The chemical composition and protein quality of amaranth grain germ plasm in Guatemala

The present research was carried out for the purpose of collecting part of the germ plasm of grain amaranth in Guatemala, as well as to evaluate it in terms of yield, chemical composition and nutritive value. A total of 27 Guatemalan selections, one from Mexico and seven from Peru were planted in June 1982 in 7.5 m2 experimental plots replicated four times. The harvest seed was utilized for analysis of protein, ether extract, crude fiber, tannin content and trypsin inhibitors, as well as for NPR assays. A group of five pooled samples was made based on protein content for amino acid analyses; 10 samples were selected for a second NPR and protein digestibility assay. A preliminary assay on amino acid supplementation of raw grain flour is also reported. The selections were significantly different in grain yield. In general, selections which flowered at a short height and were harvested also at short height, tended to yield more seed. Findings revealed a negative relationship between plant height and grain yield, but a positive relationship between plant height and dry vegetable residue. Protein content of the grain averaged 15.0% with values ranging from 12.8 to 17.4%. Fat content varied from 5.6 to 10.6% with an average of 8.4%. Amaranth grain with a higher protein content contained greater amounts of amino acids on a weight basis, but when these were expressed on a nitrogen basis, differences disappeared. Based on the FAO/WHO amino acid reference pattern, grain amaranth protein was deficient in sulfur amino acids. Although the biological trial corroborated this deficiency, more studies should be undertaken. The NPR values of the samples from Peru averaged 2.30, the one from Mexico 2.04 and those from Guatemala, 2.36. Protein digestibility was 80, 82 and 74%, respectively. The data suggest that there is sufficient variability to select materials of a higher chemical composition, nutritive value, and yield.     

Yield and chemical composition of the vegetal parts of the amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, L.) at different physiological stages

The genus Amaranthus comprises species which, consumed as vegetables, provide essential nutrients to man; they also have a high acceptability among the population. These two factors justify the need to increase their cultivation. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to establish the most adequate physiological state of maturity, to harvest the leaves for human consumption. The field experiment utilized a randomized block design with three treatments and eight replications. These treatments consisted in harvesting the plants at 25, 40 and 60 days after emergence of the seedlings, samples which served to evaluate: plant height, number of leaves, leaf surface area, gross weight (leaves and stems), net weight (leaves), green matter and dry matter yield, as well as protein. The chemical composition of the harvested material was evaluated also in terms of moisture, protein, crude fiber, ether extract, ash, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene and oxalates. The results obtained in the agronomic study were subjected to analysis of variance for the respective design, with significant differences found between treatments for all the variables studied. In its turn, the results of the chemical analysis were analyzed by a completely randomized design, with significant differences obtained for most of the variables studied, except for ether extract, calcium, iron and oxalates. From the nutritional point of view, the first harvest was the most acceptable due to the chemical composition of the plant, in particular protein (29.5%), beta-carotene (33.7 mg%), calcium (2,356.1 mg%), phosphorus (759.1 mg%) and due to its low crude fiber content, only 11.1 g%. It did not occur so from the agronomic point of view, since during this stage, very low yields of green matter (575.9 kg/ha), dry matter (66.6 kg/ha) and protein (19.7 kg/ha) were obtained. At the second harvest, besides obtaining adequate yields of green matter (6,530.4 kg/ha), dry matter (681.8 kg/ha) and protein 154.3 kg/ha), an acceptable composition in its protein content (22.7 g%), beta-carotene (24.1 mg%), calcium (2,279.8 mg%), phosphorus (740.9 mg%) and iron (52.7 mg%) was also obtained. The crude fiber content, on the other hand, was not excessively increased (14.3 g%), from which findings it was concluded that this is the best stage for harvesting, in comparison with the harvests carried out 25 and 60 days after emergence. Finally, it was observed that harvesting at 60 days gave the highest yields in green matter (24,272.8 kg/ha), dry matter (3,452.0 kg/ha) and protein (510.7 kg/ha).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Development and evaluation of a low-cost amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) containing food for preschool children

A powdered blend for feeding preschool children was prepared from whole amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) seeds, pearled oats, soybeans, sucrose and vegetable oil. The blend was similar in proximal chemical analysis and total caloric content, and identical in calorie distribution and vitamin and mineral patterns to a soy/oats infant formula previously developed. The amaranth blend equalled the FAO/WHO 1973 children's pattern in tryptophan and exceeded this pattern, as well as the soy/oats formula in all other essential amino acids; it reflected higher PER than casein and the soy/oats formula. In feeding trials with children 1-3 years of age, no significant differences in weight gain was observed when either product was fed. The anticipated cost of the amaranth blend is 6% lower than that of the soy/oats formula.     

(Al_2O_3,CaO)掺杂对x(MgO)=8%-ZrO_2纳米粉相组成和晶粒大小的影响

用尿素水解法制备了x(MgO)=8%-ZrO2及(Al2O3,CaO)掺杂的x(MgO)=8%-ZrO2纳米粉。经XRD、TEM等分析表明:掺入Al2O3有降低(c+t)-ZrO2体积分数和细化晶粒的作用;CaO的掺入可显著提高(c+t)-ZrO2含量,当掺入x(CaO)=3%时,可得到全稳定立方相氧化锆。     

Supercritical CO2 and low-pressure solvent extraction of mango (Mangifera indica) leaves: Global yield,extraction kinetics,chemical composition and cost of manufacturing

Low-pressure solvent extraction (LPSE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) were used to obtain extracts from mango (Mangifera indica) leaves. Kinetics curves were determined for both methodologies. The extracts chemical compositions and manufacturing costs were determined for both processes. Global yield isotherms for SFE process were determined at 10–40 MPa and 313–323 K. The highest yield was 2.24% at 30 MPa and 323 K; the LPSE yield (9.3%) was almost three times higher than that of SFE (3.6%). Thin layer chromatography showed that mango leaves extracts have several classes of compounds as alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids, recovered by both methods. The cost of manufacturing (COM) mango leaves extracts were US$ 32/kg and US$ 92/kg for LPSE and SFE, respectively.     

Relationship between electroultrafiltration (EUF) extractable nitrogen,grain yield,and optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates for winter wheat

The objective of the investigation was to examine whether there exist relationships between the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate for winter wheat and soil nitrogen fractions extracted by electroultrafiltration (EUF) from autumn samples of the upper soil layer (0–30 cm). Optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates were derived from grain yield curves of field trials carried out with increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates on 19 different sites in 1985/86 and 1986/87. Most soils were luvisols derived from loess, two soils were brown earths and one a pararendzina. Total Nitrogen fertilizer rates were 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N/ha applied twice before ear emergence. The final nitrogen rate at ear emergence was the same for all treatments, namely 60 kg N/ha.Optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates were derived from the grain yield curve fitted to a modified Mitscherlich equation. The optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates were correlated with the nitrogen fractions extracted by EUF. The regression equation thus obtained showed that NO ₃ ^- , the organic N fraction (EUF Norg), and the EUF Norg-quotient each had a highly significant impact on the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate. The higher the amounts of EUF-N extracted the lower the optimum nitrogen rate. Substituting the EUF Norg-fraction for total nitrogen concentration in the upper soil layer gave a poorer relationship between the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate and the soil data. In absolute terms the EUF Norg-fraction had by far the greatest impact on calculating the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate. The investigation shows that the EUF method is a suitable technique for the determination of available soil nitrogen from which optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates can be derived for winter wheat cultivated under soil and climatic conditions typical for cereal growing areas in central Europe.     

Identification of chemical oviposition stimulants from rice grain forSitophilus zeamais motschulsky (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Chemical components stimulating oviposition bySitophilus zeamais in rice grain were isolated from rice bran and were found to be a mixture of ferulates, diglycerides, and free sterols. Oviposition preference of the species can be induced by synergistic action of these compounds.     

Growth rate,yield and nitrogen uptake response of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) to nitrogen rates in humid subtropics

Field experiments were conducted during wet seasons (June to October) of 1974, 1976 and 1977 to determine the response of newly developed hybrids and varieties of grain sorghum to N fertilization under humid subtropical conditions of Pantnagar in India. In addition to the enhancement in flowering and maturity stages brought about by N application, it also resulted in increased plant dry weight, translocation coefficients, grain yield plant^–1 and grain yield ha^–1. Varietal differences existed with respect to their responses for yield and N uptake to N rates. Most of the entries responded up to 120 kg N ha^–1. Hybrid CSH 5 utilized applied N more efficiently than other varieties.Publication No 1612 of GBPUA and T, Experiment Station, Pantnagar.     

The chemical composition and nitrogen distribution of chinese yak (maiwa) milk

The paper surveyed the chemical composition and nitrogen distribution of Maiwa yak milk, and compared the results with reference composition of cow milk. Compared to cow milk, yak milk was richer in protein (especially whey protein), essential amino acids, fat, lactose and minerals (except phosphorus). The contents of some nutrients (total protein, lactose, essential amino acids and casein) were higher in the warm season than in the cold season. Higher ratios of total essential amino acids/total amino acids (TEAA/TAA) and total essential amino acids/total non essential amino acids (TEAA/TNEAA) were found in the yak milk from the warm season. However its annual average ratio of EAA/TAA and that of EAA/NEAA were similar to those of cow milk. Yak milk was rich in calcium and iron (p < 0.05), and thus may serve as a nutritional ingredient with a potential application in industrial processing.     

Effect of composition and grain size on dielectric,ferroelectric and induced strain behavior of PLZT/ZrO2 composites

Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate ceramics (PLZT) are well known for their excellent dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. In this study, PLZT 9/70/30, 9/65/35 and 9/60/40 ceramics were prepared by vibro-milling mixed-oxide method. All compositions of powders were uniaxial pressed in pellets and sintered at the temperatures of 1200–1275 °C with various soaking times of 2, 4 and 6 h. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed that all the PLZT samples had perovskite structure with ZrO₂ as a second phase and PLZT/ZrO₂ composite structure was formed. Dielectric behavior at the frequency of 1 kHz showed broad peak indicating relaxor ferroelectric behavior and the difference of the temperature at maximum dielectric at different frequencies increased when Zr:Ti ratio increased. Polarization with electric field (P-E loop) at room temperature showed that when Zr:Ti ratio increased, the coercive field decreased resulting from crystal structure change from tetragonal to rhombohedral. Induced strain with electric field depended on microstructure where the value of S_max/E_max tended to decrease with increasing grain size. It can be concluded that dielectric and ferroelectric behavior predominantly depended on composition of PLZT ceramics and induced strain behavior predominantly depended on grain size of PLZT ceramics.     

The mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae enhances growth, yield and chemical composition of a durum wheat variety in 10 different soils

The effect of the vesicular arbuscularmycorrhizal fungus (VAMF) Glomus mosseae ongrowth, yield and nutrients' uptake of the durum wheatvariety Sifnos was investigated in ten differentsoils. Inoculation had a positive effect on tillering,improved plant growth up to 11.6 times and increasedgrain yield up to 5.4 times as compared tonon-inoculated plants. The thousand kernels weight wasimproved by up to 60%. The analysis of shoot tissue ofthe mycorrhizal plants showed that P concentration wasincreased up to 4 fold, while the K, Ca and Mg uptakewas similar for both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizalplants. The concentrations of the trace elements Mn,Zn, Fe and Cu were lower in the mycorrhizal plantscompared to that of non-inoculated ones. The P and Mgconcentration of the grains produced by the inoculatedplants was increased while the Ca concentration wasdecreased. The concentration of the heavy metals waseither decreased ( Mn, Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb) or remainedunchanged (Zn, Cu). The colonization in the roots ranged from 23 to 78%.     

Donor doping of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics with strontium and its implications to grain size,phase composition and crystal structure

In this study, the particular effects of A-site donor doping, such as crystal-structure change, the secondary-phase formation and the grain-size decrease, in a lead-free piezoceramic material K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ (KNN) doped with Sr²⁺, were investigated. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analyses proved that Sr occupies the perovskite A-sublattice, and locally modifies the KNN monoclinic structure to cubic. Introducing Sr into the A-sublattice, as well as accounting for the charge-compensating A-site vacancies in the starting composition, causes increasing lattice disorder and microstrain, as determined from a Rietveld refinement of the synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. Above 2% Sr the system segregates the A-site vacancies in a secondary phase in order to release the chemical pressure, as revealed by Raman spectroscopy. All these effects result in an increasing number of low-angle grain boundaries that limit the grain growth and finally lead to a significant grain-size decrease.     

Growth and yield responses of dryland grain sorghum to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in a ferruginous tropical soil (Haplustalf)

Field trials were conducted during the 1980–82 seasons to study the response dryland sorghum to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in a ferruginous tropical soil. Treatments tested were factorial combinations of three rates of nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha^–1) and four rates of phosphorus (0, 11, 22 and 33 kg P ha^–1). Grain and straw yields and yield components were enhanced by nitrogen fertilization in two out of three years. The optimum N rate for grain yield was 60 kg N ha^–1 while straw yield responded up to 120 kg N ha^–1. The optimum P rate for dryland sorghum was 11 kg P ha^–1. Both N and P enhanced grain weight per head, grain number, test weight and tillering significantly but it was only N which enhanced 1000-grain weight and flag leaf area. Dry matter productin was increased by N fertilization but not by P. There were no significant N × P interactions for any of the parameters studied. Dryland sorghum response to N and P fertilization was influenced by season, time of planting and rainfall distribution.     

Influence of additives on the purity of tetragonal phase and grain size of ceria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Ce-TZP)

A comprehensive study on the influence of typical additives on zirconia (ZrO₂) crystallization was presented. Zirconium nitrate pentahydrate (Zr(NO₃)₄·5H₂O) and cerium(III) nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O) were employed as reagents, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na) or glycerol were adopted as additives, and ammonia water was adopted as pH regulator. The ZrO₂ powders were prepared by hydrothermal method. The crystal phase purity, grain size and micro morphology of the ZrO₂ powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) to investigate the influence of EDTA-2Na, glycerol and Ce⁴⁺ content on the purity of tetragonal phase and the grain size of ceria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Ce-TZP). It was found that EDTA-2Na could decrease the purity of tetragonal phase and alter the grain size of Ce-TZP nonlinearly, while glycerol could not decrease the purity of tetragonal phase and the grain size of Ce-TZP, and the grain size was not linear with the amount of glycerol; Doping Ce⁴⁺ could increase the purity of tetragonal phase of zirconia but could not decrease the grain size, and the grain size was not linear with the Ce⁴⁺ content; In addition, it was indicated that EDTA-2Na and glycerol could not improve the distribution uniformity of Ce⁴⁺. This study is expected to have provided a novel path to achieve tailored ZrO₂ crystals with reduced low-temperature degradation.     

Kinetic study of black (Fe,Cr)2O3 pigment synthesis reaction: influence of composition and particle size

Abstract

The influence of initial Fe₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ mixture particle size and composition on the black (Fe,Cr)₂O₃ pigment synthesis reaction has been studied. An empirical equation is proposed, based on a mathematical expression derived in a previous study,which relates these variables to resulting pigment mass fraction, synthesis time, and temperature in the studied range of operating conditions.     

Chromatographic separation of azeotropic and low-conversion poly(styrene-stat-2-methoxyethyl methacrylate) according to chemical composition

Distribution of the chemical composition of statistical copolymers was studied by HPLC using azeotropic and low-conversion copolymers of styrene and 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate that are expected to exhibit only statistical chemical heterogeneity. Adsorption behavior of the copolymers was studied dynamically with a specially designed apparatus, using flow through a column packed with a macroporous silica and a mixed mobile phase 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE)–heptane (50 : 50 v/v) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). The shape of displacement isotherms indicates the existence of a region lying near the displacement critical composition, where the total amount of adsorbed copolymer is independent of the mobilephase composition. Fractionation was achieved by step-by-step desorption of a copolymer sample previously adsorbed on silica packed into a chromatographic column, by means of a stepwise gradient of mobile-phase composition. The styrene content of isolated fractions decreased with increasing content of THF in the mobile phase. The experimentally determined integral weight distribution of chemical composition shows good agreement with theoretical curves. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

氟树脂性能与加工应用(续25)

叙述了聚全氟乙丙烯和四氟乙烯-全氟代烷基乙烯基醚共聚物在电子电气、化学、机械和食品等行业的应用。