Soybeans

The crude methanolic extract of Zuccagnia punctata was active toward the fungal pathogens of soybean Phomopsis longicolla and Colletotrichum truncatum. Assay guided fractionation led to the isolation of two chalcones, one flavanone and a new caffeoyl ester derivative as the compounds responsible for the antifungal activity. Another new caffeoyl ester derivative was isolated from the antifungal chloroform extract but proved to be inactive against the soybean infecting fungi up to 50 µg/mL

The isoflavone content and profile in processed soy-based products consumed in Brazil were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection of the intact isoflavones (naturally occurring aglycons, malonyl, acetyl, and-glycosides derivatives). Total isoflavone content varied significantly among products, from 2 to 100 mg/100 g (wet basis, expressed as aglycons), with the lowest content being found for soy-based enteral/oral diets and the highest found for textured soy proteins. For soy beverages isoflavone content varied from 12 to 83 mg/L. Soy sauce, miso, and tofu had isoflavone contents of 5.7 mg/L, 20 mg/100 g, and 7 mg/100 g, respectively. The-glycosides were the predominant form of the isoflavones in the products analyzed, except for miso, shoyu, and "Diet Shake" in which the aglycons were present in the highest proportions. On the basis of these data, the daily intake of isoflavone from soy products was estimated: the highest values were found for infants fed soy-based formulas, from 1.6 to 6.6 mg/kg of body weight.

The effects on performance, digestibility, N utilization and plasma amino acid concentrations of dietary chickpea (Cicer arietinum, var. Kabuli) seed meal, globulin proteins or buffer-insoluble residue (starch / non-starch polysaccharides (NSP)/ lignin) were studied in growing rats. Chickpea meal, defatted soybean meal, chickpea globulins and lactalbumin were each incorporated into diets as the sole source of dietary protein (100 g/kg).

In vitro experiments are reported showing that NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase (QR), purified from Glycine max seedlings, reduces Leu- and Met-enkephalin-tyrosinase oxidation products, in the presence of NADH or NADPH. QR was not capable to catalyze the reduction of N-acetyl-dopaquinone formed by the cation of mushroom tyrosinase on N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, while it was able to reduce dopachrome. The results support the hypothesis that QR can inhibit the formation of melanin-like compounds, as catalyzed by the action of tyrosinase on Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin. It is proposed that, in the presence of NAD(P)H as the electron donor, the inhibition occurs by the specific conversion of the dopachrome-derivative into the reduced precursor, leucodopachrome-derivative.

The biochemical basis of heat/drought tolerance was investigated by comparing the response of antisense and sense transgenic soybean plants (containing the L-D 1pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase gene) with non-transgenic wild-type plants. The plants were subjected to a simultaneous drought and heat stress of 2 days, whereafter they were rewatered at 251C. During this time the sense plants only showed mild symptoms of stress compared to the antisense plants which were severely stressed. Upon stress, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP þ) levels decreased in antisense while it increased in sense plants. Recovery with respect to NADP þ levels was best in sense plants. Sense plants had the highest ability to accumulate proline

A granulovirus (GV) isolated from Epinotia aporema (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)—a major soybean pest—was studied in terms of its main morphological, biochemical, and biological properties. The ovoidal occlusion bodies were 466 by 296 nm in size, and their most prominent protein had an apparent molecular mass of 29 kDa. Its amino-terminal sequence was remarkably homologous to that of the granulins of other GVs. The DNA genome size was estimated to be 120 kbp. The high specificity and pathogenicity of this newly described granulovirus (EpapGV) indicate that it is indeed a good candidate for the biological control of this pest.

Seven patients with radiolucent stones in the gallbladder and two patients with radiolucent stones in the biliary tree were treated with oral cholic acid and purified soya-bean lecithin for 6 months. In two patients the stones disappeared and in one patient the stones were reduced in size. In five patients fasting bile samples were obtained before and during treatment and assayed for cholesterol, bile acid, and phospholipid. In all five patients the lithogenic index of bile was reduced during treatment. The biliary deoxycholic acid concentration was increased and chenodeoxycholic acid concentration decreased during treatment.

The objectives of this study are to systematically assess the bioactive substances and overall antioxidant capacities of commercially fermented soy products and to find the relationships between the presence of beneficial components in different types of soybean fermented products. The results show that phenolic profiles increased significantly after fermentation as compared with raw yellow soybeans. Among all the samples, the douchi and fermented black bean sauce had the highest detected antioxidant profiles. Even though the total isoflavone content was reduced in fermented soybean products (794.84 lg/g on average) as compared with raw yellow soybeans (3477.6 lg/g), there was an obvious trend of conversion of the glucoside form in raw soybeans into the aglycone-form isoflavones in the fermented soybean products. The highest daidzein and genistein values were found in the ''Yangfan'' black bean douchi, i.e. 860.3 lg/g and 1025.9 lg/g, respectively. The amounts of essential amino acids also were improved in most fermented soybean products. The douchi and black bean fermented products are recommended for consumption due to their abundant bioactive substances.

The Hsp20 genes are associated with stress caused by HS and other abiotic factors, but have recently been found to be associated with the response to biotic stresses. These genes represent the most abundant class among the HSPs in plants, but little is known about this gene family in soybean. Because of their apparent multifunctionality, these proteins are promising targets for developing crop varieties that are better adapted to biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, in the present study an in silico identification of GmHsp20 gene family members was performed, and the genes were characterized and subjected to in vivo expression analysis under biotic and abiotic stresses. A search of the available soybean genome databases revealed 51 gene models as potential GmHsp20 candidates. The 51 GmHsp20 genes were distributed across a total of 15 subfamilies where a specific predicted secondary structure was identified. Based on in vivo analysis, only 47 soybean Hsp20 genes were responsive to heat...

The newly developed cultivars of soybean in Africa, known as Tropical Glycine cross (TGx), are nodulated by bradyrhizobia indigenous to African soils, here designated Bradyrhizobium spp. (TGx). Isolates of Bradyrhizobium spp. (TGx) obtained from nodules of TGx soybeans that were inoculated with soils from 65 locations in six African countries were characterized and grouped into 11 phylogenetic clusters on the basis of RFLP of the 16S rRNA gene. Five restriction enzymes (RsaI, HinfI, MspI, CfoI and HaeIII) established RFLP groups within these Bradyrhizobium spp. (TGx) isolates, which were used to construct a phylogenetic tree showing their genetic relationship with other Bradyrhizobium species. RFLP analysis indicated that Bradyrhizobium spp. (TGx) is a heterogeneous group with some isolates related to Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii strains and some to Bradyrhizobium spp. (misc.) reference strains isolated from a variety of tropical legumes. The heterogeneity within the large phylogenetic clusters was further examined through analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using GCrich PCR primers. The RAPD analysis showed additional heterogeneity in the Bradyrhizobium spp. (TGx) phylogenetic clusters, which was not revealed by separations based on RFLP analysis. The Bradyrhizobium spp. (TGx) isolates were classified into effective and ineffective types based on their symbiotic performance on TGx soybean. The isolates were randomly distributed throughout the phylogenetic clusters regardless of their symbiotic effectiveness on TGx soybean.

We sought to determine the genetic basis of expression of the ubiquitous (metabolic) urease of soybean. This isozyme is termed the metabolic urease because its loss, in eu4/eu4 mutants, leads to accumulation of urea, whereas loss of the embryo-specific urease isozyme does not. The eu4 lesion eliminated the expression of the ubiquitous urease in vegetative and embryonic tissues. RFLP analysis placed urease clone LC4 near, or within, the Eu4 locus. Sequence comparison of urease proteins (ubiquitous and embryo-specific) and clones (LC4 and LSl) indicated that LC4 and LS1 encode ubiquitous and embryo-specific ureases, respectively. That LC4 is transcribed into poly(A) + RNA in all tissues was indicated by the amplification of its transcript by an LC4-specific PCR primer. (The LSl-specific primer, on the other hand, amplified poly(A) + RNA only from developing embryos expressing the embryo-specific urease.) These observations are consistent with Eu4 being the ubiquitous urease structural gene contained in the LC4 clone. In agreement with this notion, the mutant phenotype of eu4/eu4 callus was partially corrected by the LC4 urease gene introduced by particle bombardment.

Drawing on oral histories with farmers, this paper offers a transnational approach to agricultural history exploring the changing meanings dairy and soybean production among Mexican Mennonite colonists in the frontier department of Santa Cruz in Bolivia's eastern lowlands.

Biodiesel is one of the most promising alternative diesel fuels. As diesel emission regulations have become more stringent, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) has become an essential part of the aftertreatment system. Knowledge of kinetics of exhaust particle oxidation for alternative diesel fuels is useful in estimating the change in regeneration behavior of a DPF with such fuels. This study examines the characteristics of diesel particulate emissions as well as kinetics of particle oxidation using a 1996 John Deere T04045TF250 off-highway engine and 100% soy methyl ester (SME) biodiesel (B100) as fuel. Compared to standard D2 fuel, this B100 reduced particle size, number, and volume in the accumulation mode where most of the particle mass is found. At 75% load, number decreased by 38%, DGN decreased from 80 to 62 nm, and volume decreased by 82%. Part of this decrease is likely associated with the fact that the particles were more easily oxidized. Arrhenius parameters for the biodiesel fuel showed a 2-3 times greater frequency factor and ∼6 times higher oxidation rate compared to regular diesel fuel in the range of 700-825°C

A close correlation exists between ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced insult and the release of free radicals. Lecithin is a polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine that corresponds to the phosphatidylcholine molecule. Phosphatidylcholines are high-energy functional and structural elements of all biologic membranes. ␣-Tocopherol is the major lipidsoluble chain-breaking antioxidant in the body tissues and effectively protects against neuronal damage. Therefore, we studied the effect of lecithin (300 mg/kg, p.o., 14 days) and ␣-tocopherol (200 mg/kg, p.o., 14 days), alone or in combination, on the brain redox state during I/R. Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to global ischemia by the occlusion of the two carotid arteries 24 h after the last dose of drug administration. Reperfusion was carried out 1 h after induction of ischemia and lasted for another hour. Brain lipid peroxides (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) contents, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were assessed. The results showed that I/R elevated brain lipid peroxides content which was accompanied by a reduction in both antioxidant enzyme activities, however, brain GSH level remained unaltered. Lecithin, ␣-tocopherol and their combination restored MDA content, as well as CAT activity with a slight tendency to normalize SOD activity. We conclude that lecithin has a possible neuroprotective effect partly through its antioxidant action which is comparable to that of ␣-tocopherol. C

Objective. To evaluate the structural effect of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. Methods. Patients with regular painful primary OA of the hip (European League Against Rheumatism 1980 criteria) and a joint space still > 1 mm (Kellgren grade 1 to 3, assessed by an independent observer prior to inclusion) entered a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 2 years duration. Patients had at least a 6-month history of regular pain and an algofunctional index (AFI) > 4. The primary assessment criterion was a decrease of the joint space width (JSW) on plain anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis performed in standing position, measured at the narrowest points by 2 independent readers, previously tested and selected and blinded to both the treatment and the time sequence. Secondary criteria were standard clinical outcome measurements (AFI, pain on a visual analog scale, consumption of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and patient's and investigator's global assessments). Results. One hundred sixty-three patients were included: 102 men and 61 women (mean age 63.2 ؎ 8.7 years). A total of 108 patients (72 men and 36 women; mean age 64 ؎ 7.9 years) were radiologically evaluable at 23.7 ؎ 2.6 months (ASU group; n ‫؍‬ 55) and 23.7 ؎ 3.2 months (placebo group; n ‫؍‬ 53). Overall comparison of the evolution of JSW showed no difference between the ASU and placebo groups, from 2.35 ؎ 0.93 to 1.87 ؎ 1.10 mm and from 2.5 ؎ 0.94 to 1.9 ؎ 1.33 mm, respectively (intergroup P value at end point ‫؍‬ 0.9). When patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to the median value of the baseline JSW (2.45 mm), the joint space loss in the most severely affected subgroup of patients (baseline JSW < median) was significantly greater in the placebo group than in the ASU group: from 1.69 ؎ 0.58 to 0.84 ؎ 0.77 mm (؊0.86 ؎ 0.62 mm) and from 1.66 ؎ 0.42 to 1.22 ؎ 0.7 mm (؊0.43 ؎ 0.51 mm), respectively (P < 0.01). The JSW decrease was identical, with no difference in ASU and placebo groups, in the less severely affected subgroup of patients (baseline JSW > median). Clinical parameters in the 2 groups did not differ significantly throughout the study. Conclusion. This pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial failed to demonstrate a structural effect of ASU in hip OA. However, in a post-hoc analysis, ASU significantly reduced the progression of joint space loss as compared with placebo in the subgroup of patients with advanced joint space narrowing. These results suggest that ASU could have a structural effect but require confirmation in a larger placebo-controlled study in hip OA.

The possible transfer and accumulation of novel DNA and/or proteins in food for human consumption derived from animals receiving genetically modified (GM) feed is at present the object of scientific dispute. A number of studies failed to identify GM DNA in milk, meat, or eggs derived from livestock receiving GM feed ingredients. The present study was performed in order to: (i) develop a valid protocol by PCR and multicomponent analysis for the detection of specific DNA sequences in milk, focused on GM maize and GM soybean; (ii) assess the stability of transgenic DNA after pasteurization treatment and (iii) determine the presence of GM DNA sequences in milk samples collected from the Italian market. Results from the screening of 60 samples of 12 different milk brands demonstrated the presence of GM maize sequences in 15 (25%) and of GM soybean sequences in 7 samples (11.7%). Our screening methodology shows a very high sensitivity and the use of an automatic identification of the amplified products increases its specificity and reliability. Moreover, we demonstrated that the pasteurization process is not able to degrade the DNA sequences in spiked milk samples. The detection of GM DNA in milk can be interpreted as an indicator of fecal or airborne contamination, respectively, with feed DNA or feed particles, although an alternative source of contamination, possibly recognizable in the natural environment can be suggested. Further studies, performed on a larger number of milk samples, are needed to understand the likely source of contamination of milk collected from the Italian market.

This paper reports the development of natural cellulose technical fibers from soybean straw with properties similar to the natural cellulose fibers in current use. About 220 million tons of soybean straw available in the world every year could complement the byproducts of other major food crops as inexpensive, abundant and annually renewable sources for natural cellulose fibers. Using the agricultural byproducts as sources for fibers could help to address the concerns on the future price and availability of both the natural and synthetic fibers in current use and also help to add value to the food crops. A simple alkaline extraction was used to obtain technical fibers from soybean straw and the composition, structure and properties of the fibers was studied. Technical fibers obtained from soybean straw have high cellulose content (85%) but low% crystallinity (47%). The technical fibers have breaking tenacity (2.7 g/den) and breaking elongation (3.9%) higher than those of fibers obtained from wheat straw and sorghum stalk and leaves but lower than that of cotton. Overall, the structure and properties of the technical fibers obtained from soybean straw indicates that the fibers could be suitable for use in textile, composite and other industrial applications.

Soybeans soaked in tap water for 24 to 36 h at 20, 30 or 37 °C underwent a natural fermentation that was characterized by the growth of microorganisms to 10 s 10 l° cfu/ml (depending on temperature) and a reduction of pH from 6.5 to 4.5. Lactobacillus casei. Streptococcus faecium, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae dominated the fermentation but, significant contributions were also made by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella ozaenae, Enterobacter cloacae. Enterobacter agglomerans, Citrobacter diversus and Bacillus breuis, and the yeasts Pichia burtonii, Candida diddensiae and Rhodotorula rubra. Fermentation of surface-decontaminated beans in sterile water with pure cultures of these isolates showed L. casei, Strep. faecium and Staph. epidermidis to be the main species responsible for the pH reduction. Soybeans were the main source of microorganisms for the fermentation. Boiled beans did not undergo an acid fermentation.

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a group of enzymes involved in the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Among these 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is the key enzyme leading to the formation of pharmacologically important leukotrienes and lipoxins, the mediators of inflammatory and allergic disorders. In view of close functional similarity to mammalian lipoxygenase, potato 5-LOX is used extensively. In this study, the homology modeling technique has been used to construct the structure of potato 5-LOX. The amino acid sequence identity between the target protein and sequence of template protein 1NO3 (soybean LOX-3) searched from NCBI protein BLAST was 63%. Based on the template structure, the protein model was constructed by using the Homology program in InsightII. The protein model was briefly refined by energy minimization steps and validated using Profile-3D, ERRAT and PROCHECK. The results showed that 99.3% of the amino acids were in allowed regions of Ramachandran plot, suggesting that the model is accurate and its stereochemical quality good. Like all LOXs, 5-LOX also has a two-domain structure, the small N-terminal b-barrel domain and a larger catalytic domain containing a single atom of non-heme iron coordinating with His525, His530, His716 and Ile864. Asn720 is present in the fifth coordination position of iron. The sixth coordination position faces the open cavity occupied here by the ligands which are docked. Our model of the enzyme is further validated by examining the interactions of earlier reported inhibitors and by energy minimization studies which were carried out using molecular mechanics calculations. Four ligands, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) having IC 50 of 1.5 lM and analogs of benzyl propargyl ethers having IC 50 values of 760 lM, 45 lM, and no inhibition respectively were selected for our docking and energy minimization studies. Our results correlated well with the experimental data reported earlier, which proved the quality of the model. This model generated can be further used for the design and development of more potent 5-LOX inhibitors.

The efficiency of hybridization analysis with oligonucleotide microarrays depends heavily on the method of detection. Conventional methods based on labeling nucleic acids with fluorescent, chemiluminescent, enzyme, or radioactive reporters suffer from a number of serious drawbacks which demand development of new detection techniques. Here, we report two new approaches for detection of hybridization with oligonucleotide microarrays employing magnetic beads as active labels. In the first method streptavidin-coated magnetic beads are used to discover biotin-labeled DNA molecules hybridized with arrayed oligonucleotide probes. In the second method biotin-labeled DNA molecules are bound first to the surface of magnetic beads and then hybridized with arrayed complementary strands on bead-array contacts. Using a simple low-power microscope with a dark-field illumination and a pair of complementary primers as a model hybridization system we evaluated sensitivity, speed, and cost of the new detection method and compared its performance with the detection techniques employing enzyme and fluorescent labels. It was shown that the detection of microarrayhybridized DNA with magnetic beads combines low cost with high speed and enhanced assay sensitivity, opening a new way to routine hybridization assays which do not require precise measurements of DNA concentration.

A total of 28 adult V-line rabbits were fed ad libitum a control diet or a diet supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% soybean lecithin (SL) for 12 weeks. Bucks that received 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% dietary SL had a higher ejaculate volume, mass motility, sperm concentration, total sperm output and total motile sperm. Dietary SL reduced the percentage of dead sperm and increased the normal sperm, and this concurred with an increase in blood testosterone concentration. Blood and seminal plasma total lipid, acid phosphatase and seminal plasma alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased because of inclusion of SL. Interestingly, SL reduced blood and seminal plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances while increasing blood and seminal plasma glutathione content, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. Conception rate and litter size at birth and weaning were also significantly improved. Practically, it could be suggested that SL is a suitable supplement for improving semen quality, antioxidant status, reproductive traits and the economic efficiency of V-line rabbit bucks and 1% is an adequate concentration.

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) protein and oil qualities, with respect to monogastric nutrition, have been linked to the relative abundance of specific protein subunits and fatty acids, respectively. An analysis of field-grown soybean seeds by near-infrared ...

Soybean meal (SBM) is an important protein source in animal feed. However, the levels of SBM inclusion are restricted in some animal species by the presence of antinutritional factors (ANFs), including non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and agalactosides (GOSs). The aim of this study was to reduce the soybean meal NSPs and GOSs by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using a combination of cellulolytic bacteria isolated from different environments (termites, earthworms, corn silage and bovine ruminal content). To analyse the key enzymatic activities, the isolates were grown in minimal media containing NSPs extracted from SBM. The selected bacterial strains belonged to the genera Streptomyces, Cohnella and Cellulosimicrobium. SSF resulted in a reduction of nearly 24% in the total NSPs, 83% of stachyose and 69% of raffinose and an increase in the protein content. These results suggest that cellulolytic bacteria-based SSF processing facilitates SBM nutritional improvement. In addition, the use of fermented SBM in animal diets can be recommended.

The synthesis of commercial EDDHA produces o,o-EDDHA as the main reaction product, together with a mixture of regioisomers (o,p-EDDHA and p,p-EDDHA) and other unknown byproducts also able to complex Fe 3+ . These compounds have been obtained by direct synthesis, and their structures have been determined by ESI-MS analysis as oligomeric EDDHA-like products, formed by polysubstitution in the phenolic rings. Short-term experiments show that the iron complexes of samples enriched in these oligomeric byproducts have adequate stability in solution, but a significant amount of them is lost after interaction with soils and soil materials. Mildly chlorotic cucumber plants are able to reduce iron better from o,p-EDDHA/Fe 3+ than from the iron complexes of the oligomeric byproducts. In hydroponics, the chlorotic soybean susceptible plants have a lower potential for Fe absorption from these byproducts than from o,o-EDDHA/Fe 3+ and from o,p-EDDHA/Fe 3+ . In the studied conditions, the iron chelates of EDDHA byproducts do not have the long-lasting effect shown by o,o-EDDHA/Fe 3+ and present a less efficient fast-action effect than the o,p-EDDHA/Fe 3+ .

New value-added product was derived from agricultural by-products: rice bran and soybean meal by means of subcritical water (SW) hydrolysis. The effect of temperature (200-220°C), reaction time (10-30 min), raw material-to-water weight ratio (1:5 and 2:5), was determined on the yields of protein, total amino acids, and reducing sugars in the soluble products. The suitable hydrolysis time was 30 min and the proper weight ratio of the raw material-to-water was 1:5. The reaction temperature suitable for the production of protein and amino acids was 220°C for raw and deoiled rice bran, 210°C for raw soybean meal, and 200°C for deoiled soybean meal. The products were also found to have antioxidant activity as tested by ABTS Å+ scavenging assay. In addition, sensory evaluation of milk added with the hydrolysis product of deoiled rice bran indicated the potential use of the product as a nutritious drink.

The protein quality of 11 null and 2 tofu soybean genotypes were determined from their total protein content, their amino acid composition, and their glycinin and b-conglycinin contents. There were highly significant differences (P < 0.001) in their total storage proteins, and amino acid contents. Total protein among these genotypes ranged from 33 to 37%, with arginine being the third highest amino acid (7.4-10.9 g/100 g protein) followed by glutamic and aspartic acids. Methionine accounted for only 1.6-2.4 g/ 100 g of protein. All genotypes contained a good balance of essential amino acids (EAA 9 ), ranging from 43.5 to 47.3% of the total protein, limited only in methionine and possibly threonine and valine. Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic (2-DE) reference maps, using narrow range immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips, revealed unique differences in the proteome, and subunit expression of glycinin and b-conglycinin, among these null genotypes, which can then be correlated with their protein quality. Out of a total of 111 basic (pH 6-11), and 223 acidic (pH 4-7) protein spots separated by 2-DE, 41 soybean storage protein spots were excised, and identified by liquid chromatography on-line with electro spray LCQ DecaXP tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). These methods will enable accurate evaluation of protein quality in soybeans, based on their protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score, assessment of the genetic variability of soybean genotypes, and serve as very effective tools for assisting plant breeders in their selection of high quality soybean varieties.

Adjusting the pH of the dilute tris(hydroxymethy1)aminomethane buffer extract of defatted soybean meal to 6.6 causes precipitation of the 11s globulin. Factors affecting the precipitation (namely, pH, Tris concentration, protein concentration, and ionic strength) were investigated in order to determine the optimum condition for simultaneous fractionation of the 7 s and 11s globulins. It was found that the two globulins could be fractionated by their different solubilities in dilute Tris buffers. Protein concentration and NaCl (up to 0.04 M) had no noticeable effects on the separation of the two globulins. These results led to a simple, large-scale method for fractionation of the two globulins and whey proteins. Defatted soybean meal was extracted with 0.03 M Tris-HC1 buffer (pH 8.0). The 11s globulin was precipitated at pH 6.4. The 7 s globulin was separated from whey proteins by isoelectric precipitation at pH 4.8. Ultracentrifugal analyses, disc electrophoresis, and immunodiffusion indicated very little cross-contamination between the prepared fractions.

Microfiltration (MF) membranes with pore sizes of 200 and 450 nm and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with molecular weight cut off of 50, 100, and 500 kDa were assessed for their ability to eliminate nonprotein substances from okara protein extract in a laboratory cross-flow membrane system. Both MF and UF improved the protein content of okara extract to a similar extent from approximately 68% to approximately 81% owing to the presence of protein in the feed leading to the formation of dynamic layer controlling the performance rather than the actual pore size of membranes. Although normalized flux in MF-450 (117 LMH/MPa) was close to UF-500 (118 LMH/MPa), the latter was selected based on higher average flux (47 LMH) offering the advantage of reduced processing time. Membrane processing of soy extract improved the protein content from 62% to 85% much closer to the target value. However, the final protein content in okara (approximately 80%) did not reach the target value (90%) owing to the greater presence of soluble fibers that were retained by the membrane. Solubility curve of membrane okara protein concentrate (MOPC) showed lower solubility than soy protein concentrate and a commercial isolate in the entire pH range. However, water absorption and fat-binding capacities of MOPC were either superior or comparable while emulsifying properties were in accordance with its solubility. The results of this study showed that okara protein concentrate (80%) could be produced using membrane technology without loss of any true proteins, thus offering value addition to okara, hitherto underutilized.

Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) is commonly known as edible fig. The leaves, roots, fruits and latex of the plant are medicinally used in different diseases. The leaves are claimed to be effective in various inflammatory conditions like painful or swollen piles, insect sting and bites. However, there has been no report on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of F. carica leaves. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of F. carica leaves. Our study validated the traditional claim with pharmacological data. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the drug could be due to the presence of steroids and flavanoids, respectively, which are reported to be present in the drug. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug could be due to its free radical scavenging activity. Further work is also required to isolate and characterise the active constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities.

A preliminary evaluation of the feasibility of producing biodiesel using oil extracted from defective coffee beans was conducted as an alternative means of utilizing these beans instead of roasting for consumption of beverage with depreciated quality. Direct transesterifications of triglycerides from refined soybean oil (reference) and from oils extracted from healthy and defective coffee beans were performed. Type of alcohol employed and time were the reaction parameters studied. Sodium methoxide was used as alkaline catalyst. There was optimal phase separation after reactions using both soybean and healthy coffee beans oils when methanol was used. This was not observed when using the oil from defective beans which required further processing to obtain purified alkyl esters. Nevertheless, coffee oil was demonstrated to be a potential feedstock for biodiesel production, both from healthy and defective beans, since the corresponding oils were successfully converted to fatty acid methyl and ethyl esters.

We investigated the effects of long-term miso soup drinking on salt-induced hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats. Dahl S rats were divided into four groups that consumed 1) water, 2) a 0.9% NaCl solution, 3) a 1.3% sodium NaCl solution, or 4) miso soup containing 1.3% NaCl. They were followed for 8 wk. Systolic blood pressure and hypertensive organ damage were determined. Systolic blood pressure increased in an age- and dose-dependent manner in Dahl S rats drinking salt solutions. The systolic blood pressure increase was significantly less in the Dahl S rats that drank miso soup, although the ultimate cumulative salt loading was greater than that in the Dahl S rats given the 1.3% NaCl solution. This blood pressure decrease was associated with a morphologic attenuation of glomerular sclerosis in the kidney and collagen infiltration in the heart. Urinary protein excretions were less in the miso group than in the rats given the 1.3% NaCl solution. The fractional excretion of sodium was increased and that of potassium was decreased in Dahl S rats given the 1.3% NaCl solution, and these effects were reversed in rats given miso soup toward the values of the control. We found that long-term miso soup drinking attenuates the blood pressure increase in salt-induced hypertension with organ damage. This may be caused by a possible retardation of sodium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract or by the direct effects of nutrients in the miso soup from soybeans. The decrease was associated with decreases in cardiovascular and renal damage.

The effect of spaceflight on starch development in soybean (Glycine maxL., BRIC-03) and potato (Solanum tuberosum, Astroculture-05) was compared with ground controls by biophysical and biochemical measurements. Starch grains from plants from both flights were on average 20-50% smaller in diameter than ground controls. The ratio A×/Ap (A×difference of magnetic susceptibilities, A p -difference of densities between starch and water) of starch grains was ca. 15% and 4% higher for space-grown soybean cotyledons and potato tubers, respectively, than in corresponding ground controls. Since the densities of particles were similar for all samples (1.36 to 1.38 g/cm3), the observed difference in A~Ap was due to different magnetic susceptibilities and indicates modified composition of starch grains. In starch preparations from soybean cotyledons (BRIC-03) subjected to controlled enzymatic degradation with c~-amylase for 24 hours, 77±6% of the starch from the flight cotyledons was degraded compared to 58+ 12% in ground controls. The amylose content in starch was also higher in space-grown tissues. The good correlation between the amylose content and A~A p suggests, that the magnetic susceptibility of starch grains is related to their amylose content. Since the seedlings from the BRIC-03 experiment showed elevated post-flight ethylene levels, material from another flight experiment (GENEX) which had normal levels of ethylene was examined and showed no difference to ground controls in size distribution, density, A×/Ao and amylose content. Therefore the role of ethylene appears to be more important for changes in starch metabolism than microgravity.

Functional feed supplemented with alternative-economic nutrient sources (protein, carbohydrates, lipids) and probiotics are being considered in shrimp/fish aquaculture production systems as an option to increase yield and profits and to reduce water pollution. In this study the probiotic potential to formulate functional feeds have been evaluated using four dietary treatments: Treatment 1 (B + Bs); Bacillus subtilis potential probiotic strain was supplemented to a soybeanmeal (SBM)-carbohydrates (CHO) basal feed. Treatment 2 (B + Bm); Bacillus megaterium potential probiotic strain was supplemented to the same SBM-CHO basal feed. In Treatment 3 (B); SBM-CHO basal feed was not supplemented with probiotic strains. Treatment 4 (C); fishmeal commercial feed (FM) was utilized as positive control. Feeding trials evaluated the survival, growth, and food conversion ratio and stress tolerance of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) Pacific white shrimp. Best overall shrimp performance was observed for animals fed with Treatment 1 (B+Bs); additionally, stress tolerance and hemolymph metabolites also showed the best performance in this treatment. SBM-CHO basal feed not supplemented with probiotic strains (B) presented smaller growth and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Shrimps fed with the fishmeal commercial feed (C) presented the lowest stress tolerance to high ammonia and low oxygen levels. Specifically selected B. subtilis strains are recommended to formulate functional and economical feeds containing high levels of vegetable; protein and carbohydrates as main dietary sources in L. vannamei cultures.

Background: Children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) are often treated with fortified blended flours, most commonly a corn-soy blend (CSB). However, recovery rates remain ,75%, lower than the rate achieved with peanut paste-based ready-to-use supplementary foods (RUSFs). To bridge this gap, a novel CSB recipe fortified with oil and dry skim milk, "CSB++," has been developed. Objective: In this trial we compared CSB++ with 2 RUSF products for the treatment of MAM to test the hypothesis that the recovery rate achieved with CSB++ will not be .5% worse than that achieved with either RUSF. Design: We conducted a prospective, randomized, investigatorblinded, controlled noninferiority trial involving rural Malawian children aged 6-59 mo with MAM. Children received 75 kcal CSB++ Á kg 21 Á d 21 , locally produced soy RUSF, or an imported soy/whey RUSF for 12 wk. Results: The recovery rate for CSB++ (n = 763 of 888; 85.9%) was similar to that for soy RUSF (795 of 806, 87.7%; risk difference: 21.82%; 95% CI: 24.95%, 1.30%) and soy/whey RUSF (807 of 918, 87.9%; risk difference: 21.99%; 95% CI: 25.10%, 1.13%). On average, children who received CSB++ required 2 d longer to recover, and the rate of weight gain was less than that with either RUSF, although height gain was the same among all 3 foods studied. Conclusions: A novel, locally produced, fortified blended flour (CSB++) was not inferior to a locally produced soy RUSF and an imported soy/whey RUSF in facilitating recovery from MAM. The recovery rate observed for CSB++ was higher than that for any other fortified blended flour tested previously. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00998517.