Metabolite analyses of grain from maize hybrids grown in the United States under drought and watered conditions during the 2002 field season

Understanding natural variation in the composition of conventional crop germplasms is critical in establishing a baseline for comparison of biotechnology-derived crops. This is particularly relevant to such traits as tolerance to drought stress. Thus, there is both a need to understand the contribution of stress conditions to natural variation in plant nutritional components and to determine whether levels of small molecule metabolites such as osmoprotectants and stress metabolites are also affected. As a first step in developing such information for maize, seven conventional hybrids were grown under different moisture regimens and the impact of moisture on composition was assessed. The regimens included well-watered conditions, water restriction during the vegetative phase, and water restriction during grain fill. Compositional analyses of the harvested grain included assessments of the levels of proximates (moisture, protein, oil, starch) and small molecule metabolites such as fatty acids, free amino acids, organic acids, sugars, total glycerol, glycine betaine, and abscisic acid. Ranges for these analytes were determined across all moisture regimens, and the effect of the different water regimens on these analytes was also evaluated. The number and type of grain analytes that showed statistically significant differences in levels between different water regimens differed quite markedly by maize hybrid. However, the magnitude of mean differences between well-watered and water-restricted samples was typically small, and statistically significant differences for any given analyte were typically observed in only one to three of the seven maize hybrids. Only two analytes, free glutamine and free proline, showed a significant drought-induced difference in at least four maize hybrids.     

Dynamics of mycotoxin and Aspergillus flavus levels in aging Bt and non-Bt corn residues under Mississippi no-till conditions

Mycotoxin and Aspergillus flavus levels in soil-surface corn debris left by no-till agriculture methods (stover, cobs, and cobs with grain) were determined during the December-March fallow period for near-isogenic Bt and non-Bt hybrid corn. By December, average mycotoxin levels in non-Bt corn were many times higher in cobs with grain than in grain harvested in September (total aflatoxins, 774 vs 211 ng/g; total fumonisins, 216 vs 3.5 microg/g; cyclopiazonic acid, 4102 vs 72.2 microg/g; zearalenone, 0.2 vs < 0.1 microg/g). No trichothecenes were detected. Levels of mycotoxins and A. flavus propagules were approximately 10- to 50-fold lower in cobs without grain and stover, respectively, for all mycotoxins except zearalenone. Mycotoxin levels in corn debris fractions decreased during winter but began to rise in March. Levels of all mycotoxins and A. flavus propagules were lower in harvested grain and debris from Bt than non-Bt corn, but differences were significant (p < 0.05) only for aflatoxins.     

Limited survey of deoxynivalenol in wheat and corn in the United States

A limited survey was conducted over a 2-year period to determine the incidence and levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) in corn and wheat grown in selected areas of the United States. Samples of corn (198) and wheat (247) were collected and analyzed by a gas chromatographic method. Sixty-six percent of the corn samples collected in 1984 and 30% of the corn samples collected in 1985 contained DON. The average concentration of DON in corn, by state, ranged from 0.11 to 1.20 micrograms/g; the maximum concentration was 2.47 micrograms/g. Only 2 of the 247 samples of wheat contained DON at a concentration greater than 2 micrograms/g, which is the level of concern suggested by the Food and Drug Administration for wheat entering the milling process for human consumption.     

Reduction of fumonisin B1 in corn grits by single-screw extrusion

This study was designed to determine the efficacy of extrusion in reducing fumonisin B1 in corn flaking grits in the presence and absence of glucose. In addition, degradation products of fumonisin B1 during extrusion were identified and quantitated with a mass balance approach. Uncontaminated clean corn grits, grits spiked with 30 microg/g fumonisin B1, and grits fermented with Fusarium verticillioides M-2552 (40-50 microg/g fumonisin B1) were extruded in the presence and absence of glucose (10%, w/w) using a single-screw extruder. Extrusion decreased fumonisin B1 by 21-37%, whereas the same process with added glucose further decreased fumonisin B1 by 77-87%. LC-fluorescence and LC-MS showed that most fumonisin in the extruded samples without added glucose was the fumonisin B1 form, whereas the main degradation product in grits extruded with glucose was N-(deoxy- d-fructos-1-yl)fumonisin B1. The formation of hydrolyzed fumonisin B1 was not significant during extrusion. Results suggest that extrusion in the presence of glucose may reduce fumonisin B1 in corn grits significantly.     

Efficacy of a mycotoxin binder against dietary fumonisin, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone in rats

It was hypothesized that a mycotoxin binder, Grainsure E, would inhibit adverse effects of a mixture of fumonisin B1, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone in rats. For 14 and 28 days, 8-10 Sprague-Dawley rats were fed control diet, Grainsure E (0.5%), toxins (7 μg fumonisin B1/g, 8 μg of deoxynivalenol/g and 0.2 μg of zearalenone/g), toxins (12 μg of fumonisin B1/g, 9 μg of deoxynivalenol/g, and 0.2 μg of zearalenone/g + Grainsure E), or pair-fed to control for food intake of toxin-fed rats. After 28 days, decreased body weight gain was prevented by Grainsure E in toxin-fed female rats, indicating partial protection against deoxynivalenol and fumonisin B1. Two effects of fumonisin B1 were partly prevented by Grainsure E in toxin-fed rats, increased plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) and urinary sphinganine/sphingosine, but sphinganine/sphingosine increase was not prevented in females at the latter time point. Grainsure E prevented some effects of fumonisin B1 and deoxynivalenol in rats.     

Effect of essential oils on the growth of Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisin contamination in corn

Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation from local plants in Benin, western Africa, and oil from seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their efficacy against Fusarium verticillioides infection and fumonisin contamination. Fumonisin in corn was quantified using a fluorometer and the Vicam method. Oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum basilicum, and Ocimum gratissimum were the most effective in vitro, completely inhibiting the growth of F. verticillioides at lower concentrations over 21 days of incubation. These oils reduced the incidence of F. verticillioides in corn and totally inhibited fungal growth at concentrations of 8, 6.4, and 4.8 microL/g, respectively, over 21 days. At the concentration of 4.8 microL/g, these oils did not affect significantly fumonisin production. However, a marked reduction of fumonisin level was observed in corn stored in closed conditions. The oils adversely affected kernel germination at 4.8 microL/g and therefore cannot be recommended for controlling F. verticillioides on stored corn used as seeds, when used at this concentration. The oil of neem seeds showed no inhibitory effect but rather accelerated the growth of F. verticillioides.     

Effects of grain sampling procedures on fusarium mycotoxin assays in wheat grains

Fusarium mycotoxins are increasingly studied agronomically, chemically, and pathologically in the context of food safety, as a means of preventing new major health crises. Reliable mycotoxin techniques and sampling procedures are required for assessment of the effects of different sources of variation on grain mycotoxin content in agronomic experiments. Analyses were performed with the aim of formulating guidelines for grain sampling to increase the reliability of grain mycotoxin measurement in agronomic experiments. Two toxins in wheat samples, deoxynivalenol and nivalenol, were targeted. With a nested linear mixed model, it was estimated that the uncertainty of nivalenol determination was low (+/-15 microg/kg), whereas that for deoxynivalenol determination was higher (+/-38 microg/kg). It was also found that grinding of the grain decreased the variability of the results. Moreover, despite the heterogeneity in grain mycotoxin content across a given field, it was shown that heads can be harvested manually for agronomic experiments provided that sampling is representative (evenly distributed over the entire plot area). Finally, delaying the assay until after harvest was found to affect the results obtained and should therefore be avoided.     

Agricultural Composting in the United States

In the United States, more farms are composting than municipalities, commercial/institutional establishments, and other private sector groups combined. To obtain an overview of agricultural composting in the United States, industry, government, and university representatives from the top 10 beef and dairy cattle, poultry, and swine producing states were contacted between January and April of 1995. These states represent at least 70 percent of the nation's production of these commodities (except for beef cattle at 52 percent). The representatives provided information about the number of farms composting, the materials composted, composting methods, how the compost is used, and motivating and impeding factors for farms to compost. In addition, information was gathered concerning composting crop residues. In this case, specific applications of crop residue composting were identified and individuals knowledgeable about the applications were contacted for background information.

Note the estimated numbers of composting operations presented here represent a best attempt to quantify the composting activity taking place on various types of farms. In many cases, the numbers are rough estimates, based on the assessments of the representatives contacted in each state. Also, they only include the composting operations in the top 10 producing states. A considerable amount of composting occurs outside of these states. Therefore, Tables 1 and 2 underestimate the number of farms that compost.     

Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of commercial corn (Zea mays) hybrids in Mississippi

Resistance to mycotoxin contamination was compared in field samples harvested from 45 commercial corn (maize) hybrids and 5 single-cross aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines in years with high and moderate heat stress. In high heat stress, mycotoxin levels were (4.34 +/- 0.32) x 10(3) microg/kg [(0.95-10.5 x 10(3) microg/kg] aflatoxins and 11.2 +/- 1.2 mg/kg (0-35 mg/kg) fumonisins in commercial hybrids and 370 +/- 88 microg/kg (140-609 microg/kg) aflatoxins and 4.0 +/- 1.3 mg/kg (1.7-7.8 mg/kg) fumonisins in aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines. Deoxynivalenol was detected (one-fourth of the samples, 0-1.5 mg/kg), but not zearalenone. In moderate heat stress, mycotoxin levels were 6.2 +/- 1.6 microg/kg (0-30.4 microg/kg) aflatoxins and 2.5 +/- 0.2 mg/kg (0.5-4.8 mg/kg) fumonisins in commercial hybrids and 1.6 +/- 0.7 microg/kg (0-7 microg/kg) aflatoxins and 1.2 +/- 0.2 mg/kg (0.5-3.0 mg/kg) fumonisins in aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines. The results are consistent with heat stress playing an important role in the susceptibility of corn to both aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination, with significant reductions of both aflatoxins and fumonisins in aflatoxin-resistant germplasm lines.     

Conservation of Lepidoptera in the United States

The need to conserve United States populations of Lepidoptera has been recognised for a century, but intensive programmes to do so have only recently come into being. The evolution of the butterfly and moth conservation movement in the United States is followed from the earliest instances to the present state of progress. The origin and growth of the Xerces Society as the chief body for terrestrial arthropod conservation in America are described. Currently, ecological research and political action aimed at specific lepidopteran protection issues are under way. Several of these are examined and the most acute needs for further study and action indicated. Habitat alteration emerges dramatically as the chief problem in the decline of butterfly and moth populations. The relative importance of pesticides and overcollecting is discussed and reinforces the conclusion that the habitat is paramount. Introductions of organisms for purposes of conservation likewise receive consideration, showing this strategy to be problematical and subject to careful review prior to its use. The various levels of government as well as private bodies and individuals have distinct roles in insect conservation. Greater public awareness of beneficial insects must precede optimal effectiveness of conservation schemes. The appointment of an official federal insect conservator is announced along with his initial proposal for endangered species listings for certain North American butterflies. The prognosis for a national programme is suggested. Lepidoptera conservation in the United States has become a fully fledged movement with numerous successes and with many difficult problems to face. The situation is viewed with immediate alarm but cautious long-term optimism as well.     

Radionuclides in domestic and imported foods in the United States, 1983-1986

Findings in the Food and Drug Administration's Radionuclides in Foods program are summarized for samples collected between October 1, 1982, and September 30, 1986. All radionuclide findings for Total Diet and reactor samples were either in Action Range I or low in Range II of the surveillance and control recommendations given by the Federal Radiation Council. The only long-range trend noted was a continuation of the general decline in dietary intake of 90Sr since 1961. Imported food samples were analyzed for contamination after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The findings for imported foods indicate that the surveillance efforts successfully targeted contaminated foods, and that contamination levels were below levels of concern for all but one oregano and 3 cheese samples.     

The effects of in-row subsoil tillage and soil water on corn yields in the southeastern coastal plain of the United States

Soil erosion is a problem in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the U.S.A. where clean tillage row cropping exists without adequate soil conserving practices. Conservation tillage practices in the region have frequently incorporated in-row subsoiling to overcome root restricting soil layers 0.20 to 0.35 m below the surface. A number of studies have been conducted to determine the benefits of in-row subsoiling and results have been contradictory. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between in-row subsoil and non-subsoil tillage treatments, soil water, and corn grain yields.The study was conducted for two years on an Orangeburg sandy loam (Typic Paleudult). The study contained irrigated and non-irrigated treatments. The four tillage treatments used were (T₁) in-row subsoiler followed by a double disk bedder, (T₂) double disk bedder, (T₃) fluted coulter followed by in-row subsoiler and slot filler tines, and (T₄) fluted coulter. Tillage and planting were accomplished simultaneously. Each corn (Zea Mays L. ‘Dekalb XL72B’) crop was preceded by fall-planted wheat and the wheat (Triticum aestivium L. “Coker 747”) was killed with herbicides in the spring before corn planting. Wheat mulch was disked in prior to the bedding treatments and left undisturbed for the two fluted coulter treatments. Corn was planted 0.04 m deep with double disk openers. Soil water potential was maintained above 0.05 MPa in the irrigated corn plots. Forty kg/ha of N was applied at planting and followed 42 days later with eight weekly applications of 50 kg/ha N.In-row subsoiling and irrigation treatments significantly increased grain yields. Irrigated corn grain yields were 12333 and 7872 kg/ha in 1978 and 1979, respectively. Non-irrigated corn yields were 7697 and 4892 kg/ha in 1978 and 1979, respectively. In-row subsoiled to a depth of 0.36 m and non-subsoiled grain yields were 8577 and 7820 kg/ha, respectively. There was no significant difference between bedding and fluted coulter treatments.     

Content of some heavy metals in soil and corn grain

Abstract

In an attempt to find causes for lower than expected corn (Zea mays L.) production along the bottomlands of the Green and Pond Rivers in western Kentucky, corn fields were sampled for soil and corn grain to determine heavy metal content. Samples from sixteen carefully selected fields were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni content. Yield of corn was not related to either soil or grain content of these heavy metals. There was also no relationship between soil pH and heavy metal accumulation by grain or heavy metal accumulation by grain and soil content of heavy metals within the range of levels found. Soil contents of Cr, Pb, and Ni were within the range of values reported in the literature for uncontaminated soils. However, soil content of Cd was near or above the upper end of the ranges reported in the literature, even on control samples taken upstream from sites of potential heavy metal pollution. Karnak soils (fine, montmorillonitic, nonacid, mesic Vertic Haplaquepts), which are high in montmorillonitic clay content and have high cation exchange capacities, had higher Cd content than the other soils sampled. Except for two sites, grain Cd content was similar to values reported in the literature. Corn yields were found to be generally lower on Karnak soils than on other soils, raising the possibility that observed lower than expected yields are related to the poor physical characteristics of these soils rather than heavy metal pollutants in floodwaters.     

Simultaneous determination of fumonisin B(1) and hydrolyzed fumonisin B(1) in corn products by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous determination of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) and its major hydrolysis product (HFB(1)), which is known to be formed during alkaline treatment of fumonisin-containing corn meal, was devised to analyze the levels of these mycotoxins in corn products available on the German market. Liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry in combination with selected ion monitoring (SIM) was used for unambiguous detection of FB(1) and HFB(1) after extraction of samples with acetonitrile/methanol/water (25:25:50) and solid-phase C18 cleanup. Quantitation was carried out using labeled fumonisin FB(1)-D(6) as an internal standard. The detection limits achieved with this method were 8 ng/g for HFB(1) (signal-noise ratio = 5:1) and 5 ng/g for FB(1) (s/n = 5:1) using the protonated molecule signals m/z 406 and 722 in the SIM mode. A screening of several corn-containing foodstuffs, among them extrusion products and alkali-processed corn food such as tortilla chips, showed HFB(1) and FB(1) contamination with levels of 8-80 and 5-450 ng/g, respectively.     

Iron efficiency of different corn hybrids grown in nutrient solution culture

Growing Fe-efficient genotype(s) could be considered as a preferred genetic approach to tackle the widespread constraint of Fe-deficiency-/lime-induced chlorosis in crop grown on alkaline soil. This study aimed to investigate morphological and physiological traits linked to expression of Fe deficiency among four corn (Zea mays) including sweet (Z. mays sacchrata cvs. H403 and H404) and grain (Z. mays indentata cvs. H500 and H700) hybrids grown in nutrient solution using two Fe concentrations (5 and 50 µM Fe-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Fe-EDTA)). Significant variation was found among studied hybrids in their tolerance to Fe-deficiency stress. Sweet corn hybrids were more sensitive to Fe deficiency as compared with grain corn hybrids and greater reduction was observed in their shoot dry matter at the 5 µM Fe-EDTA treatment. The greatest decrease in plant height, leaf area, and root and shoot dry matter weight under Fe-deficiency condition was found for H403 hybrid. No significant correlation was found between shoot and root Fe concentration with crop tolerance to Fe deficiency. Furthermore, different response of corn hybrids to Fe deficiency is an important factor, which has to be considered in Fe fertilizer recommendation as well as breeding programs.     

Impacts of mercury contamination in the southeastern United States

Mercury (Hg) contamination from a variety of point and non-point sources, including atmospheric inputs, is currently considered to be the most serious environmental threat to the well being of fish and wildlife resources in the southeastern United States. Fish consumption advisories have been issued in all ten states comprising the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Southeast Region. Both freshwater and marine species have been affected with levels ranging as high as 7.0 ppm in some individuals. Many other species, including various species of reptiles, birds and mammals (including humans) are also contaminated. Impacts noted range from reproductive impairment to mortality.     

Fate of fumonisin B(1) in corn kernel steeping water containing SO(2)

Six 100 ppm fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) solutions were prepared by dissolving pure standard in six different solvents containing SO(2). Two of the solvents contained 0.2 or 0.4% SO(2) in distilled water. The other four solvents were obtained by steeping corn kernels at 60 degrees C in a 0.2% SO(2) aqueous solution for 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. After the addition of FB(1), all solutions were maintained at 60 degrees C for 7 days. Fumonisin B(1) content in each solution was determined in triplicate by HPLC. Steeping corn kernels in 0.2% solution at 60 degrees C for 6 h seems to be the most effective treatment to decrease the amount of FB(1).     

Phytosterol and tocopherol components in extracts of corn distiller's dried grain

As the ethanol industry continues to grow, it will become very important to develop value-added markets for its coproducts in order for the industry to remain profitable. Corn distiller's dried grain (DDG) is a major coproduct of ethanol fermentation from corn processed by dry-milling and is primarily sold as livestock feed. The objective of this research was to determine if valuable phytochemicals found in corn oil and corn fiber oil, such as phytosterols and their saturated equivalents, phytostanols, ferulate phytosterol esters (FPE), tocopherols, and tocotrienols, are retained in DDG. Hexane and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extracts of DDG were similar in their concentrations of total phytosterols (15.8-17.3 mg/g of extract), FPE (3.75-3.99 mg/g of extract), and tocols (1.7-1.8 mg/g of extract). Ethanol extracts were slightly lower in concentration of phytosterols (8.9-11.4 mg/g of extract), FPE (1.62-1.98 mg/g of extract), and tocols (0.73-0.76 mg/g of extract).