Photoperiod-sensitive development phases in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Effects of photoperiod on phasic development, leaf appearance and seed growth in two cultivars of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), and of photoperiod × temperature interactions on seed growth in one cultivar, were examined. The cultivars were Kanckolla (an early-flowering cultivar from the Andean plateau in Southern Peru) and Blanca de Junín (an intermediate flowering cultivar from the tropical valleys of central Peru). The main objectives were to establish which developmental phases are sensitive to photoperiod and whether conditions during a particular phase had delayed effects on subsequent development. Plants were grown in naturally lit growth cabinets and photoperiods were given as 10 h of natural daylight followed by extensions with low intensity artificial light giving either a short (SD, 10.25 h) or long (LD, 14 or 16 h) photoperiod. Treatments were constant (SD or LD) photoperiods or involved transfers between photoperiods at different developmental stages. A quantitative SD response was observed for time to anthesis and total number of leaves, and more than 50% of leaf primordia were formed after floral initiation. With transfers effected during the reproductive phase, the maximum number of leaf primordia, total number of leaves and time to anthesis varied by up to 9%, 33% and 24%, respectively, in relation to controls under constant SD; and by up to 8%, 39% and 12%, respectively, in relation to controls under constant LD. Photoperiods applied after leaf primordia initiation had ceased affected duration of the reproductive phase and total number of leaves through effects on the proportion of primordia that remained unexpanded (range 7–33%). Plants grown in SD until anthesis produced seed, measured 66 days after anthesis, four-fold larger in diameter than seed on plants always grown in LD. Seed diameter was also reduced by 24% by LD applied after anthesis, and by 14% by high temperature (28°C cf. 21°C), but the combination of high temperature with LD gave the greatest inhibition of seed growth (73%). Clearly, photoperiod had strong effects on all stages of plant reproduction and often acted indirectly, as shown by delayed responses expressed in later phases of development.     

Latent infection of Botrytis cinerea in rose flowers and combined chemical and physiological control of the disease

A high percentage of rose flowers collected during winter from greenhouses around Israel developed grey mould disease when incubated in the laboratory in favourable conditions. Symptomless flowers of various cultivars were incubated in a humidity chamber after surface disinfection. More than 50% of the symptomless flowers yielded the pathogen Botrytis cinerea Pers., thus showing the presence of latent infection which probably occurred 3–8 days earlier in the commercial greenhouses. Initially, the symptoms which occurred on affected petals were mainly restricted lesions. However, when flowers were incubated under favourable conditions, necrosis developed and spread. Chemical control of grey mould was tested on cut rose flowers. Partial control of the disease was correlated with reduction in necrosis and a relative increase in restricted lesions (<2 mm in diameter). Of the 18 fungicides which were tested, the following were the most efficient during incubation at 20°C: metomeclan, dichlofluanid, myclozolin, N-phenylcarbamate plus carbendazim (NPC + MBC), polyoxin D, prochloraz and iprodione. When incubated at 10°C, the most effective fungicides against grey mould of rose flowers were NPC + MBC, polyoxin D, chlorothalonil, the detergent Tween 20, and the inhibitor of ethylene activity, silver thiosulphate (STS). Diphenylamine was more effective at 4°C than at 10° or 20°C. STS in combination with each of the fungicides chlorothalonil, polyoxin B, myclozolin or merpan was additively more effective than STS or each of the respective fungicides alone.     

Postharvest biological control of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr.) on fresh-market tomatoes with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Antagonistic bacteria were evaluated for their effectiveness in postharvest control of grey mould on fresh-market tomatoes. Grey mould was reduced in fresh-market tomatoes treated with antagonists and artificially inoculated with Botrytis cinerea, and stored at 20 °C for at least 7 days. One strain, 5PVB (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) was particularly effective. This strain apparently did not produce extracellular antibiotic substances, yet was highly active against the pathogen on both mature-green and red tomatoes. Treatment with 5PVB before storage at 10 °C showed only fungistatic activity against grey mould. Chilling-injured mature-green tomatoes were more susceptible to B. cinerea. On chilled fruits the bacterial antagonist completely controlled the pathogen if the treatment was applied immediately after storage at 2 °C. In fermentation tests on four industrial waste materials, B. amyloliquefaciens grew well and maintained its antagonistic activity when grown in two of them. In pilot experiments with wounded fruits dipped in the bacterial cell and pathogen suspension, the development of decay was effectively inhibited.     

Botrytis cinerea — history of chemical control and novel fungicides for its management

Infections caused by Botrytis cinerea are of considerable economic importance in grapes, vegetables and berries world-wide, especially when grown under protection. Newly introduced botryticides are the anilinopyrimidines pyrimethanil, cyprodinil and mepanipyrim, the phenylpyrrol fludioxonil and the hydroxyanilide fenhexamid. Biochemical studies indicate that the anilinopyrimidines inhibit the biosynthesis of methionin by blocking cystathionine-β-lyase. The target site of fludioxonil seems to lie in the osmoregulatory signal transmission pathway. Although the exact biochemical target of fenhexamid is not yet characterized, there are clear indications that it is different from all other botryticides known. Therefore, fenhexamid is an effective tool for anti-resistance management strategies.     

Amino acid profile of the quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) using near infrared spectroscopy and chemometric techniques

The high content of amino acids of the quinoa, especially essential amino acids (higher than other cereals) makes a food increasingly demanded by consumers. A total of twelve amino acids (arginine, cystine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine) were analyzed in quinoa samples from Chile by near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) with direct application to the samples of a remote fiber-optic reflectance probe. The calibration results using modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression satisfactorily allowed the determination of the concentrations of this amino acid group with high multiple correlation coefficients (RSQ = 0.97–0.71) and low standard prediction errors (SEPC = 0.07–0.20). The prediction capacity (RPD) for the arginine, the cystine, the isoleucine, the lysine, the serine, the threonine, the tryptophan, the tyrosine and the valine ranged between 2.6 and 5.2, for the rest of amino acids were higher to 1.8, indicating that the NIRS equations obtained were applicable to unknown samples. It has confirmed that NIRS technology is a method that may be useful to replace the traditional methods for routine analysis of some amino acids.     

Genetic variability and interrelationship among various morphological and quality traits in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Evaluation of seed yield, morphological variability and nutritional quality of 27 germplasm lines of Chenopodium quinoa and 2 lines of C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae was carried out in subtropical North Indian conditions over a 2-year period. Seed yield ranged from 0.32 to 9.83 t/ha, higher yields being shown by four Chilean, two US, one Argentinian and one Bolivian line. Two lines of C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae exhibited high values for most of the morphological traits but were low yielding. Seed protein among various lines ranged from 12.55 to 21.02% with an average of 16.22 ± 0.47%. Seed carotenoid was in the range of 1.69–5.52 mg/kg, while leaf carotenoid was much higher and ranged from 230.23 to 669.57 mg/kg. Genetic gain as percent of mean was highest for dry weight/plant, followed by seed yield and inflorescence length. All morphological traits except days to flowering, days to maturity and inflorescence length exhibited significant positive association with seed yield. The association of leaf carotenoid with total chlorophyll and seed carotenoid was positive and highly significant. The path analysis revealed that 1000 seed weight had highest positive direct relationship with seed yield (1.057), followed by total chlorophyll (0.559) and branches/plant (0.520). Traits showing high negative direct effect on seed yield were leaf carotenoid (−0.749), seed size (−0.678) and days to flowering (−0.377). Total chlorophyll exerted strongest direct positive effect (0.722) on harvest index, followed by seed yield (0.505) and seed protein (0.245).     

Occurrence of resistant strains of Botrytis cinerea to anilinopyrimidine fungicides in table grapes in Chile

Effort to control gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea failed in a table grapevine (Vitis vinifera) vineyard near Santiago, Chile where cyprodinil (Vangard 50 WP), a new fungicide of the anilinopyrimidine group, had been applied alone up to four times per year during two growing seasons. A relatively high frequency (38.5%) of resistant isolates of B. cinerea (EC₅₀ for mycelial growth inhibition varied from 2.9 to 4.84 μg ml⁻¹) may explain the partial loss of field control efficacy obtained. Resistance was correlated with a complete loss of in vivo sensitivity to cyprodinil. Resistant isolates of B. cinerea showed cross resistance to the anilinopyrimidines fungicides mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil. Cyprodinil partially impaired conidia germination and differentially affected conidial germination of resistant and sensitive isolates. Significant differences (p<0.05) in growth rate, sclerotia production and osmotic sensitivity were found among isolates of B. cinerea, but no correlation could be drawn between these biological differences and resistance or sensitivity. This indicates a disruptive selection characteristic of monogenic resistance. Thus, strategies were implemented to avoid the further development and spread of resistance in B. cinerea to the anilinopyrimidine fungicides. To our knowledge this constitutes the first mention of resistance in B. cinerea populations to anilinopyrimidine fungicides in South America.     

Agronomical and nutritional evaluation of quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) as an ingredient in bread formulations

Quinoa is an Andean seed crop of many potential uses. In 2009 a field trial was carried out to explore the potential for quinoa growing in climatic conditions of South Eastern Europe. Even under rainfed conditions, without fertilization, a seed yield as high as 1.721 t ha⁻¹ was obtained. Seed quality was remarkably good, with protein content ranging from 15.16 to 17.41 % on a dry weight basis, depending on whether seeds were processed. Amino acid and mineral composition revealed the potential of quinoa seeds as a valuable ingredient in the preparation of highly nutritious foods. Quinoa seeds had higher contents of most essential amino acids, especially lysine, than wheat flour. Dehulled quinoa seeds, devoid of saponins, were included into wheat bread formulations, with up to 20%, which resulted in a positive effect on the rheological characteristics of dough. Furthermore, protein content in bread was increased by around 2%. Sensory characteristics of breads were excellent also at the 20% supplementation level. The study of bread supplemented with quinoa seeds could enable the development of a range of new baking products with enhanced nutritional value.     

Properties of starch and dietary fibre in raw and processed quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa,Willd) seeds

We investigated certain properties of starch in raw and in heat-treated samples of quinoa, properties that are of importance to the nutritional quality of an infant food currently being developed. Scanning electron microscopy of the starch in raw seeds showed polygonal granules (0.6 to 2.0 µm diameter) to be present both singly and as spherical aggregates. Thermograms (DSC) of the flours showed one transition phase for gelatinisation of the starch and another for the amylose-lipid complex. The gelatinisation temperature of the starch was 67°C. Cooked samples manifested the highest degree of gelatinisation (97%), followed by the drum-dried (96%) and autoclaved (27%) samples. Separation of the starch on a SEPHAROSE CL-2B column showed the quinoa starch to be affected by the heat treatment, manifesting changes in the degree and extent of degradation. The amylograph viscosity of the quinoa flour showed no distinct peak for pasting, but the viscosity remained constant after gelatinisation. Cooking and autoclaving modified the viscosity of the paste. The drum-dried sample manifested a higher initial viscosity at 25°C. Thein vitro digestibility of raw quinoa starch determined by incubation for 60 min with -amylase was 22%, while that of autoclaved, cooked and drum-dried samples was 32%, 45% and 73%, respectively. Saponins did not affect the digestibility of the starch, though they tended to increase the amylograph viscosity. The total dietary fibre content in the cooked sample (11.0%) was significantly lower than that in the autoclaved (13.2%), drum-dried (13.3%) or raw samples (13.3%), while the insoluble dietary fibre fraction in the samples did not change with heat treatment. However, as compared with that of raw quinoa, the soluble dietary fibre fraction was reduced significantly both by cooking (0.9%) and by autoclaving (1.0%).     

Antifungal properties of Agapanthus africanus L. extracts against plant pathogens

Crude extracts of various Agapanthus africanus plant parts were screened in vitro against eight economically important plant pathogenic fungi. Radial mycelial growth was inhibited significantly (P<0.05) in five test organisms, while Pythium ultimum, and to a lesser extent Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata, showed a degree of tolerance. Subsequently, these crude extracts were tested in vivo in the greenhouse against Mycosphaerella pinodes, the cause of black spot or Ascochyta blight in peas. Fourth internode leaves were removed from 4-week-old pea plants, placed on moist filter paper in Petri dishes and inoculated with a M. pinodes spore suspension 30 min before and after treatment with the extracts. The control of Ascochyta blight by different concentrations of the crude extracts was measured in terms of lesion size over a 6-d period at 20 °C in a growth cabinet. All crude extracts significantly reduced lesion development caused by M. pinodes when leaves were inoculated with spores both before and after treatment with the extracts. Neither of the extracts showed any phytotoxic reaction on the leaves, even at the highest concentration applied. A combined aerial part crude extract of A. africanus was additionally evaluated against sorghum covered (Sporisorium sorghi) and loose (Sporisorium cruentum) kernel smuts under field conditions over two seasons. The extract and a standard fungicide, Thiram that served as a positive control, were applied as seed treatments 1 h after artificially inoculating separate sets of sorghum seed with smut spores. Inoculated, but untreated seeds served as a negative control. The extract reduced the incidence of both loose and covered kernel smuts significantly (P<0.05) and compared favourably with the prescribed fungicide, Thiram. Both treatments resulted in significant yield increases compared to the untreated control. From these results it was concluded that the aerial part crude extract of A. africanus possesses sufficient in vivo antifungal activity to warrant a further investigation.     

Patterns of cross-resistance to fungicides in Botryotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea) isolates from French vineyards

Field strains of Botryotinia fuckeliana were isolated from diseased grape berries which were collected at the harvest, between 1993 and 1997, from French vineyards located in Alsace, Armagnac, Bordeaux, Champagne and Loire Valley. According to the inhibitory effects of fungicides towards spore germination, germ-tube elongation and mycelial growth, several phenotypes could be characterized. Thus, two types of benzimidazole (e.g. carbendazim, thiabendazole)-resistant strains were detected; negative cross-resistance towards diethofencarb, diphenylamine and dicloran was found only in one type. Most dicarboximide (e.g. iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin)-resistant strains were also weakly resistant to aromatic hydrocarbon fungicides (e.g. chloroneb, dicloran, tolclofos-methyl) but remained sensitive to phenylpyrroles (e.g. fenpiclonil, fludioxonil). However, in some other dicarboximide-resistant strains, resistance was observed either as being restricted to dicarboximides or as extending weakly to phenylpyrroles. Towards anilinopyrimidines (e.g. cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil), three resistant phenotypes have been identified. In the most resistant one, resistance was restricted to anilinopyrimidines, whereas in the others, resistance extended to various other groups of fungicides including dicarboximides, phenylpyrroles, sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (e.g. tolfanate, prochloraz, tebuconazole) and the hydroxyanilide derivative, fenhexamid. According to the pattern of cross-resistance, two phenotypes were characterized within these multifungicide-resistant strains. In vitro tests conducted with fenpropimorph, fenpropidin and spiroxamine, revealed the existence of strains highly susceptible to these sterol Δ¹⁴- reduction inhibitors. This property was correlated with a decreased sensitivity towards fenhexamid.     

Physicochemical and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber from different colored quinoa varieties (Chenopodium quinoa Willd)

As it is well documented that the phytochemical composition and bioactive profile of quinoa are influenced by different phenotypes, we analyzed the physicochemical and functional characteristics of different quinoa soluble dietary fiber (SDF). SDF was prepared through ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction from three colored quinoa brans. After purification, the yield of SDF from white (W-SDF), red (R-SDF) and black quinoa bran (B-SDF) was 2.2%, 5.7% and 5.9%, respectively. Compared with R-SDF and B-SDF, W-SDF had a higher molecular weight (1.72 × 10⁶ Da) and lower zeta-potential (- 32.16 mV), although their monosaccharide composition and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results showed no obvious differences. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) image suggested that R-SDF exhibited a more complex and loose structure than W-SDF and B-SDF. Moreover, R-SDF exhibited higher thermal stability, gel forming capacity, bile acid binding capacity, water-holding capacity and glucose adsorption capacity than those of B-SDF and W-SDF. Taken together, SDF extracted from quinoa especially from red quinoa might be a promising candidate for the development of novel functional food ingredients.     

Crop water use indicators to quantify the flexible phenology of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in response to drought stress

Models can play an important role in agricultural planning and management. Thermal time accumulation is a common way of describing phenological development in crop models, but the sensitivity of this concept to water stress is rarely quantified. The effect of pre-anthesis droughts on the timing of anthesis and physiological maturity was assessed for quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) var. ‘Santa Maria’, with the help of two field experiments (2005–2006 and 2006–2007) in the central Bolivian Altiplano. Various treatments with different sowing dates and irrigation applications were considered. To evaluate the effect of drought stress on crop development, drought stress during the first 60 days after sowing was assessed with three different stress indicators: the number of days that the soil water content of the root zone was above a threshold, the average relative transpiration, and the sum of daily actual transpiration, standardized for reference evapotranspiration (∑(T_a/ET₀)). The best indicator to quantify the effect of pre-anthesis drought stress on phenological development was ∑(T_a/ET₀) cumulated until 60 days after sowing. This indicator showed a significant logarithmic relation with the time to anthesis and time to physiological maturity. Correlations of the drought stress indicator with thermal time accumulation were better than with calendar time accumulation. Due to an effect of post-anthesis droughts, the correlations of the drought stress indicator with the time to anthesis were stronger than with the time to physiological maturity. It was also demonstrated that deficit irrigation can contribute to a better agricultural planning due to a better control of the phenological development of quinoa. The proposed relations can be used for modeling phenological development of quinoa in drought prone regions and for efficient deficit irrigation planning.     

Antifungal effect of Pimenta dioica essential oil against dangerous pathogenic and toxinogenic fungi

Essential oils from 25 species of medicinal plants were tested as mycelial growth inhibitors against six important pathogenic and toxinogenic fungal species. An agar dilution method was used for determination of the inhibitory effect namely on Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium verticillioides, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium brevicompactum, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. All essential oils used in our experiment evidently affected growth of these fungi. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated in the case of five essential oils showing the most significant antifungal activity. The superior antifungal activity was finally proved on the base of MIC values in the case of Pimenta dioica. The chemical composition of P. dioica essential oil was determined by means of GC–MS analysis.     

Antifungal activities of extracts produced by liquid fermentations of Chilean Stereum species against Botrytis cinerea (grey mould agent)

Extracts obtained from liquid mycelial fermentations of Chilean species of the Stereum genus showed antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea. Thirty-six strains were evaluated in vivo and in vitro assays, 25 belonging to Stereum hirsutum (Sh) and 11 to Stereum rameale (Sr). Two types of extracts were obtained: EtOAc-extract (liquid phase) and MeOH-extract (mycelial phase). Plate diffusion assay showed that EtOAc-extracts were more active than MeOH-extracts. S. hirsutum included 4 strains with the highest antifungal activity (Sh134-11, Sh144-11, Sh152-11, Sh155-11) and S. rameale highlighted with two strains (Sr25-11, Sr27-11). Effects on the mycelial growth of B. cinerea showed that EtOAc-extracts produced by S. hirsutum (Sh134-11, Sh152-11) inhibited from 1000 μg mL⁻¹, reaching 67 and 49%, respectively. At 2000 μg mL⁻¹, these strains inhibited nearly 80% of mycelial growth. EtOAc-extract of Sh134-11 was more effective to control the sporogenesis, inhibiting in 100% the sporulation at 500 μg mL⁻¹. Assays showed that Sh134-11 and Sh152-11 exhibited a minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 50 and 100 μg mL⁻¹ respectively and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 20 μg mL⁻¹. EtOAc-extracts of Sr25-11 and Sr27-11 showed MFC value at 100 μg mL⁻¹ and MIC at 20 and 50 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Strawberries treated with 1000 μg mL⁻¹of Sh134-11 and Sr25-11 reached 82 and 72% of decay inhibition, respectively. Treatments with 2000 μg mL⁻¹ showed a decay inhibition of 90% approximately. In vivo tests are in accordance with the results obtained in vitro assays, confirming the efficacy of Sh134-11 and Sr25-11 to control B. cinerea. Differences in antifungal activities observed in the different strains suggested that the ability to produce bioactive compounds is not homogenously distributed among S. hirsutum and S. rameale. Our study would suggest that submerged fermentations of Chilean S. hirsutum strain Sh134-11 produce extracts, which could be used as possible biofungicides and an alternative to synthetic fungicides.     

Moisture-dependent physical properties of Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) kernel

The moisture-dependent physical properties are important to design post harvest equipments of the product. The physical properties of Karanja kernel were evaluated as a function of moisture content in the range of 8.56–22.22% d.b. The average length, width, thickness and 1000 kernel mass were 25.29 mm, 15.58 mm, 7.88 mm and 1036.45 g, respectively, at moisture content of 8.56% d.b. The geometric mean diameter and sphericity increased from 14.55 to 15.97 mm and 0.57 to 0.6 as moisture content increased from 8.56 to 22.22% d.b., respectively. In the same moisture range, the bulk density decreased from 663 to 616 kg/m³, whereas the corresponding true density and porosity increased from 967 to 1081 kg/m³ and 31.44 to 43.02%, respectively. As the moisture content increased from 8.56 to 22.22% d.b., the angle of repose and surface areas were found to increase from 27.69 to 37.33° and 665.74 to 801.63 mm², respectively. The static coefficient of friction of Karanja kernel increased linearly against the surfaces of three structural materials, namely plywood (28.72%), mild steel sheet (29.88%) and aluminium (18.86%) as the moisture content increased from 8.56 to 22.22% d.b.     

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) protein hydrolysates with in vitro dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory and antioxidant properties

The potential of quinoa to act as a source of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory and antioxidant peptides was studied. A quinoa protein isolate (QPI) with a purity of 40.73 ± 0.90% was prepared. The QPI was hydrolysed at 50 °C for 3 h with two enzyme preparations: papain (P) and a microbial papain-like enzyme (PL) to yield quinoa protein hydrolysates (QPHs). The hydrolysates were evaluated for their DPP-IV inhibitory and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) activities. Protein hydrolysis was observed in the QPI control, possibly due to the activity of quinoa endogenous proteinases. The QPI control had significantly higher DPP-IV half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) and lower ORAC values than QPH-P and QPH-PL (P < 0.05). Both QPH-P and QPH-PL had similar DPP-IV IC₅₀ and ORAC values. QPH-P had a DPP-IV IC₅₀ value of 0.88 ± 0.05 mg mL⁻¹ and an ORAC activity of 501.60 ± 77.34 μmol Trolox equivalent (T.E.) g⁻¹. To our understanding, this is the first study demonstrating the in vitro DPP-IV inhibitory properties of quinoa protein hydrolysates. QPHs may have potential as functional ingredients with serum glucose lowering properties.     

Composition and physical properties of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) oils

The fatty acid profiles and tocopherol and phytosterol contents of crude oils of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) are reported, along with yields from the corresponding seeds. The physical properties of these oils were also determined, which included oxidative stability, kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, low temperature fluidity, specific gravity, acid value, lubricity, and iodine value. The oil content of dried cress and field pennycress seeds was 22.7 and 29.0 wt%, respectively. The primary fatty acids found in cress oil were oleic (30.6 wt%) and linolenic acids (29.3 wt%), whereas field pennycress oil was principally composed of erucic (32.8 wt%) and linoleic (22.4 wt%) acids. Cress oil contained high concentrations of γ- (1422 ppm) and δ- (356 ppm) tocopherols, whereas α-tocopherol (714 ppm) was the primary tocopherol discovered in field pennycress oil. The overall tocopherol concentrations of cress and field pennycress oils were 1799 and 851 ppm, respectively. The primary phytosterols elucidated in cress and field pennycress oils were sitosterol and campesterol, with avenasterol also present in significant quantity in cress oil. The total phytosterol concentration in cress oil (14.41 mg/g) was greater than that in field pennycress (8.55 mg/g) oil. Field pennycress oil exhibited excellent low temperature fluidity, whereas cress oil was more stable to oxidation and over a range of temperatures displayed lower kinematic viscosities as well as a higher viscosity index. The acid and iodine values of field pennycress oil were lower than those for cress oil, but both oils had excellent lubrication properties.     

Some physical properties of rough rice (Oryza Sativa L.) grain

Designing the equipment for processing, sorting, sizing and other post-harvesting equipment of agricultural products requires information about their physical properties. In this study, various physical properties of rough rice cultivars were determined at a moisture content of 10% (wet basis). In the case of Sorkheh cultivar, the average thousand grain weight, equivalent diameter, surface area, volume, sphericity, aspect ratio, true density, bulk density and porosity were 21.64 g, 3.35 mm, 31.76 mm², 20.27 mm³, 39.71%, 0.28, 1269.1 kg/m³, 544.34 kg/m³, and 56.98%, respectively. The corresponding values were 20.52 g, 3.4 mm, 32.58 mm², 21.06 mm³, 39.88%, 0.29, 1193.38 kg/m³, 471.21 kg/m³, and 60.37% for Sazandegi cultivar. For Sorkheh cultivar, the average static coefficient of friction varied from 0.2899 on glass to 0.4349 on plywood, while for Sazandegi cultivar the corresponding value varied from 0.2186 to 0.4279 on the same surfaces. Angle of repose values for Sorkheh and Sazandegi cultivars were 37.66° and 35.83°, respectively. Linear model for describing the mass of rough rice grain was investigated. Mass was estimated with single variable of kernel length with a determination coefficient as 0.862 for Sorkheh cultivar whereas for Sazandegi cultivar was as 0.860.     

Modifications of physicochemical and functional properties of amaranth protein isolate (Amaranthus cruentus BRS Alegria) treated with high-intensity ultrasound

The present study investigated the effects of high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) on the physicochemical and functional properties of amaranth protein isolates (API). Aqueous dispersions of API (10%) were continuously treated for 15 or 30 min with ultrasound equipment (100 W, 30 kHz) at 30, 60, and 90% amplitudes. The electrophoresis technique demonstrated no changes in the molar masses of the proteins. However, HIUS significantly increased the surface free sulfhydryl groups (SH) and changed the surface hydrophobicity, indicating a breakdown of internal links that maintained the native API structure. Ultrasound reduced the size of the particles in the aqueous dispersions of API, suggesting the dissociation of aggregates from API. The results showed that the solubility in most HIUS-treated API was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the native proteins at pH 7. The energy density of 50 J/cm³ provided the best-combined properties of emulsion formation and stability. These results suggest that HIUS is a useful technology to improve the functional properties of amaranth proteins.