Development and Characterization of Extruded Broken Rice and Lupine (<i>Lupinus albus</i>)

Mixtures of cereals and legumes result in products with higher content of high biological value proteins. The thermoplastic extrusion promotes the transformation of chemical, physical and nutritional characteristics of the food such as starch gelatinization and promotes the inactivation of anti-nutritional compounds and enzymes. This study aimed to develop products extruded using broken rice and lupine and to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of those products. The expansion index (EI), water solubility (WSI), water absorption (WAI), texture and color were determined for the extruded rice, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the extruded rice was also performed. As the rice concentration in the mixture increased, the EI, WSI and WAI values as well as the a* color parameter were increased too, and the brightness was reduced. An increase in the levels of essential amino acids with the addition of lupine grain to the extrudates was observed. SEM analysis identified intact loose starch granules or pellets in the raw materials, and the extruded samples showed a compact and amorphous shape without apparent starch granules. Due to the structural changes and reduced expansion rate of the extruded mixture prepared with lupine and rice grits, use of the extruded mixtures as snacks would not be suitable. However, these mixtures could be used in pre-gelatinized flour to formulate various products to increase the protein level.

Decomposition of the interaction of common black bean group genotypes with the environment

The purpose of this paper was to assess which environmental factor(s) (location, sowing season or years) in the common black bean genotypes interaction was more expressive and to verify the existence of genotypes with broad and/or specific adaptations to sowing season. Data of grain yield of thirteen genotypes were tested in twelve trials of value of cultivation and use during 2003 and 2004 in the south-central region of Brazil. Analyses of variance were performed with the decomposition of genotypes × environments interaction, which allowed a partial isolation of factors, and subsequently, eight trials were used which allowed a complete isolation of factors. The most important interactions were genotypes × years (R2 = 2.5%) and genotypes × locations (R2 = 1.9%), while genotypes × sowing seasons was the least important (R2 = 1.4%). Thus, it is more important to evaluate the genotypes in different locations and years than at different seasons. Most genotypes showed wide adaptation, but some lines showed strong specific adaptation.

Effect of applying a calcined kaolin-based particle film on the photosynthetic capacity and growth of young eucalyptus plants

In scenarios of climatic change when increased global temperatures can be expected,it is essential to search for technologies that favor sapling survival and growth after planting and increase yield in the field.Kaolin-based particle films(KBPF)have been applied as barriers against the deleterious effects of high levels of solar radiation.The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of applying purified calcined kaolin-based particle film to young eucalyptus plants.Five treatments were carried out:0%(just water),3%,5%,7%,and 10%calcined kaolin applied to the adaxial part of the leaves.A complete randomized block design was used with five treatments and ten replicates.The plants were assessed for height,diameter at ground level,gas exchanges(net photosynthetic CO_(2) assimilation,stomatal conductance and transpiration),instantaneous(WUE)and intrinsic water use efficiency(IWUE),chlorophyll a fluorescence(maximum quantum yield of photosystem II(PSII)(Fv/Fm),concentration of active reaction centers in relation to the quantity of photons absorbed(RC/ABS)and the maximum ratio of quantum yields of photochemical and concurrent non-photochemical processes in PSII(Fv/F0),SPAD reading and leaf ontogeny.The 3%KBPF concentration showed the best responses in biometric assessments 80 days after planting(DAP)and were corroborated by the responses of the leaf,stem and shoot dry matter production as a whole.The leaf ontogeny assessments showed positive responses following KBPF application when considering leaf development,with 7%KBPF concentration resulting in the highest mean values.The mean specific leaf mass had negative response to high KBPF concentrations.At 60 DAP,the gas exchange variables during both assessment periods declined with an increase in KBPF concentration.Significant differences as a result of KBPF applications were found only at the start of the assessments(34 DAP)for both WUE and for IWUE.Leaf‘greenness’(SPAD reading)at 47 days showed a quadratic relationship in both periods.The variables of chlorophyll fluorescence showed a linear response at 34 DAP and a quadratic response 60 DAP.KBPF application increased height and diameter growth in plants treated with 3%KBPF but this response was not associated with photochemical efficiency and photosynthetic carbon assimilation values on a single-leaf basis.The best performance among the variables was provided by 3%KBPF application.

Whole-genome sequencing to detect mutations associated with resistance to insecticides and Bt proteins in Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm(FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda,is a major pest native to the Americas that has recently invaded the Old World.Point mutations in the target-site proteins acetylcholinesterase-1(ace-1),voltage-gated sodium channel(VGSC)and ryanodine receptor(RyR)have been identified in S.frugiperda as major resistance mechanisms to organophosphate,pyrethroid and diamide insecticides respectively.Mutations in the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter C2 gene(ABCC2)have also been identified to confer resistance to Cry IF protein.In this study,we applied a whole-genome sequencing(WGS)approach to identify point mutations in the target-site genes in 150 FAW individuals collected from China,Malawi,Uganda and Brazil.This approach revealed three amino acid substitutions(A201S,G227A and F290V)of S.frugiperda ace-1,which are known to be associated with organophosphate resistance.The Brazilian population had all three ace-1 point mutations and the 227A allele(mean frequency=0.54)was the most common.Populations from China,Malawi and Uganda harbored two of the three ace-1 point mutations(A201S and F290V)with the 290V allele(0.47-0.58)as the dominant allele.Point mutations in VGSC(T929I,L932F and L1014F)and RyR(I4790M and G4946E)were not detected in any of the 150 individuals.A novel 12-bp insertion mutation in exon 15 of the ABCC2 gene was identified in some of the Brazilian individuals but absent in the invasive populations.Our results not only demonstrate robustness of the WGS-based genomic approach for detection of resistance mutations,but also provide insights for improvement of resistance management tactics in S.frugiperda.