bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yield variation of wheat and barley in Britain in relation to crop growth and soil conditions—A review
Authors: Gales Kenneth
Published: October 2006

Yields of cereals in Britain vary between sites and between years, and average farm yields are less than half of the calculated potential maximum yield. Yield variation is discussed in relation to soil conditions and root growth. An analysis of yield and its components of winter wheat for several sites over several years shows that yield is strongly correlated with number of grains per ear, and number of ears per unit area. These components of yield are influenced by environmental conditions during the reproductive phase of development, particularly light interception, nitrogen absorption and plant water stress. Crop growth analysis shows that total dry matter production is strongly correlated with light absorption, which depends on seasonal variation in leaf area index. Leaf expansion in the field is mainly dependent on temperature, plant water stress, and nitrogen absorption. The environmental factors that are believed to have a strong influence on number of grains per ear, number of ears per unit area, and leaf expansion are discussed. Subjects in which further research is needed are identified. These include: effects of restrictions to root growth on absorption of nutrients and water; effects of soil temperature on leaf expansion and nutrient absorption; the nitrogen requirements of the cereal crop, including the effects of temporary deficiencies of N on the final grain yield.
The chemical composition and true metabolisable energy content of cassava root meal imported into Northern Ireland
Authors: Stevenson Mary H. , Graham William D.
Published: October 2006

The chemical composition and true metabolisable energy (TME) content of 10 samples of cassava root meal imported into Northern Ireland were measured. There were no major significant differences in the chemical composition of the native and pelleted cassava. Traces of HCN were found in all the samples and the four mycotoxins for which examinations were carried out were absent. The true metabolisable energy content of the meal was 13.46 MJ kg−1 as fed, i.e. 15.13 MJ kg−1 in the dry matter.
The role of oxygen in the production of formaldehyde in frozen minced cod muscle
Authors: Reece Paul
Published: October 2006

It is known that formaldehyde is produced by the breakdown of trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO) by enzyme action during frozen storage of gadoid muscle. However, little is known of the nature of the enzyme's activity during frozen storage of the fish muscle. Determination of the formaldehyde produced throughout the depth of a block of minced cod muscle during frozen storage has shown that the production of formaldehyde is inhibited near the surface of the mince. Both in‐vivo and in‐vitro studies using TMAO as substrate have shown that the production of formaldehyde is inhibited by both oxygen and potassium cyanide, and activated by reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide.
Heterogeneity of subunit composition in lupin globulins. Comparison of proteins from a single seed and from a number of seeds
Authors: Casero Patrizia , Duranti Marcello , Cerletti Paolo
Published: October 2006

The subunit compositions of a legumin‐like (globulin 8) and a vicilin‐like protein (globulin 4) extracted from a plurality of seeds and from a single seed both in commercial and in a selected cultivar of Lupinus albus were studied. In the case of globulin 4, a very similar number of bands were observed in SDS‐PAGE, in the protein extracted from a batch of seed and in the same globulin isolated from a single seed. For globulin 8 the SDS‐PAGE pattern showed fewer subunits in the protein from the batch of seeds than in that from a single seed. This is more pronounced in the single seed and in the plurality of seeds of a selected cultivar. Reasons for this behaviour are discussed.
The effect of process parameters on seasonal development of flavour in black tea
Authors: Fernando V. , Roberts G. R.
Published: October 2006

Analysis by g.l.c. of ether–extractable steam volatile constituents of black tea from a high elevation tea estate in the Western Region (Dimbulla District) of Sri Lanka during seasonal flavour development, indicated the presence of trans‐2‐hexenal, n‐butyraldehyde, cis‐3‐hexenol, 1‐octen‐3‐ol linalool, methyl salicylate and geraniol as the main flavour constituents. Of these, trans‐2‐hexenal and linalool showed appreciable seasonal changes in black tea. Leaf quality and manufacturing practices, particularly withering and fermentation, influenced the production of these compounds during black tea manufacture. It is suggested that the relative concentration of these compounds may be partly responsible for the typical flavour quality of Sri Lanka black teas and these may be used as indices of flavour development.
Investigations into the use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for the quality assessment of wheat with respect to its potential for bread baking
Authors: Osborne Brian G.
Published: October 2006

The possible use of near infrared (n.i.r.) reflectance spectroscopy for the prediction of the bread baking quality of wheat has been investigated. A number of UK wheat samples were studied using a monochromator system which enabled reflectance data between 1100 and 2500 nm to be measured. These data were correlated with protein content, α‐amylase as measured by Falling Number, and protein quality as measured by SDS sedimentation volume, with the result that only protein content was capable of satisfactory calibration against n.i.r. Furthermore, no improvements to the wavelengths currently available in filter instruments could be found for the measurement of protein in wheat.

It is therefore concluded that for UK wheat at least, n.i.r. spectroscopy cannot provide a measurement of bread baking quality of wheat beyond that which may be predicted from protein content.
A study of the mode of breakdown of some compounds containing PN bonds which have potential as high analysis multinutrient fertilisers
Authors: Kimber Ronald W. L. , Fergus Ian F.
Published: October 2006

Three compounds containing high percentages of N, P (and S) were prepared, and their degradation studied in both aqueous and soil environments, with particular reference to the appearance of radicals containing these elements in forms normally used by plants. A model is proposed for the degradation of one of these compounds—hexamethyl‐hexaaza‐tetraphosphaadamantane (APA)—which eventually releases orthophosphate and methylamine, presumably a precursor of ammonium. The initial degradation reactions involve hydrolysis through amidophosphites, to phosphite, followed by oxidation to phosphate. The latter reaction appears to be dominantly biological, and should therefore proceed in soil systems. Hexamethyl‐hexaaza‐tetraphosphaadamantane tetrasulphide, a sulphur‐containing compound similar to APA, produced phosphite and phosphate on decomposition, and here the phosphate is probably produced directly by hydrolysis reactions. The third compound, hexamethylaminocyclotriphosphazatriene, has a planar structure in contrast to the cage structures of the other two compounds, and decomposed only very slowly in either aqueous medium or in soil.
The in‐vitro digestibility and chemical composition of plant parts in white clover, red clover and lucerne during primary growth
Authors: Wilman David , Altimimi Mehdi A. K.
Published: October 2006

White clover (cv. Grasslands Huia), red clover (cv. Norseman) and lucerne (cv. Sabilt) were sampled during primary growth at the flower bud, near full flowering and seeds formed stages in each of 2 years. Each sample was separated into 2–11 plant parts, depending on species and stage of growth, and for each part the in‐vitro true dry matter digestibility, digestibility of cell wall and percentages of cell content, nitrogen, water‐soluble carbohydrate and lignin were determined. Green leaflets of all three species were consistently high in digestibility. The cell wall fraction of green leaflets was less digestible in red clover than in white clover and lucerne. The digestibility of the upper part of the stem of lucerne and red clover was high at the flower bud stage but declined considerably thereafter, whereas the digestibility of the lower part of the stem was much lower at the flower bud stage and declined relatively little. The green leaf stalks and inflorescences were generally rather less digestible than green leaflets and, in lucerne and red clover, more digestible than stems. In white clover the inflorescence stalks were less digestible than the leaf stalks. The digestibility of plant parts was strongly correlated with the proportion of cell content, and less strongly with the digestibility of cell wall. The proportion of cell content was positively correlated with N%, and the digestibility of cell wall was negatively correlated with the proportion of lignin in cell wall.
Metabolism of vicine and convicine in rat tissues: Absorption and excretion patterns and sites of hydrolysis
Authors: Hegazy Mohamed Ihab , Marquardt Ronald R.
Published: October 2006

The objectives of this study were to determine whether dietary vicine and convicine were absorbed by rat tissue, and to determine their excretion patterns and/or sites of degradation. Orally administered vicine and convicine were excreted in relatively low amounts via the kidney and faeces. However, no vicine or convicine was detected in the blood, liver, kidney or muscle tissue of rats which had been fed these compounds. In‐vitro studies demonstrated that vicine and convicine were not hydrolysed in liver, kidney, muscle, caecal wall or intestinal wall homogenates. In contrast, digesta samples from the large intestine and caeca were able to rapidly hydrolyse these compounds, with the concomitant formation of new compounds. Digesta from the stomach and small intestine promoted the slow hydrolysis of these compounds, as did fresh faecal samples. These results would suggest that vicine and convicine are absorbed by the rat in only limited amounts, are not hydrolysed by rat tissues, and are rapidly cleared from tissue via the kidney. The bulk of the dietary vicine and convicine are hydrolysed in the large intestine and caecum.
Redistribution of minerals in apple fruit during storage. Preliminary investigations with the variety spartan
Authors: Perring Michael A.
Published: October 2006

Concentration gradients of dry matter, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium across median transverse slices were measured on a fresh matter basis at intervals during the storage of Spartan apples in either air or 2% oxygen (<1% carbon dioxide) at 1°C. Proportions of calcium declined in the core and increased, during the first 4 months of storage, in the cortex where calcium rapidly became less extractable with 75% ethanol. Proportions of potassium increased in the inner cortex while those of phosphorus increased in the inner cortex and, during the first 2 months of storage, in the core. Proportions of magnesium declined steadily in the peel and outer cortex with corresponding increases towards the fruit centre. These changes were mainly independent of storage conditions and differences in dry matter concentrations. Calcium and magnesium moved to the core region when core browning developed, especially in the air‐stored samples, towards the end of the storage period.
The effects of molasses on the fermentation of chopped whole‐plant leucaena
Authors: Alli Inteaz , Fairbairn Robert , Noroozi Ebrahim , Baker Bruce E.
Published: October 2006

The incorporation of molasses (22.5 and 45.0 kg t−1, fresh wt basis) with chopped whole‐plant leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) at the time of ensiling, increased the rate of fermentation as compared to the control (no molasses). The silage (leucaenalage) prepared with molasses had a lower pH, higher residual water‐soluble carbohydrates, greater quantities of acetic and lactic acid and lower levels of volatile nitrogen, non‐protein nitrogen and free amino acids than did the leucaenalage containing no molasses. The extent of these changes increased as the level of the molasses was increased.
A study of the migration of externally applied sucrose esters of fatty acids through the skins of banana, apple and pear fruits
Authors: Bhardwaj C. Lal , Jones Haydn F. , Smith Ian H.
Published: October 2006

[14C]‐Labelled sucrose esters of fatty acids were prepared and included in a fruit coating which retarded ripening. The esters remained substantially intact on the surfaces of bananas, apples and pears during storage at 17 or 18°C for up to at least 30 days. The amounts of sucrose esters in the coatings applied to the surfaces of fruits were 250 mg m−2 for the banana, 681 mg m−2 for Cox's Orange Pippin apple, 617 mg m−2 for Conference pear and 362 mg m−2 for Comice pear. Analysis for radioactivity in the pulpy tissue of coated fruits stored for up to 41 days showed a low concentration of migrated label, which was difficult to distinguish from background. It was concluded that the concentrations of sucrose esters in the pulpy tissue were not more than 10 ng g−1 for banana, 350 ng g−1 for apple, 300 ng g−1 for Conference pear and 70 ng g−1 for Comice pear, and that the mode of action of sucrose esters in the retardation of ripening seems unlikely to be dependent upon their migration into the pulpy tissue.
Determination of methionine by gas–liquid chromatography: Methods for the elimination of an interfering component present in some fish meals
Authors: Duncan Alexander , Ellinger Gabrielle M. , Glennie Robert T.
Published: October 2006

Intact methionine residues in food proteins, including a limited number offish meals, have been determined using gas chromatography to measure methyl thiocyanate released after CNBr reaction. However, methionine values for certain fish products determined by that method have been found to be low and variable compared with those determined by ion‐exchange chromatography after performic acid oxidation. This was traced to the presence of a component of many fish meals that, when reacted with CNBr, gave a product which co‐eluted with the internal standard, ethyl thiocyanate. A method was developed to eliminate this interference and allow methionine determinations to be carried out using the same gas chromatographic procedure.
Nutritive value of a mixture of tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L.) and baobab seeds (Adansonia digitata L.)
Authors: Addy Emmanuel O. , Eteshola Edward
Published: October 2006

The seeds of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) and the tubers of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) were analysed chemically for their proximate composition and amino acids. The tubers contained 47.9% digestible carbohydrates, 32.8% oil and 3.8% crude protein. The baobab seeds contained 24.1% digestible carbohydrate, 29.7% oil and 28.4% crude protein. A mixture of the vegetables was prepared from three parts of the tigernuts and one part of baobab seeds, by weight, such that a 10% crude protein meal was obtained. The chemical score of the mixed vegetable was 51%, based on limiting amino acids, i.e. those which contain sulphur. The level of antinutritive substances, such as tannin and tryptic inhibitors, in the raw vegetables were reduced by soaking or boiling.
Chemovarieties of Coridothymus capitatus L. Rchb. Growing in Israel
Authors: Fleisher Alexander , Fleisher Zhenia , Abu‐Rukun Salman
Published: October 2006

Wild populations of Coridothymus capitatus growing in Israel and West Bank of Jordan river were found to consist of at least three chemically distinct varieties, differing in the composition of the phenol fraction of the essential oil. These are thymol‐containing, carvacrol‐containing or contain thymol and carvacrol in the ratio of approximately 1:2. The thymol‐containing variety is abundant, while the carvacrol‐containing variety is very rare. The C. capitatus chemovarieties probably only exist in the area studied, because this plant has been extensively studied and is known to contain carvacrol as a main component of its essential oil and is considered to be the most chemically stable species of the genus Thymus. The results of this study led to the conclusion that Origanum oil produced in mandated Palestine during the 1930s and 1940s was distilled not from Coridothymus capitatus, but from Majorana syriaca. The former producer has confirmed this opinion.
Studies into the occurrence of some trichothecene mycotoxins in UK home‐grown wheat and in imported wheat
Authors: Osborne Brian G. , Willis Kenneth H.
Published: October 2006

A total of 199 UK home‐grown wheat samples collected over three harvests (1980–82 inclusive) and 33 imported wheat samples were analysed for the presence of seven trichothecene mycotoxins (nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenon‐x, neosolaniol, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT‐2 toxin and T‐2 toxin). Analysis was performed by a gas–liquid chromatographic method and positive results greater than 0.1 mg kg−1 were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The only mycotoxin detected in any of the samples was deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) which occurred in 32 out of 199 UK home‐grown wheats at levels ranging from 0.02 to 0.40 mg kg−1 and 23 out of 33 imported wheats at levels ranging from 0.02 to 1.32 mg kg−1. Microbiological evidence suggests that the lower incidence and levels of deoxynivalenol in UK, other EEC and Western Canadian wheat compared with Eastern Canadian and Midwest US wheat may be caused by a geographical variation in the distribution of Fusarium species.
The conditioning of wheat. Moisture migration between the components of a mixed grist, and its effect on milling performance
Authors: Hook Simon C. W. , Bone Geoffrey T. , Fearn Thomas
Published: October 2006

Canadian and UK wheats have been conditioned separately to different moisture levels, then blended and held for varying periods before milling. A progressive and substantial moisture migration between the components of the blend was observed, but the extent of such migration had a negligible effect on milling performance. This is interpreted with reference to earlier work on the conditioning of the individual wheat types.
Effect of a calcium peroxide seed coating on the establishment and yield of winter wheat sown by direct drilling in the presence of straw residues
Authors: Christian Dudley G. , Miller Deborah P.
Published: October 2006

Seed coated with a formulation containing calcium peroxide slightly improved establishment and yield of winter wheat direct‐drilled in the presence of straw residues compared with wheat seed coated with a commercial fungicide/pesticide. There was no benefit in the presence of stubble or after burning. Even with the peroxide coating the yield of the crop direct‐drilled into chopped straw was 33% less than where the residues had been burnt.
The influence of dietary fibre sources on growth, feed efficiency and digestibilities of dry matter and protein in rats
Authors: Mitaru Barnabas N. , Blair Robert
Published: October 2006

Hulls from Tower canola (TCH), Regent canola (RCH) and soya beans (SBH) were included at 10 or 20% in soya bean meal based diets for rats, to compare the effects of these fibre sources on growth, feed consumption, feed efficiency and dry matter and protein digestibilities. A soya bean meal based control diet and another diet containing a purified fibre source (Alphafloc) at a 10% level, were included for a further comparison. Each of the diets was fed to six rats in a 4‐week feeding trial. The diets gave similar weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency values. The control diet had the highest mean coefficient of dry matter digestibility (80.8%) and the 20% SBH and Alphafloc diets had the lowest (72.4 and 72.2%). The canola hull and 10% SBH and Alphafloc diets had intermediate values (73.2–75.0%). There was a highly significant negative correlation between the dietary fibre content and the dry matter digestibility of the diets. The control and Alphafloc diets showed the highest and similar apparent (81.4 and 79.9%) and true (86.8 and 85.3%) digestibility values for dietary protein. The 20% canola and soya bean hull diets showed the lowest apparent (71.4–73.7%) and true (76.9–79.4%) digestibility coefficients. The 10% canola and soya bean hull diets had intermediate apparent and true protein digestibility values (73.2‐75.3 and 78.4–80.6%, respectively). The chemical analysis of the fibre sources showed that Alphafloc had the highest cellulose content (88%) and the lowest lignin content (0.6%), while canola hulls had the lowest cellulose content (25.4–28.4%) and the highest lignin content (26.6–28.9%). Soya bean hulls had intermediate cellulose (50%) and low lignin (1.3%) contents. The results suggest that cellulose did not have a detrimental effect on the dietary protein digestibility but lignin and/or some other undetermined factors in the hulls had an adverse effect on protein digestibility.
An empirical description of photosynthetic area in wheat crops
Authors: Green Christopher F. , Gregson Keith
Published: October 2006

A function is presented which closely describes photosynthetic area production and senescence for winter wheat canopies. Maximum and mean rates of foliar growth and death can be calculated, together with estimations of initial canopy area and the position and value of maximum canopy area.
A comparison of four methods of analysing aqueous soil extracts for sulphate
Authors: Mc M. Adams Trevor , Lane Peter W.
Published: October 2006

Four methods of measuring sulphate content were tested on aqueous KH2PO4 extracts from 24 soils, representing a wide range of soil types within Northern Ireland. The methods compared were (i) reduction to hydrogen sulphide (Johnson–Nishita); (ii) loss of barium from solution following barium sulphate precipitation; (iii) turbidimetric measurement of suspended barium sulphate; and (iv) measurement of residual 2‐aminoperimidine by spectrophotometry following precipitation of 2‐aminoperimidine sulphate. The barium loss method was about as precise and accurate as the hydrogen sulphide method, but did not measure the organic sulphur compounds extracted and so tended to give lower values than the hydrogen sulphide method. However, both these methods seemed to be satisfactory. The other two methods were much less precise and, on average, the turbidimetric method overestimated the amount of sulphate.
Rapeseed meal and egg taint: Effects of low glucosinolate Brassica napus meal, dehulled meal and hulls, and of neomycin
Authors: Roger Fenwick G. , Curl Caralyn L. , Butler Edward J. , Greenwood Neil M. , Pearson Arthur W.
Published: October 2006

Whole meals prepared from four cultivars (Tower, ‘French’ (unknown cultivar from France), Duo and Tandem) contained sufficient progoitrin and soluble tannins to impair trimethylamine (TMA) oxidation, and thereby allow the TMA content of eggs to rise above the tainting threshold, when they were fed as protein supplements (100 g kg−1) to hens which had been bred for low TMA oxidase activity. Hulls from Tower and ‘French’ seed produced small, but detectable, effects and since the potencies of dehulled and whole meals were similar, it was established that the hulls make only a very minor contribution to the tainting potential. Although the addition of neomycin to the drinking water when the Tandem whole meal was fed appeared to diminish its effects to a certain extent, it had little value as a prophylactic measure. It was concluded that these meals could produce widespread tainting if used commercially in the UK, and that the removal from the laying hens of the genetic defect which restricts the synthesis of TMA oxidase and thereby confers susceptibility is the only effective way of eliminating the problem.
Effect of sample size on the micro‐malting of barley
Authors: Henry Robert J. , McLean Bruce T.
Published: October 2006

Steep moisture, malt moisture, malt yield, malt extract and extract yield were determined when barley samples in the range 5–100 g were subjected to the same malting procedure. Smaller samples took up more water during steeping, and produced malts with a higher moisture content. This led to a lower malt yield and a higher malt extract and extract yield for small samples. The malt moisture, malt extract and extract yield determinations on 5 g samples were of similar precision to those on 100 g samples, while the steep moisture and malt yield were more variable with the small sample.
Detection and partial characterisation of soluble proteins of beef muscle by immunoelectrophoresis in agarose gels
Authors: Casas Carmen , Tormo José , Hernández Pablo E. , Sanz Bernabé
Published: October 2006

Immunoelectrophoresis in agarose gels has been used to detect and partially characterise specific protein precipitin bands of beef proteins (CSP), free of cross‐reactions with proteins of pig (PSP) and horse (HSP). Out of the six precipitin bands obtained by reacting CSP's against an anti‐CSP antiserum produced by a rabbit, only one band was produced by interaction of the anti‐CSP antiserum with PSP and HSP. The other five bands were specific beef muscle soluble proteins. This technique may be useful in detecting the presence of beef in unheated ground meat products.
Constituents of the essential oil of Bothriochloa bladhi (Retz.) S. T. Blake
Authors: Melkani Anand B. , Mathela C. S. , Dev Vasu
Published: October 2006

Bothriochloa bladhi (Retz.) S. T. Blake, an aromatic fodder grass in the Himalayan region yielded 0.2% essential oil. Thirteen monoterpenoids and 14 sesquiterpenoids were identified in the oil, with sesquiterpenoids being the major constituents of the oil. The composition of this oil differs from reports on the essential oils from other Bothriochloa species with respect to major constituents, especially in the absence of acorenone‐B.
The distribution of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in Cox's Orange Pippin and Spartan apple fruit
Authors: Perring Michael A. , Pearson Keith
Published: October 2006

Transverse concentration gradients differed between Cox and Spartan apples: Spartan apples had higher proportions of calcium and phosphorus in the core, and Cox apples had higher proportions of phosphorus in the inner cortex. Differences in magnesium gradients varied with year. Fruit variety had little effect on longitudinal gradients.
The Kinetics and mechanism of caffeine infusion from coffee: Hydrodynamic aspects
Authors: Spiro Michael , Page Caroline M.
Published: October 2006

Hydrodynamic flow conditions were controlled by means of large horizontal rotating discs. These were coated with ground and sieved Kenyan Arabica coffee, and rotated at various speeds in distilled water at 25°C. The rate of extraction of caffeine was measured in each experiment. At a constant rotation speed, the first order rate constant rose steeply with decreasing size of coffee particle and was found to be inversely proportional to the square of the particle radius. For a given particle size, however, the rate constants were independent of the rotation speed. These two findings show that the rate‐determining step for extraction from coffee‐coated discs was the diffusion of caffeine through the bean particle and not its diffusion through the Nernst layer. The same mechanistic conclusion can be drawn for stirred coffee suspensions by applying the hydrodynamics of turbulent flow.
Proteins and trypsin inhibitor activity of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub) seed
Authors: Kaur Perminder , Bhatia Iqbal S.
Published: October 2006

Proteins soluble in tris‐acetate buffer (pH9.0) were fractionated by DEAE‐cellulose, DEAE‐Sephadex A‐50 and Sephadex G‐200 column chromatography. The purified proteins which contained 5–6% carbohydrate, had molecular weights of 125 900 and 22 390 amu. The high molecular weight fraction was homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteins extracted in phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH7.6) when subjected to Sephadex G‐200 gel chromatography were resolved into three fractions, all of which showed considerable trypsin inhibitor activity. Germination for 3 days reduced the trypsin inhibitor activity of the seed by about 30%.
Variation in nutrient composition of Australian retail potatoes over a 12‐month period
Authors: Wills Ron B. H. , Lim Jessie S. K. , Greenfield Heather
Published: October 2006

‘Pontiac’, ‘Sebago’ and potatoes marketed under the general name of New potatoes were purchased from retail outlets in Sydney, Australia every 2 weeks over a 12‐month period during 1982–83 to determine the change in composition over a season. Data are presented for water, vitamin C, starch, sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose), dietary fibre, protein, fat, organic acids (malic, citric and oxalic acids), ash, carotenes, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc levels, edible weight and energy content. The level of vitamin C varied throughout the year from 10 to 23 mg 100 g−1 for ‘Pontiac’, 14 to 29 mg 100 g−1 for ‘Sebago’ and 16 to 32 mg 100 g−1 for New potatoes with the lowest values occurring in August to September (late winter to early spring) and the highest values in December to January (mid summer). Substantial variations also occurred in the water content, which was higher, and the level of starch and hence energy content, which was lower, during the cooler months of the year. Smaller changes were noted for niacin and thiamin which were lower and sugars which were higher during the winter period.
Determination of protein in pea flour by near infrared analysis
Authors: Davies Anthony M. C. , Wright David J.
Published: October 2006

Equations were derived for predicting crude protein content (total nitrogen × 6.25 or Kjeldahl nitrogen × 6.25) of pea varieties from near infrared data measured on a filter instrument (Technicon Infra Analyzer 400). The accuracy of the predictions were tested against different data sets and found to be better than ±1.5% (P=0.95), and adequate for use in a plant breeding programme.
The effect of withering on fermentation of tea leaf and development of liquor characters of black teas
Authors: Ullah Mohammed R. , Gogoi Nogen , Baruah Deepika
Published: October 2006

Depression in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity during the withering of tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) in black tea manufacture affected the oxidative‐condensation of tea flavanols in forming theaflavins (TF) and thearubigins (TR), which are associated with brightness, briskness and ‘body’ of tea liquors. In contrast to conventionally manufactured CTC teas, unwithered fresh leaf CTC produces a higher proportion of TF and lower TR, resulting in bright, brisk and thin liquors. Hardness of wither was accompanied by a further depression in PPO activity, and formation of TF also declined with a concomitant loss in brightness and briskness. The TR content increased up to a certain degree of wither and thereby improved the ‘body’ of the liquor. Very hard wither, accompanied by a large reduction in moisture content, restricts PPO activity. It appears that in the fresh leaf, high moisture levels together with dissolved oxygen accelerate the enzymic oxidation and produce large amounts of TF. Senescence of the leaf seems to facilitate the production of TR.
The apparent digestibility of alkali‐treated willow (Salix aquatica var. gigantia) when fed to sheep
Authors: Unsworth Edmund F.
Published: October 2006

Dried, ground willow (Salix aquatica) treated with 33 g sodium hydroxide kg−1 (7.5M solution) was fed to sheep in pelleted diets containing 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 g treated willow kg−1. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dietary dry matter, organic matter and energy declined linearly with increasing content of treated willow. Extrapolation of these relationships gave estimated apparent digestibility values for treated willow of 0.42 and 0.40 for dry matter (DM) and gross energy respectively. The apparent digestibility of acid‐detergent fibre was shown to be 0.36. The metabolisable energy content of the treated willow was calculated to be 5.7 MJ kg−1 DM. The high copper content (579 mg kg−1) of the treated willow did not appear to have any deleterious effects on the animals during this short‐term experiment as shown by the normal liver copper concentrations in the sheep at the end of the experiment.
The effect of the dietary Na+ + K+ − Cl− balance on the short‐term energy and nitrogen metabolism of the growing pig
Authors: Moughan Paul J. , Smith William C.
Published: October 2006

Three diets containing either 45, 72 or 218 mEq kg−1 of the Na+ + K+ − Cl− balance were each given to four male growing pigs in a 13‐day metabolism trial. The dietary Na+ + K+ − Cl− balance did not significantly influence the digestibility or metabolisability of gross energy and nitrogen or the extretion of urinary urea.
The effects of gel‐forming polyacrylamides on moisture storage in sandy soils
Authors: Johnson Michael S.
Published: October 2006

Gel‐forming, cross‐linked polyacrylamides are new formulations of soil conditioners for use where short‐term or persistent drought inhibits plant growth. Most commercial products absorb water to many times their own weight thus improving the water storage properties of porous soils, and delaying the onset of the permanent wilting percentage where evaporation is intense. However, there is notable variation between products in the binding tension of absorbed moisture, so changes in field capacity are of little diagnostic value for the soil moisture available to plants. Nevertheless, polymers with high absorption capabilities and low binding tensions in the range pF 2 to 4.2 could be important aids to growth of agricultural, horticultural and forestry crops in drought‐prone environments.
Studies on some volatile flavour constituents in orthodox black teas of various clones and flushes in North‐east India
Authors: Hazarika Mridul , Mahanta Pradip K. , Takeo Tadakazu
Published: October 2006

Volatile flavour constituents (VFC) of orthodox black teas manufactured from various cultivars of different geographical areas were analysed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Well marked variations in VFC, as observed, were due to differences in weather conditions during the growth periods and manufacturing techniques. In general, second flush teas contained a higher amount of monoterpenoids such as linalool, their oxides and geraniol compared to rain flush teas of both low grown and high grown areas. Non‐terpenoid products such as hexanol, z‐3 hexenol, benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol were higher in rain flush teas than in second flush teas of only high grown areas.
A general method for the instrumental assessment of the colour of tomato fruit during ripening
Authors: Dixon Timothy J. , Hobson Graeme E.
Published: October 2006

The colour of subjectively‐chosen tomato fruit of three contrasting cultivars at each of five stages of ripeness were measured on a tri‐stimulus colour difference meter. The values were introduced into a formula previously developed for calculating objective limits for each ripening stage, but satisfactory separations were not achieved. When the colour components for areas on the side‐walls of tomatoes were introduced into a revised formula, good discrimination was achieved between classes of fruit from fairly ripe to fully ripe. Similar measurements carried out on areas near the stylar scar and used with an alternative formula led to efficient separation of less ripe fruit into distinct classes. It is suggested that the revised formula can be applied to any cultivated tomato line except colour mutants.
The effects of sorbates on the ensilage of chopped whole‐plant maize and lucerne
Authors: Alli Inteaz , Pabari Sujata , Fairbairn Robert , Baker Bruce E.
Published: October 2006

The incorporation of (a) sorbic acid (0.18 and 0.90 g kg−1, fresh weight basis) and potassium sorbate (0.90 g kg−1) with chopped lucerne, and (b) sorbic acid (0.90 g kg−1) and potassium sorbate (0.90 g kg−1) with chopped maize (whole‐plant) at the time of ensiling, led to a reduction in the surface spoilage associated with the ensilage of these two forages. Use of sorbic acid (0.90 g kg−1) and potassium sorbate (0.90 g kg−1) led to (a) a reduction of volatile nitrogen (VN), higher levels of residual water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in lucerne silage and more aerobically stable lucerne silage and (b) a reduction in weight loss, population of yeasts and moulds, and VN, higher levels of WSC in maize silage and more aerobically stable maize silage when compared to the untreated forages or forages treated with sorbic acid and potssium sorbate at 0.045 and 0.18 g kg−1 (fresh weight basis), respectively.
Gravimetric determination of soluble phenolics including tannins from leaves by precipitation with trivalent ytterbium
Authors: Reed Jess D. , Horvath Peter J. , Allen Michael S. , Van Soest Peter J.
Published: October 2006

A method for the gravimetric determination of soluble phenolics based on precipitation with trivalent ytterbium is described. Solutions of ytterbium‐precipitated phenolics can be prepared in order to study u.v. absorbance, colorimetric assays for phenolics, protein precipitation and cellulase inhibition. The method was applied to mature leaves of 10 East African browse species in the diets of goats and camels. There was a large range in ytterbium‐precipitated phenolics (Yb‐ppt), from 50% dry matter (DM) in Acacia nilotica to less than 15% in Acacia brevispica and Cadaba farinosa. Results from u.v. absorbance and the Folin‐Ciocalteu assay on solutions of ytterbium‐precipitated phenolics indicated that ytterbium precipitates many types of phenolics including proanthocyanidins. The vanillin‐HCl and n‐butanol‐HCl assays for proanthocyanidins separated the samples into two groups with high or low levels. The group with high levels of proanthocyanidins had greater protein precipitation capacity and cellulase inhibition at similar amounts of Yb‐ppt. The results indicate that the method may be useful in nutritional studies involving browse and other forages. Gravimetric analysis avoids problems associated with colorimetric assays because it does not rely on the use of standards. The preparation of solutions of Yb‐precipitated phenolics allows direct comparison between amount and nutritional effects such as protein precipitation and enzyme inhibition.
Determination of nitrite and nitrate levels in meat and vegetable products by high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Wootton Michael , Kok Siu H. , Buckle Ken A.
Published: October 2006

A range of fresh and processed meat and vegetable products was analysed by h.p.l.c. for nitrite and nitrate contents. Satisfactory results were obtained for vegetable products and most meats, but some meat products were subject to matrix interference. Sucrose, sulphate and phosphate did not affect results. Added sodium chloride decreased retention time of nitrite and increased apparent levels of both nitrite and nitrate. Ascorbic and erythorbic acids decreased apparent nitrite levels and correspondingly increased apparent nitrate levels.
Moisture dependence of some electrical and dielectric properties of cassava
Authors: Ajibola Obafemi O.
Published: October 2006

The electrical resistance and the 1.0 kHz dielectric properties of cassava were measured at different moisture content values with the Kiethley digital multimeter and GR 1608‐A impedence bridge respectively. The resistance increased linearly with decreasing moisture content while the Naperian logarithm of the a.c. conductivity decreased linearly with decreasing moisture content. Regression constants were obtained in both cases. The dielectric constant decreased with decreasing moisture content.
Saponin content of some Nigerian foods
Authors: Sodipo Oluwole A. , Arinze Henrietta U.
Published: October 2006

Saponins have been extracted and purified from millet (Pennisetum typhoideum), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), guinea‐corn (Sorghum vulgare) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea). Beans were found to contain a considerable amount of saponin—245.0 mg kg−1, while millet, guinea‐corn and groundnut contained 194.7, 72.7 and 48.8 mg kg−1 dry weight basis respectively.
Cassava foliage: Chemical composition, cyanide content and effect of drying on cyanide elimination
Authors: Gómez Guillermo , Valdivieso Mauricio
Published: October 2006

The chemical composition and cyanide concentration in the foliage of four cassava cultivars (M Col 113, M Col 22, M Col 1684, CM 342–170) were evaluated at four plant ages (6, 8, 10 and 12 months). The effect on cyanide elimination of sun‐drying on a concrete floor and of oven‐drying at 60°C was also studied, including some observations on the tannin content of dried foliage. The proximal composition, calcium and phosphorus contents, as well as the amino acid composition of dried cassava foliage compared favourably to that of sun‐cured lucerne meal. In most cases, foliage from 6‐to 12‐month‐old plants contained 25 to 30% dry matter, and as dried foliage had 13 to 20% crude protein and 16 to 20% crude fibre. Crude protein and crude fibre were the two chemical constituents which varied the most with plant age. The average gross energy of dried cassava foliage was 4.12 kcal kg−1 with a range of 3.90 to 4.35 kcal kg−1. Sun‐drying eliminated more cyanide than oven‐drying (82 to 94% vs 68 to 76%, respectively) and in addition, most of the cyanide in sun‐dried foliage was free cyanide (62 to 77%) whereas only 24 to 36% was found as such in oven‐dried foliage. Sun‐dried foliage samples had consistently lower tannin content than the corresponding oven‐dried samples.
Quality evaluation of the ‘agmark’ grades of cardamom Elettaria cardamomum
Authors: Mathai Chempolil K.
Published: October 2006

Eighteen export grades (Agmark) of Indian cardamom have been studied for their chemical and physical qualities. The grades with heavier and bigger capsules (AGEB and CGEB) were inferior in their flavour constituents to the medium grade (AGS). Chemical bleaching of the capsules decreased the amount of flavour components, especially essential oil, in the capsules.
Protein quality and amino acid‐protein relationships of maize, sorghum and rice grain as influenced by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and soil moisture stress
Authors: Eppendorfer Wilfried H. , Bille SøRen W. , Patipanawattana Sumitra
Published: October 2006

In pot and field experiments cereals were grown with greatly differing rates of N, P and K applications. For maize and sorghum, soil moisture levels were also varied. N applications, P‐ and K‐deficiency, and moisture stress generally increased the total N content of grain, from 1.06 to 2.68, 1.01 to 2.42 and 0.81 to 2.33% (as % of DM) for maize, sorghum and rice, respectively. P, K and moisture stress affected the amino acid composition only indirectly through their effects on N concentration. In all three cereals increasing N concentrations were associated with decreases in crude protein of lysine, methionine, cystine, threonine, tryptophan and, generally, with increases of isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and glutamate. Lysine as a percentage of dry matter increased up to the highest N concentration in all three cereals. Linear regressions with significant correlation coefficients were found between concentrations of most (g 16 g−1 N) or all (mg 100 g−1 DM) amino acids and N content of grain. Based on all experimental data equations for lysine were: g 16 g−1 N=4.44–0.89 × %N; 4.23–0.86 × % N; 4.39–0.42 × % N for maize, sorghum and rice, respectively. Correction of P‐ and K‐deficiency decreased N content of grain and resulted in higher lysine content and better nutritional value of grain protein, whereas correction of N‐deficiency had the opposite effect. The amino acid composition of rice was much more balanced than that of maize and sorghum with a leucine/isoleucine ratio of 2 compared to that of 3 in maize and sorghum. In rat feeding experiments true digestibility of maize and sorghum protein was high (about 95%) but increased only slightly with increasing N in grain, whereas the biological value decreased considerably, from 63 to 55 and from 70 to 58, respectively. The chemical score underestimated the nutritional value of both cereal proteins.
Protein extractability of almond (Prunus amygdalus, batsch) seed
Authors: Esteban Rosa M. , López‐Andréu Francisco J. , Carpena Octavio
Published: October 2006

Studies were carried out on protein solubility of almond meal in several solvents, by varying some factors that govern the efficiency of protein extraction. Concentrations of sodium hydroxide in the range 0.025 to 0.1M extracted most of the protein in almond meal. The rate of stirring had an effect on protein extraction. Increasing the temperature to about 50°C enhanced protein solubility when extractions were carried out using 0.05M NaOH solution. The most efficient solvent: meal ratio was found to be 2000:1 (vol:wt) for a single extraction. Almond proteins displayed a markedly different pH‐nitrogen solubility profile in salt solutions, showing minimal solubility at an acidic pH (pH 3), with a sharp rise in solubility to a maximum at neutrality.
The performance of an SDS‐PAGE and an ELISA method for the quantitative analysis of soya protein in meat products: An international collaborative study
Authors: Olsman Willem J. , Dobbelaere Siegfried , Hitchcock Christopher H. S.
Published: October 2006

The results are reported of a collaborative study in which five meat products containing different known levels of one of five different commercial soya ingredients, together with a blind duplicate and a blank, were analysed for soya protein by 26 laboratories in 10 European countries. Two techniques were tested: the sodium dodecylsulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) method of Armstrong et al. (J. Food Technol. 1982, 17, 327–337) and the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method of Hitchcock et al. (J. Sci. Food Agric. 1981, 32, 157–165). It was concluded that both methods give zero blanks and similar interlaboratory variances; SDS‐PAGE gives more repeatable intralaboratory data, while ELISA gives more accurate determinations. The results reflect significant progress to an interim stage of methodology development; both methods are useful, but require further refinements to make them generally acceptable for control purposes.