Preparation and properties of flours and protein concentrates from raw, fermented and germinated fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) seeds

In vitro protein digestibility, chemical composition and selected functional properties of flours and protein concentrates prepared from raw, fermented and germinated fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) seeds were studied. Protein concentrates prepared by an alkaline extraction process had increased crude protein contents (61.5–70.8%) compared to flour samples (46.4–52.7%). The yields of protein concentrates ranged from 24.5% to 29.4% while values for protein recoveries varied between 64.8% and 65.2%. Protein concentrates also had increased foam volume and decreased foam stability (100% decrease over a 2 h period), compared to flour samples. Fermentation and germination were observed to significantly (p<0.05) lower polyphenol and phytic acid contents, but increased protein digestibility of fluted pumpkin seed flours and concentrates. Both raw flour and concentrate were significantly (p<0.05) higher in water absorption capacity than germinated or fermented flours and concentrates. Protein concentrates had comparatively better fat absorption properties than the flour samples. Hence protein concentrates may prove to have useful applications in ground meat formulations.     

Performance of prolific and nonprolific maize hybrids under reduced-input and high-input cropping systems

Previous research indicated that prolific (multi-ear) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids might perform better than nonprolific (single-ear) hybrids under lower-yielding environments. Field experiments were conducted during 1996–1999 to evaluate the agronomic responses of 10 maize hybrids differing in ear prolificacy under reduced-input and high-input cropping systems. Hybrids were of similar maturity (FAO 400) and divided into two prolificacy groups (prolific versus nonprolific), each consisting of five hybrids. The reduced-input system consisted of plowing at 20–22 cm; fertilization at 105, 104, and 104 kg ha⁻¹ N, P₂O₅, and K₂O; 37–38 000 plants ha⁻¹; and low input of herbicide. The high-input system involved plowing at 30–32 cm; fertilization at 213, 130, and 130 kg ha⁻¹ N, P₂O₅, and K₂O; 60–65 000 plants ha⁻¹; and high input of herbicides. Grain yields significantly decreased under reduced-input compared to high-input cropping system by an average of 26.1%. Significant cropping system×prolificacy group interactions were found for most yield components but not for grain yields. This indicated that both prolificacy groups exhibited a similar yield decrease under the reduced-input system even though prolific hybrids had 1.33 ears per plant compared to only 1.01 ears per plant of nonprolific types. All prolific hybrids responded similarly to various cropping input levels principally by means of changes in kernels per plant, whereas some nonprolific hybrids had greater response through 1000-kernel weight then kernels per plant. Prolific hybrids tended to achieve higher grain yields which averaged 10 414 kg ha⁻¹ compared to 9383 kg ha⁻¹ for nonprolific types partly due to less barren plants per hectare and primarily because of a higher grain weight per plant. Larger grain weights per plant of prolific hybrids were primary due to more kernels per plant in the reduced-input system, and a combined effect of more kernels and heavier 1000-kernel weight per plant in the high-input system. Improved kernel number per plant for prolific hybrids was associated with kernels from secondary ears. Although prolific hybrids outyielded nonprolific types, our findings failed to indicate that the prolificacy trait per se had any important effect on hybrid performance when grown under reduced-input compared to high-input cropping system.     

Compositional variation amongst sorghum hybrids: Effect of kafirin concentration on metabolizable energy

Kafirins are stored proteins that negatively affect the nutritional quality of sorghum grain. Kafirin concentration and other chemical characteristics were determined in 12 sorghum hybrids and varied significantly, from 58% (HB1) to 42% (HB12) as percent total protein. Kafirin concentration correlated negatively with crude protein (CP) (−0.49), with acid detergent fiber (−0.40), apparent metabolizable energy (−0.61), and true metabolizable energy corrected for N (−0.63). HB12 was the hybrid with the lowest content of kafirins, amylose and tannins, and the highest content of apparent metabolizable energy. No differences were observed in the concentration of starch, but differences were found in apparent metabolizable energy (3325–2944 kcal kg⁻¹) probably due to a greater availability of starch, related to differences in kafirin concentration.     

Performance and yield stability of maize hybrids in stress-prone environments in eastern Africa

Identification and deployment of high-yielding and stress-tolerant maize hybrids adapted to stress-prone agro-ecologies is important for improving the food security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in eastern Africa.The objectives of this study were to(i)assess the performance of maize hybrids under well-watered and drought stress conditions;(ii)evaluate grain yield stability of 65 intermediate-maturing and 55 early-maturing hybrids in 24 well-watered locations and seven drought stress locations;and(iii)identify representative and/or discriminative testing locations for increasing genetic gains for the target traits.There were significant differences for grain yield among early-and intermediatematuring hybrids tested under well-watered and drought stress environments.Among the early-maturing hybrids,the top 10 hybrids produced 46.8%–73.9%and 31.2%–42.1%higher mean grain yields than the best commercial check under drought and well-watered conditions,respectively.Among the intermediate-maturing hybrids,the top 10 hybrids produced 25.2%–47.7%and 8.5%–13.5%higher grain yield than commercial checks under drought stress and well-watered conditions,respectively,suggesting improvement in the levels of drought tolerance in both early-and intermediate-maturing hybrids.GGE biplot analysis and a bi-segmented regression linear method identified specific early-maturing and intermediate-maturing hybrids that performed well under both well-watered and drought stress conditions.These hybrids could be recommended for commercial production in eastern Africa.Kakamega in Kenya was found to be the most representative and highly discriminating site among well-watered testing locations,while Kabuku in Tanzania was the least representative of test locations.For testing under drought stress conditions,Kiboko in Kenya was identified as the most representative location.This information could be useful for allocating resources and streamlining CIMMYT maize hybrid testing in eastern Africa.     

不同生长带玉米自交系和杂交组合品质的差异分析

利用近红外光谱仪对2013年海南三亚种植收获的99份温带自交系(13份高油材料和86份普通材料)、64份热带/亚热带自交系和由这163份自交系随机组配的186份杂交组合的杂交当代F0材料进行无破损子粒品质成分鉴定,分析不同生长带玉米自交系及其不同组合的杂交种后代品质成分的差异性。结果表明,当不考虑高油材料影响时,温带材料与热带/亚热带玉米自交系之间粗蛋白、粗脂肪和粗淀粉含量差异均不显著;去除高油材料后,温带材料与热带/亚热带玉米自交系之间粗蛋白差异不显著,粗脂肪和粗淀粉含量差异极显著。对于不同生长带玉米杂交当代F0而言,考虑与不考虑高油材料影响时,粗脂肪差异都极显著,粗淀粉和粗蛋白都无明显差异;相对于粗蛋白和粗淀粉,粗脂肪表现出更高的超高亲和超中亲优势。     

早熟高油大豆新品种阿豆1号的选育及栽培技术

早熟高油大豆新品种阿豆1号是新疆农业科学院粮食作物研究所在黑河5号的基础上,采用异地选择方法培育的优良大豆新品种;籽粒蛋白质含量37.4%(干基),脂肪含量23.4%(干基),且蛋白质含量受环境影响较大,脂肪含量与蛋白质和脂肪总量受环境影响较小。2004~2005年参加新疆大豆品种(早熟组)区域试验,平均产量3 128.55 kg/hm2,居参试品种第3位。2005年参加新疆大豆品种(早熟组)生产试验,平均产量2 884.95 kg/hm2,居参试品种第3位。该品种适宜新疆北部冷凉大豆产区春播和南部阿克苏地区复播。     

Protein quality and endosperm modification of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) under two contrasting soil nitrogen environments

Quality protein maize (QPM) breeding involves the combined use of the opaque-2 (o2) gene and the genetic modifiers of the o2 locus to develop cultivars with modified kernel endosperm, and increased concentrations of lysine and tryptophan. This study was designed to assess grain yield performance, endosperm modification, and protein quality and quantity under two contrasting soil nitrogen environments. A 15-parent diallel cross was evaluated under one low nitrogen stress and one optimal nitrogen environment each at Harare (Zimbabwe) and Bako (Ethiopia). Most QPM hybrids showed higher protein quality levels than the best non-QPM check under both conditions. Protein concentration tended to vary across nitrogen levels, but not endosperm type. Significant differences were found for the test of main effect (nitrogen-level) for endosperm modification and tryptophan concentration. This indicated that QPM maintains quality even under low soil nitrogen, a widespread condition in Africa. General combining ability (GCA) mean squares were highly significant for most protein quality traits for each environment and across environments whereas specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares were not significant in most cases. This indicated that additive gene effects were primarily responsible for variation of most traits evaluated and hence progeny performance can adequately be predicted on the basis of parental performance. Inbred lines P2, P4 and P12 had desirable GCA effects for endosperm modification while P1 and P3 had the best GCA for tryptophan concentration in grain. The current study suggests that hybrids with desirable endosperm modification, protein quality and stable performance under low nitrogen stress and optimal conditions can be produced with careful selection.     

Nutritional evaluation of some commercial wheat varieties grown in Pakistan

The nutritive value of some commercial wheat varieties grown in Pakistan was measured chemically, including amino acid analysis, and biologically in N-balance experiments with growing rats. The protein content ranged from 13.2% in Punjab-83 to 16% in Barani-83. Lysine per 100g protein varied between 2.46 and 2.75%. The available carbohydrate ranged from 67.3 to 74.7%. Iron content was highest in Sonalika while the concentration of zinc and manganese was highest in Sarhad-82. The protein digestibility (TD), biological value (BV) and net protein utilisation (NPU) varied between 92–95%, 56–68% and 53–65% respectively. Level of wheat protein was negatively correlated with available carbohydrate (r=–0.93), lysine per unit protein (r=–0.67) and BV (r=–0.76). The lysine content (g/16gN) of commercial wheat varieties showed a positive correlation (r=+0.95) with the BV. The protein quality was lowered in varieties having higher content of protein.     

Quality Protein Maize: Overcoming the Hurdles

SUMMARY

Quality Protein Maize (QPM), a nutritionally enhanced maize, was developed by researchers from CIMMYT using too genetic systems–opaque-2 and genetic modifiers. The use of these two genetic systems overcame the highly complex problems that were inherent in the original soft endosperm opaques. This review describes the ever-evolving breeding options and strategies for the development of QPM with examples from the CIMMYT maize program, where much of the research and practical breeding work has been done. The soft endosperm opaque-2 materials developed earlier had poor agronomic performances and lacked producer and consumer acceptance. To overcome these constraints, subsequent research explored various options, with and without high lysine mutants. Like other institutions, CIMMYT researchers tried and critically examined the merits and demerits of different strategies. Of all the strategies available, the selection for modified kernels in which CIMMYT scientists had gained information, experience, and confidence seemed viable. To implement this strategy, modified opaque-2 donor stocks were built and were subsequently used for expanding the QPM developmental efforts. A large volume of QPM germplasm was developed using different breeding options, which were later merged and reorganized into a fixed number of pools and populations to permit working in homozygous opaque-2 genetic backgrounds. The development of QPM hybrids was the next turning point in the mid-80s. During the QPM developmental process, serious problems inherent in the opaques were circumvented and since then, rapid progress has been made. There is a renewed interest in QPM and several countries have recently released QPM varieties and hybrids. To further accelerate the QPM developmental process, to enhance its popularity amongst nations and its farmers, and to meet future challenges, innovative ideas and the tools of biotechnology will be needed.     

Nutrient composition and biological evaluation of mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds

Two varieties of mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds were analysed for their proximate composition. Their protein (18.8–22.3%), fat (19.1–22.8%) and dietary fiber (39.5–42.6%) contents were found to be high. The seeds were found to be a good source of minerals like phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. Their lysine and tryptophan contents were also high. Sulphur containing amino acids were limiting in this seed protein and the chemical score of mesta seed protein was 40 and 57 for AMV-2 and Bhimili-1 varieties respectively. Mesta seed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (70%), of which linoleic acid constituted 44%. Weanling rats were fed with 10% mesta seed protein before and after cooking for 4 weeks. Food intake of animals receiving raw mesta seed diets was significantly lower than those receiving cooked mesta seed diets as well as the casein control diet. Protein and dry matter digestibilities of raw and cooked mesta seed diets were lower than that of casein control diet. Cooking improved the food intake, gain in body weight, dry matter and protein digestibility of mesta seed diets. PER and NPU of cooked mesta seed diets were significantly higher than the corresponding raw diets. These results indicate that cooked mesta seed protein is of relatively good quality.     

Chemical composition and functional properties of blends of maize and bambara groundnut flours for cookie production

Chemical composition and functional properties of flour blends containing various levels of maize (100–0%) and bambara groundnut (0–100%) were studied. The resultant blends were high in protein, carbohydrate and caloric value. The blends contained fair amounts of Ca, P and K but were low in Na and Fe. The oil and water absorption capacities of the blends were fairly high ranging from 3.65 to 3.81 g oil/g sample and 3.40 to 3.80 g water/g sample, respectively. The gelation concentration of the blends tended to increase with increase in amount of maize flour in the blend. On the other hand, increasing the level of maize flour in the blends considerably reduced the foaming capacities of the blends. The flour blends had good emulsifying properties. Cookies prepared from the blends contained proteins ranging from 10.9 to 21.65% The cookies had good spread and were significantly lighter than the wheat control cookies. Sensory evaluation scores for cookies showed that the best level of combination was 75% maize flour and 25% bambara groundnut flour.     

The nutritional quality of some oat varieties cultivated in Norway

The chemical composition, yield values, and protein quality were measured in 12 oat varieties cultivated in Norway. The protein quality was based on amino acid composition and true protein digestibility, biological value, net protein utilization, and utilizable protein obtained in N-balance experiments with rats. The protein concentration in dry matter varied from 10.25% to 15.69% while fat varied from 5.70% to 10.41%. The variation in readily soluble carbohydrates, crude fiber, ash, and tannin was relatively low. Dry matter yield per hectar varied from 1675 to 6222 kg. The yield of protein, fat, and essential amino acids was also highest in the variety with the highest yield. True protein digestibility was above 90% in all varieties while the biological value was in the range of 74.5%–79.6%. In contrast to most other cereal grains, protein quality was not affected by protein concentration. This resulted in utilizable protein above 10% for several of the oat varieties.     

Yield and agronomic performance of maize hybrids resistant to the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

This study evaluated improved maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) with varying level of resistance to the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, for yield and agronomic traits for two seasons. A total of 22 improved maize hybrids and three commercial standards were tested. Out of the 22 tested, two hybrids CKPH08035 (7.4–9.9 t ha⁻¹) and CKPH08039 (7.3–9.8 t ha⁻¹) significantly out yielded the commercial standards WH505 (8.8 t ha⁻¹) and BH140 (5.5 t ha⁻¹). In addition to yield, the improved hybrids also possess desirable traits including good plant height, good plant and ear aspects and good husk cover. The hybrid CKPH08004 had the lowest Dobie index of susceptibility and was regarded as resistant to S. zeamais. Weevils fed with the resistant hybrids produced low numbers of F₁ generation weevils, had a high median developmental time and a low percentage of grain damage and grain weight loss. An increasing number of F₁ generation resulted in an increasing grain damage and grain weight loss. We found an inverse relationship between the susceptibility index and percent mortality. However, the numbers of F₁ generation, percent grain damage and grain weight loss were positively correlated with the susceptibility index. The use of resistant maize hybrids should be promoted in managing S. zeamais in stored maize under subsistence farming conditions in Africa.     

不同氮肥模式对夏玉米产量、蛋白质品质和氮素利用特性的影响

以高产玉米品种郑单958和先玉335为供试材料,在大田生产条件下设置4个施氮水平,研究不同氮肥模式对两个高产玉米品种子粒产量、蛋白质产量及氮素利用特性的影响。结果表明,两个玉米品种子粒产量随施氮量的增加显著增加,均以240 kg/hm~2处理最高,先玉335子粒产量显著高于郑单958;两个玉米品种子粒蛋白质含量及其产量随施氮量的增加显著增加,先玉335的蛋白质含量及其产量均高于郑单958;两个玉米品种氮素利用效率、氮肥生产效率和氮肥农学利用效率随施氮量的增加而显著降低,均以180 kg/hm2处理最高,先玉335的氮素利用效率、氮肥生产效率和氮肥农学利用效率均高于郑单958。综合分析认为,两个玉米品种均以240 kg/hm~2处理可以同步协调实现较高的子粒产量、蛋白质含量和氮素利用效率,获得产量、品质和高氮素利用效率的协调统一。     

Effect of N supply on stalk quality in maize hybrids

The identification of maize nitrogen (N) response for stalk quality is valuable in stalk breeding improvement, stalk lodging resistance and for use in bioenergy. This study analyzed the effect of two N levels and estimated quantitative genetic parameters for stalk quality in summer maize in the north China plain (NCP). Thirty hybrids were sampled and tested from three to four geographic locations under high nitrogen (HN) (225 kg N ha⁻¹) and low nitrogen (LN) (0 kg N ha⁻¹) during 2006–2008. Compared to HN level, stalk crude protein (CP) was significantly reduced (22.06%) under LN level. Ether extract (EE), ash content (AC), in vitro dry matter digestion (IVDMD) and lignin content (LC) were lower under LN level. Cellulose content (CC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were increased with a reduction in N, however N did not significantly affect EE, ADF and LC. An increase in NDF and ADF content under low vs. high N level was mainly attributed to a reduction in CC. ADF and NDF exhibited positive correlation and both showed a positive correlation with CC but a negative correlation with LC, IVDMD and CP. Negative correlations between IVDMD and CC, IVDMD and LC, and CP and CC were also detected. The interaction variance of genotype × year × location (σ²_GYL) for each N level, with the exception of σ²_GYL for CC under HN, was significant and most stalk quality traits were evaluated in different locations and years. The estimates of genetic variance (σ²_G) and heritability (h²) were greater under HN, with the exception of LC and EE. The interaction of genotype × nitrogen (σ²_GN) for CP was more important than σ²_G. The genotypic correlation coefficients (r_G) for performance in different stalk quality traits between HN and LN were significant. However, it was necessary to evaluate both HN and LN for IVDMD. For other stalk quality traits, breeding maize under HN levels may serve to develop hybrids well adapted to high and/or low N level. The response to N trend was similar between high oil and normal maize hybrids.     

Nutritional evaluation of wheat and maize breads supplemented with a mixture of peanut-chickpea flour

Whole wheat and maize (corn) flours were supplemented with 10, 20 and 30% levels of a 1:1 mixture of peanut and chickpea flours (PCF). Supplementation increased the protein content of the wheat and maize blends by 20–61%. Significant increases in other proximate constituents as well as K, Ca, P, Fe, Zn and Cu levels and lysine were observed. The chemical score (FAO/WHO, 1973) of wheat flour increased from 53 to 72 and that of maize flour from 49 to 71 with 30% PCF. Biological evaluation of wheat breads (baking time = 7 min at 220°C) at 10% protein level and maize breads (baking time = 15 min at 250°C) at 8% protein level in the diet showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in the protein quality of PCF-supplemented breads as judged by gain in body weight, protein efficiency ratio, net protein ratio, net protein utilization, biological value and utilizable protein (NPU% × protein% ÷ 100) content. A supplementation level of 20% was considered adequate to achieve the desired nutritive benefits.     

密植条件下不同玉米品种产量及子粒营养品质相关性状研究

试验以陕单609、榆玉3号、先玉335、郑单958、秋润100、陕单636为供试品种,在67 500株/hm2和82 500株/hm2两种种植密度下,研究增密对不同玉米品种子粒产量和营养品质的影响。结果表明,随着密度的增加,子粒产量、收获穗数、群体干重和LAI显著增加,穗粒数、百粒重和子粒蛋白质含量呈下降趋势,淀粉含量和粗脂肪含量不同品种间呈现不规律变化。密植条件下,品种间子粒产量差异更为明显,陕单609、先玉335和榆玉3号的产量显著高于其他品种,分别较郑单958增产1.98%、11.26%和2.37%。陕单636增密后影响产量的主要因素是粒重,先玉335和郑单958增密后影响产量的主要因素是穗粒数,陕单609、榆玉3号和秋润100增密后影响产量的因素是穗粒数和粒重。因此,选择优良品种,适当增加玉米种植密度,加强田间管理,保证穗粒数和粒重稳定,是实现玉米密植高产优质的重要途径。     

SSR-based and grain yield-based diversity of hybrid maize in Thailand

Commercial hybrid maize varieties are often used to extract new inbred lines in hybrid breeding programs. Seven commercial hybrid maize varieties were crossed in a diallel design, and the resulting hybrids and selfed progeny were evaluated for yield and adaptability grown in six locations in Thailand. The parental varieties were analyzed with a set of 64 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci, spanning all 10 chromosomes. The average number of alleles per SSR locus was 4.98 with a range of 2–11. The polymorphic information content (PIC) varied from 0.24 to 0.89, with an average of 0.69. Using SSR-based genetic distance (GD), an UPGMA dendrogram showed seven field corn varieties classified into three distinct groups. Troyer's genetic distance (TGD) calculated from yield data, which is a function of inbreeding depression, varied from 0.493 to 1.015 between different parental combinations. A significant positive correlation was found between the GD and TGD across the six locations (0.66^**). The GD correlated positively with specific combining ability (SCA) as well across all locations (r = 0.76^**) heterosis was significant for grain yield and SCA, accounting for 47% of the sum of the square among entries. Therefore, we suggest that broad base populations derived from each of the distinct groups can be formed using combined criteria of SSR-based GD, TGD, grain yield, GCA and SCA.     

Protein quality evaluation of sprouted maize

Protein, lysine, tryptophan, crude fibre (CF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of sprouted, normal and hard endosperm opaque-2 (QPM) kernels increased, whereas in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) decreased substantially up to five days of germination. Following the removal of radicles alone or both radicles and plumules from sprouted kernels, IVPD improved at all the stages of germination. However, the contents of lysine and tryptophan were not affected significantly. For some stages of germination, these amino acids decreased slightly. In sprouted normal kernels, IVPD was higher whereas protein, lysine and tryptophan content was lower than that of sprouted QPM kernels respectively at all the stages of germination. In four days old sprouted normal kernels, after the removal of both radicles and plumules biological value (BV), net protein utilization (NPU) and utilizable protein (UP) increased over non-sprouted kernels whereas true digestibility (TD) reach at par with non-sprouted kernels.     

The nutritive value of amaranth grain (Amaranthus caudatus)

The nutritional value of three pale seeded and one dark seeded variety ofAmaranthus caudatus was studied by chemical analyses and in balance experiments with growing rats. Effects of processing: popping, toasting and flaking were also examined. The pale seeds contained about 14% protein, 10% fat, 2.5% ash, 64% starch and 8% of dietary fibre. The black seeds had a much higher content of fibre (16%). The concentration of essential amino acids were high. Lysine ranged from 5.2–6.0 g/16 g N in the grains, and the limiting amino acids were leucine followed by valine or threonine. The grains contained small amounts of tannin (0.3%) and heat-labile protease inhibitor activity, at levels typical of common cereal grains. Digestibility of protein in the pale seeds was high (87%) and quite unaffected by processing. Protein digestibility of the black seeds was lower, and the digestibility was further reduced by toasting. The biological value of the protein was similar in all products, and very high. The content of minerals varied among varieties and was also affected by processing. Phytate: zinc molar ratios were high in most products, and rats fed the amaranth samples with the lowest zinc contents were in negative zinc balance. In general, femur zinc concentrations were rather low. However, amaranth is an unconventional crop which deserves further attention.