1) were sent to 24 collaborators in the United States, France, Canada, and the Republic of South Africa. Twelve collaborators used the SFB method, 9 used the PCD method, and 3 used both SFB and PCD methods. Twenty collaborators completed the study (10 used the SFB method, 7 used the PCD method, and 3 used both SFB and PCD methods). Test portions were spiked at 10, 20, and 30 ng/g. For SFB analyses, recoveries of total aflatoxins were 123, 105, and 107%, respectively; the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 11.75 to 16.57%, and the relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 10.97 to 33.09%. For PCD analyses, recoveries were 81, 81, and 83%, respectively; the RSDr ranged from 5.20 to 17.22%, and the RSDR ranged from 4.68 to 50.77%. The RSDr for aflatoxins B1 and G1 for spiked test portions ranged from 5.45 to 23.55%, and the RSDR ranged from 4.21 to 57.28%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Agricultural practices affect arthritis

It has been suggested that boron deficiency in food may be a cause of some arthritis (Newnham 1979). Epidemiological studies were done to try to ascertain why some countries have more or less arthritis than other countries. Jamaica, Mauritius, Fiji and Israel were visited with a view to ascertaining the boron levels of locally consumed food as it was suspected that excessive use of soluble chemical fertilizers had damaged the soils of the sugar producing lands. Food grown on these soils were found to have low boron level. By contrast the food consumed in Isreal had high boron concentrations associated with a low incidence of arthritis. South African work has shown that people who eat mostly maize have more arthritis when eating processed maize grown with fertilizer. Brief references is made to the role of boron in human diets. There are bound to be geographical differences in dietary boron, but even in the USA levels have dropped considerably in 50 years. Arthritis is increasing, especially juvenile arthritis. The increased use of fertilizers and genetic selection of plants has led to a wide range of changes in the quality of foodstuffs and their nutrient content. The identification of the parallel loss of boron may reflect vital changes in trace elements and other nutrients (AU)

Structural and geometrical isomers of carotenoids in human plasma.

We have quantitatively analyzed human plasma for the following carotenoids: all-trans-lutein, all-trans-zeaxanthin, alpha-cryptoxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, the sum of all-trans-lycopene and its cis isomers, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. In addition, we have tentatively identified and quantified 13-cis-lutein and 13-cis-zeaxanthin in human plasma. The latter two cis isomers are also apparent in samples of two common food items, spinach and corn meal. We have analyzed the ratios of all of the members of the beta, beta family of carotenoids (zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene) to their corresponding beta, epsilon structural isomers (lutein, alpha-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene) in human plasma. There are marked differences in these ratios, with beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin predominating in the carotene and monohydroxy-xanthophyll classes and lutein predominating in the dihydroxy-xanthophyll class. These differences could be attributable to dietary intake or to specific mechanisms in the way humans absorb and utilize these compounds.

Biological and chemical characterization of metabolites of Fusarium moniliforme isolates.

Metabolites of fusarium moniliforme isolates from different types of corn were characterized biologically and chemically. The biological assays included rat feeding, rat dermal tests and inoculation of embryonated eggs. Thin-layer chromatography, gas liquid chromatography, and mass spectrophotometry were used to isolate and determine their chemical identities. The metabolites were identified as diacetoxyscripenol, ipomeanol, ipomeanine and diplodiatoxin. The biological tests revealed significant weight loss in rats fed the contaminated corn for 5 w. Hemorrhages and edema in the brain and intestine were detected in all the groups of rats.

Análisis bacteriologico de helados, queso y empanadas de venta ambulante / Bacteriological analysis of ice cream, cheeses, small meat and cheese pies bought at street sellings (peddlings)

Se analizó la presencia de coliformes totales, coliformes fecales, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp y Shigella sp en 150 muestras de comida vendida en la calle: 50 helados caseros, 50 quesos no pasteurizados, y 50 empanadas, todo comprado en sitios y fechas diferentes en San José, Costa Rica, durante el período de enero a julio de 1990. Se utilizó la técnica del Número Más Probable y los métodos cualitativos de aislamiento recomendados por "Bacteriological Analytical Manual", 1974. Los resultados muestran una alta prevalencia de coliformes totales, coliformes fecales, Escherichia coli y Staphylococcus aureaus en los helados caseros y los quesos no pasteurizados. En las empanadas no se aisló alguna de estas bacterias, probablemente debido al proceso término que llevan en su fabricación. No se aisló. Salmonella ni Shigella

Starch peritonitis. A case report and clinicopathologic review.

A case of starch peritonitis is presented with a review of the history of this continuing problem. The syndrome's presentation, diagnosis, histopathology and treatment are discussed. The rarity of starch peritonitis today may be due to more attention to glove washing by surgeons, fewer impurities in the glove powder or lack of recognition of the syndrome. In order to prevent a resurgence of the starch peritonitis syndrome we must continue to emphasize the importance of washing gloves, maintain the quality control and purity of the powder used, and be cognizant of the signs and symptoms so that such cases may be managed nonoperatively.

An immunodominant site of gamma-zein1 is in the region of tandem hexapeptide repeats.

The immunochemical data from studies with polyclonal antisera to gamma-zein1, the 27 kD component of the maize prolamin, indicated that the region containing 8 tandem repeats of the sequence PPPVHL is an immunodominant site. In one case, the entire antibody repertoire of an antiserum recognized epitope(s) within this region. Three 17-mer oligopeptides corresponding to the predicted antigenic epitopes of gamma-zein1 were synthesized and reacted with three different anti-gamma-zein1 sera in order to map antigenic sites in the intact protein. These antisera yielded positive reactions with a 17-mer peptide (peptide 37), which was not in a hydrophilic maximum but derived from the repeat region. The same antisera gave little or no reaction with other peptides (peptides 38 and 39), both of which were in a hydrophilic maximum. In addition, an antiserum to peptide 37 reacted strongly with both the homologous antigen and the intact gamma-zein1. Peptide 37 also blocked the binding of antisera to gamma-zein1 in competition assays. Subsequently, the shorter 6-mer (peptide 82) and 12-mer (peptide 80) versions of peptide 37 were synthesized, and both reacted with anti-peptide 37 serum and also with each of the three anti-gamma-zein1 sera. In these reactions and in competition assays, the reactivity and the blocking ability increased in proportion to the length of the peptide. Based on these data, it was concluded that the repeat region of gamma-zein1 is the site of one or more continuous immunodominant epitopes. The data also suggest that the repeat region is exposed on the surface of the folded protein and probably occur as a mobile, random coil.

Comparative evaluation of commercially available aflatoxin test methods.

Five qualitative methods and 1 quantitative aflatoxin analytical method were compared with the Holaday-Velasco (HV) minicolumn and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) methods for corn in an evaluation involving 4 U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Grain Inspection Service (USDA-FGIS) laboratories, 1 laboratory at the University of Georgia, and 1 laboratory at the University of Arizona. Samples analyzed included 1 set of artificially contaminated corn containing both aflatoxin B1 and B2 (ratio of B1:B2 of 92:8), 1 set of artificially contaminated corn containing only aflatoxin B1, and 1 set of naturally contaminated corn. Levels of total aflatoxin tested were 0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 ppb. Results of analysis of these samples with each method evaluated are reported. Chi-square analyses indicated that performance of the Afla-20-Cup, Aflatest, EZ-Screen, OXOID, and SAM-A methods was not statistically different from that of the HV minicolumn. Agri-Screen results were not statistically different from those obtained with TLC.

Comparison of postcolumn derivatization-liquid chromatography with thin-layer chromatography for determination of aflatoxins in naturally contaminated corn.

Quantitation of aflatoxins by liquid chromatography with postcolumn iodine derivatization (LC-PCD) and fluorescence detection was compared with quantitation by the AOAC CB method, 968.22. Thirty-seven naturally contaminated corn samples were ground and then divided. One portion was extracted, and the extract was cleaned up and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography according to the CB method. The second portion was extracted and cleaned up in a similar fashion, but quantitation was by the LC-PCD method. For aflatoxin B1 concentrations ranging from 0 to 150 ng/g, results obtained by the 2 methods were fitted to a linear equation with the LC-PCD results as the dependent variable. The correlation coefficient was 0.99, the intercept was near 0, and the slope was near 1. For aflatoxin B2, the correlation coefficient was 0.97, and the intercept was near 0. However, the slope of the equation relating LC-PCD concentration to TLC concentration was only 0.5. We believe that this lack of equivalence between the methods for determination of aflatoxin B2 is due to overestimation by the TLC method because the low levels present are near the TLC detection limit for B2.