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Natural starch mainly consists of two forms of α-D-glucan, i.e. amylose and amylopectin. The ratio of these two components is not only related to gelatinization, retrogradation, gelation and other physicochemical properties and food functions of starch, but also determines the economic value of starch. This means, the quantification technologies of amylose/amylopectin ratio determination can be widely used in grain crop breeding, high-value utilization of starch and the quality assurance and innovation of food. In this paper, the diverse demands of the quantification of amylose/amylopectin ratio in the field of food science research and production are reviewed. The principles, pros and cons, and applications of various classic and novel quantitative technology of amylose/amylopectin ratio are reviewed and compared. The innovative application of the quantitative technology of amylose/amylopectin ratio in future food-related fields is also prospected.

Overcoming the challenges associated with achieving high uniformity and connectivity of pore channels in ceramic membranes, we designed silicon carbide ceramic membrane derived from the recrystallization process based on the Dinger-Funk equation of the closest-packing model with various grain grading. Furthermore, the effects of particle size distribution on the resulting microstructure and pore architecture of the ceramic membrane was also explored. The findings corroborated the critical importance of raw material particle size distribution in controlling pore size distribution and morphology. After sintering at 1900°C, the silicon carbide ceramic membrane, benefiting from ideal particle packing, exhibited a remarkably uniform pore structure. Notably, the most probable pore size constituted over 70 %, while achieving an open porosity of 51.3 % even without the addition of pore-forming agents. The silicon carbide ceramic membrane also demonstrated exceptional hydrophilicity (water contact angle:∼0°), impressive water permeation (1210 L m−2 h−1·bar−1), coupled with efficient turbidity removal (∼100 %) in carbon black wastewater treatment applications. Additionally, membrane regeneration proved effective using a dilute NaOH solution backwash, achieving a flux recovery efficiency of 98 %. This strategy had directive significance for designing high-performing silicon carbide ceramic membranes. [Display omitted] • Silicon carbide membranes based on the closest-packing model are prepared. • Silicon carbide membranes feature high porosity and superior hydrophilicity. • Efficiently separation capabilities of carbon black wastewater are achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The segmentation of metallographic images plays a key role in grain grading, but it is difficult to extract grains accurately using the traditional Chan-Vese (CV) model. To segment metallographic images more accurately, a metallographic image segmentation method based on an improved CV model was proposed. First, the level set function was initialized, and its reciprocal Canberra distance from inside and outside the curve was calculated. Then, these distances were used as weight coefficients of the fitting centers to restrain the influence of noise points on their accuracy. In addition, adding exponential entropy to adjust the energy inside and outside the curve reduces the influence of the fixed energy weight on the evolution of the curve. Lastly, to accelerate the convergence of the model, a distance-regularized term was introduced to avoid re-initialization of the level set function. The experimental results show that, compared with the traditional CV model, the geodesic active contour model, the distance-regularized level set evolution model, and the bias level correction level set model, the segmentation of the metallographic images based on the proposed model is more accurate and efficient, and the proposed model has better convergence.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the origin of wheat grown by different farming systems on the physicochemical properties and milling characteristics of grain. Four varieties of spring wheat from two growing years and cropped under Organic (OR), Integrated (IN) and Conventional (CO) management systems were included in this investigation. Grain from IN farming was characterized by the highest values for grain weight and diameter, and the lowest values for grain hardness and average particle size. The values for these parameters obtained for wheat from OR and CO farming systems were similar. Grinding energy indices showed that grain from the IN farming system was characterized by the lowest grinding energy requirements, whereas the energy requirement for size reduction of grain from OR and CO cropping was similar. Moreover, IN farming caused an increase in the milling efficiency index and the amount of phenolic acids in flour. The data showed that the studied farming systems influenced the results of grinding and milling by modifying the physicochemical properties of wheat grain during plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milling, physical and cooking quality of candidate hybrid varieties of fine and coarse rice category, were tested for their performance against the respective standards. In hybrid category, 58% candidates milling quality found excellent or good (head rice yield- HRY 51-70%), 23% marginal (HRY 40-50%) and 18% below limit (<40%). Physically, 60% samples were extra-long size, slender shape and coarse type. Nineteen percent samples were long or medium size but slender shape and coarse type as well. Whereas, 21% sample were short or medium size only. Regarding cooking quality, 60% samples were excellent or good and 30% were OK (poor quality). The cooking quality of 10% sample was very poor. Overall 50% candidate varieties were excellent or good and 16% were OK whereas only 23% were below standard limit. In fine category, milling quality of only 6% candidates was excellent or good. Both fine and coarse candidates showed 13% and 7%poor milling, while 80% and 69% were under limit respectively. Physically, 19% candidate's from fine category were long size (length 6.1-7.0 mm), considered good and 63% OK. However, 19% candidates were medium size (length 5.0-6.0 mm) below the respective standard (⩾ 6.1 mm). Cooking quality of fine category was OK. Overall grain quality of 6% samples graded excellent, 19% well or OK and 56% candidates were below standard. Physically, 7% candidates from coarse category were extra-long size, ranked well and 43% OK while15% was below the standard. Cooking quality of coarse candidates was OK however overall, 21% samples showed poor milling and physical and cooking quality and 36% did not meet the standard. Ratio of hybrid, fine and coarse candidates obtained for onward protocol was 43%, 24% and 0% respectively. The overwhelming of hybrid candidates with good quality indicates that they have common source, origin and or different brands of the same company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our country, in recent year, spring oats is one of the most cultivated small grain cereal, the surface being 175000 ha in 2015 and 180000 ha in 2014. Among the varieties of spring oats from this experience there are genetically differences (F = 149,007 ***) in terms of productive level. Duncan's ranking put on the first place variety Mureşana with an average production of 5368 kg/ha in 2016. Mureşana variety represents a genetically progress in comparison with Mureş (4559 kg/ha) considering that is a reselection of it. Number of seed/m2 increase spring oats production in average with 599 kg/ha. Between spring oat varieties exist differences concerning the nitrogen fertilization response, emphasizing in particular Mureşana which obtained comparable productions on both levels of fertilization: 5563 kg/ha on the dose N100P50K0 and 5182 kg/ha on dose N50P50K0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Heshan, a city in Southwest China, has been built over an old coal mining area. Due to low level of reclamation, coal gangue had been stacked in large heaps and caused geological environmental problems. To facilitate designing management project of coal gangue, we made an investigation of the largest coal gangue heap in Dongkuang Mine of Heshan. Firstly, the grain composition of coal gangue was estimated through the sieving method, then the representative grading curve was drawn through the statistics method of coarse grain content, and lastly the relationship between the repose angle and grain grading was studied by piling up coal gangue with different mix proportion. The result indicates that there is a wider range of grain size in the upper part of coal gangue heap, and the representative grain grading is well graded and easy to be compacted as filling materials. Besides, the wavy relationship curve of repose angle and coarse grain content shows that the content of 70% is the inflection point of ascent stage and 85% the inflection point of descent stage of the repose angle. What's more, the repose angle corresponding to the representative grading of coal gangue is approximately 38.4° and this has guiding significance for management project of coal gangue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ar/Ar step-heating data were collected from micron to submicron grain-sizes of correlative illite- and muscovite-rich Cambrian pelitic rocks from the western United States that range in metamorphic grade from the shallow diagenetic zone (zeolite facies) to the epizone (greenschist facies). With increasing metamorphic grade, maximum ages from Ar/Ar release spectra decrease, as do total gas ages and retention ages. Previous studies have explained similar results as arising dominantly or entirely from the dissolution of detrital muscovite and precipitation/recrystallization of neo-formed illite. While recognizing the importance of these processes in evaluating our results, we suggest that the inverse correlation between apparent age and metamorphic grade is controlled, primarily, by thermally activated volume diffusion, analogous to the decrease in apparent ages with depth observed for many thermochronometers in borehole experiments. Our results suggest that complete resetting of the illite/muscovite Ar thermochronometer occurs between the high anchizone and epizone, or at roughly 300 °C. This empirical result is in agreement with previous calculations based on muscovite diffusion parameters, which indicate that muscovite grains with radii of 0.05-2 μm should have closure temperatures between 250 and 350 °C. At high anchizone conditions, we observe a reversal in the age/grain-size relationship (the finest grain-size produces the oldest apparent age), which may mark the stage in prograde subgreenschist facies metamorphism of pelitic rocks at which neo-formed illite/muscovite crystallites typically surpass the size of detrital muscovite grains. It is also approximately the stage at which neo-formed illite/muscovite crystallites develop sufficient Ar retentivity to produce geologically meaningful Ar/Ar ages. Results from our sampling transect of Cambrian strata establish a framework for interpreting illite/muscovite Ar/Ar age spectra at different stages of low-grade metamorphism and also illuminate the transformation of illite to muscovite. At Frenchman Mtn., NV, where the Cambrian Bright Angel Formation is at zeolite facies conditions, illite/muscovite Ar/Ar data suggest a detrital muscovite component with an apparent age ≥967 Ma. The correlative Carrara Fm. is at anchizone conditions in the Panamint and Resting Spring Ranges of eastern California, and in these locations, illite/muscovite Ar/Ar data suggest an early Permian episode of subgreenschist facies metamorphism. The same type of data from equivalent strata at epizone conditions (greenschist facies) in the footwall of the Bullfrog/Fluorspar Canyon detachment in southern Nevada reveals a period of slow-to-moderate Late Cretaceous cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor stands of camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz., Brassicaceac] usually result from poor seedbed conditions or unfavorable environmental conditions. A 2-yr field study was conducted under dryland conditions near Huntley, MT to evaluate the effects ofstand reduction at rosette and bolting growth stages on camelina grain yield and quality and to determine if camelina has compensatory ability for grain yield after a stand loss. Camelina exhibited tremendous compensatory ability to maintain grain yield across a wide range ofplant populations. Stand reduction up to 50% either at rosette or at bolting stage had no effect on grain yield over 2 yr. A 90% stand reduction reduced grain yield by 50% when it occurred at bolting, but only 19% when stand was reduced at rosette stage. In general, stand reduction treatments increased seed protein content while reducing seed oil content. This change in protein and oil content was consistent and greater for bolting stage stand reduction treatments. Stand reduction resulted in reduced plant height and delayed plant maturity, however the response was not consistent over years and stand reduction treat- ments. Stand reduction at rosette stage had little effect on camelina maturity (1-2 d), while stand reduction at bolting stage delayed maturity up to 6 d. This implies that stand loss due to hail damage or other environmental conditions at bolting or later growth stages may cause delayed and uneven maturity which may result in harvesting problems and/or increased shattering losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain texture is an important trait in corn (Zea mays L.) grain quality, influencing grain shipping and processing characteristics, susceptibility to insects, and flour cooking properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate anatomical and physiological factors affecting corn grain texture for three corn types differing in endosperm texture (Dent corn with floury-textured endosperm, and popcorn and sweet corn with vitreous-textured endosperm). The endosperm cell number and size, diameter of starch granules and the distribution of starch granules and protein bodies during grain development were determined. The levels ofprotein, starch and soluble sugar, and the arrangement of starch granule in mature grains were evaluated. There were significant genotypic differ- ences (P < 0.05), but no significant year effects (P> 0.05) on any of those parameters. At mature stage, a genotype x year interaction was detected only for protein content. The percentage of vitreous endosperm ranged from 39 to 100% in 2004 and from 41 to 100% in 2005. Grain texture was positively associated with the levels ofprotein (r = 0.684, P ⩽ 0.134) and soluble sugar (r = 0.992, P ⩽ 0.0001), and negatively associated with starch level (r = -0.627, P⩽0.182), endosperm cell number (r = -0.814, P ⩽ 0.049), endosperm cell length (r = -0.971, P⩽0.001) and width (r = -0.967, P ⩽ 0.002), starch granule diameter (r = -0.868, P ⩽ 0.025). Our results indicated that the vitreous texture ofcorn grains was associated with the presence of sugar-starch compound, protein bodies and proteinaceous matrix, and well-organized starch granules in the endosperm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereals constitute a food staple in the African bread (Ugali) form. Overdependence on maize as a predominant staple is partly blamed on the constricting indigenous cereal phyto-diversity. Strategies rekindling interest in their restoration remain few and disconnected. Thus, the objectives were to: (1) search for micronutrient density information among accessions of sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet and maize on the basis of 'where-they-were-as they-were' (free-call diversity); (2) determine micronutrient densities linked to eco-nutrametric variation for distinguishing differences among accessions. The accessions were collected in 2003/04 from the Bungoma-Maseno-Kibwezi (BMK) phyto-regions and subjected to Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. A nested design was used for sampling in which the cereal species were nested within sites and sites nested within phyto-regions. For each accession with its soil, a gamut of element concentrations was XRF-generated. The data were subjected to a Clustered Bar Graphing (CBG) test for identifying variation-picking element(s). By CBG test, a given element's concentration data range was placed along the X-axis upon which species/accessions' density categories along the Y-axis were graphed as series in rows giving way to density variation comparisons. Where no such density variations were visible, the element was disregarded as non-variation-picking. The CBG test revealed that all accessions were 'imperfect' in that none of them had the gamut elements (density as subject score) inall- top or in-all-low density, i.e. none of the accessions scored high 'As' or low 'Cs' in every elemental density case. This implied that a phenotypic characterization as a whole would have required describing an accession in as different (number of) ways as the number of the variation-picking elements included. A soil-to-plant mineral flow (elemental uptake-ability or EU) was further calculated as a single value [plant ppm]/[soil] x 100. In sorghum the EUs were as follows: 2.4% for Fe (in accession tC74), 211% for Zn (in tC65), 332% for Cu (in tC36) and 408% for K in (tC70). The CBG test among the cereal accessions is invaluable for distinguishing within and between accessions in respect of their single element uptake-ability. A single nutrametric value (NMV) or grade, on the other hand, appears useful in describing a nutrametric phenotypic variant as it bypasses the genotype-environment interaction dilemma. Its robustness is its ability to distinguish various phenotypic mineral micronutrient diversity grading and offers opportunities for mineral micronutrient mapping across phyto-regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Jongnambyeo", a new japonica rice cultivar(Oryza sativa L.), is a mid-late maturing ecotype developed by the rice breeding team of National Yeongnam Agricultural Experiment Station(NYAES) in 2001 and released in 2002. This variety originated from the cross of Milyang96/YR12734-B-B-22-2(in 1991/1992 winter) and was selected by means of a mixed method of bulk and pedigree breeding. The pedigree of Junambyeo, Milyang 169 designated in 1999, was YR15161-B-B-B-57-2-3. It has about 79cm in culm length and tolerant to lodging. And this variety is resistant to bacterial leaf blight(K1), stripe virus and moderately resistant to leaf blast disease. Milled rice kernels of "Jongnambyeo" is translucent with non-glutinous endosperm and clear in chalkness and good at eating quality in pannel test. The yield potential of "Jongambyeo" in milled rice is about 5.60MT/ha at ordinary fertilizer level of local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to the Yeongnam plain and southern coastal of Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A high-speed, low-cost, image-based sorting device was developed to detect and separate grains having slight color differences or small defects. The device directly combines a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) color image sensor with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) which was programmed to execute image processing in real-time, without the need of an external computer. Spatial resolution of the imaging system is approximately 16pixels/mm. The system includes three image sensor/FPGA combinations placed around the perimeter of a single-file stream of kernels, so that most of the surface of each kernel is be inspected. A vibratory feeder feeds kernels onto an inclined chute that kernels slide down in a single-file manner. Kernels are imaged immediately after dropping off the end of the chute and are diverted by activating an air valve. The system has a throughput rate of approximately 75kernels/s per channel which is much higher than previously developed image inspection systems. This throughput rate corresponds to an inspection rate of approximately 8kg/h of wheat and 40kg/h of popcorn. The system was initially developed to separate white wheat from red wheat, and to remove popcorn having blue-eye damage, which is indicated by a small blue discoloration in the germ of a popcorn kernel. Testing of the system resulted in accuracies of 88% for red wheat and 91% for white wheat. For popcorn, the system achieved 74% accuracy when removing popcorn with blue-eye damage and 91% accuracy at recognizing good popcorn. The sorter should find uses for removing other defects found in grain, such as insect-damaged grain, scab-damaged wheat, and bunted wheat. Parts for the system cost less than $2000, suggesting that it may be economical to run several systems in parallel to keep up with processing plant rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is the most serious disease affecting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) because of its impact on yield and grain quality and its associated mycotoxin accumulation. This study was conducted (1) to develop efficient methods to evaluate varietal resistance against fungal spread after infection, (2) to investigate varietal differences in resistance to FHB infection, FHB spread, and mycotoxin accumulation in 23 Asian varieties, and (3) to analyze relations among FHB-resistant types. Inoculation of Fusarium graminearum isolate, causing virulence to detached spikes, enabled evaluation of FHB spread in a shorter period and smaller space than conventional methods. Among the varieties, the FHB spread differed significantly. 'Sumai 3' and its derivatives showed higher resistance to FHB spread than other varieties. The FHB spread showed no significant correlation with FHB infection. It showed significant positive correlation with DON, but some varieties with high resistance to FHB spread showed moderately high DON. Results show that improved methods to evaluate FHB spread can be effective to screen numerous materials. The FHB resistance of western Japanese varieties depends mainly on resistance to FHB spread. For development of FHB resistant varieties, due attention should be devoted to DON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cites a study from Canada regarding methods and issues of detection of deoxynivalenol, Fusarium-damaged kernels, and Fusarium species in commercial grain. Variation in requirements for technical investment in destructive wet methods; Advantages of nondestructive techniques; Considerations for selection of an approach.

In situ investigations of lateritic cobble slopes have demonstrated that where the grain orientation is more uniform, the anisotropy is more obvious. Grain orientation will also affect the slope gradient and slope surface. The slope forms an escarpment when the intersection between the cobble orientation strike and the slope surface ranges between 90 and 180°. By contrast, there is a dip-slope geometry when the angle of intersection is 0°. The slope gradient increases and has an angle of 50 to 80° when the intersected angle ranges from 0 to 180°. The results indicate a positive relationship between these two factors. The slope grade will increase when the disk and bladed grain shape of the cobbles increase their percentage relative to the material composition. On the other hand, the slope gradient decreases when the proportion of equant and roller grain shapes of cobble increase in the composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of selection using three indirect tests for grain quality on grain yield and dough, and baking properties, measured as alveograph strength, alveograph tenacity/extensibility ratio and loaf volume. The three tests were flour protein content, flour sedimentation and high molecular weight glutenin subunits. Of the indirect tests used for grain quality, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-sedimentation allowed the highest intensity of selection for a combined trait index of the target grain quality and grain yield characteristics. The top 48% of the material could be retained on the basis of SDS-sedimentation, resulting in retention of atleast two-thirds of the top 10% of genotypes for the combined trait index. Flour protein percentage, a weighted high molecular weight glutenin index and an index combining all the indirect tests — flour protein, SDS-sedimentation and high molecular weight glutenins — gave selection intensities of 61%, 64% and 55%, respectively, for the combined trait index. If the objective of selection is dough strength alone, then a weighted index of all indirect traits (flour protein, SDS-sedimentation and high molecular weight glutenins) provided the highest selection intensity (26%). Other selection intensities for individual target traits were 24% for the prediction of loaf volume from flour protein, 40% for the prediction of tenacity/extensibility ratio using SDS-sedimentation and 68% for the prediction of grain yield using SDS-sedimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landraces of tetraploid and hexaploid wheat front the Northern Negev in Israel were evaluated over two years for their grain quality attributes. Twenty- one population of tetraploid wheat (Triticum durum, represented by 56 accessions) and 8 populations of hexaploid wheat (T. aestivum and T. compactum, represented by 13 accessions) were compared with 3 and 4 modern improved Israeli cultivars of tetraploid and hexaploid wheat, respectively. This comparison allowed to estimate the progress made in the improvement of grain quality in present-day cultivars. Except for grain protein content in the hexaploids, significant variation was revealed among landraces in kernel weight, protein content (tetraploids), sedimentation, mixograph score and carotin content. The best modern cultivars were comparable to the best landraces in kernel weight and carotin content (tetraploids), indicating that modern wheat breeding maximized kernel weight and carotin content, as compared with the tested landraces. Grain protein content and/or quality was not maximized in modem cultivars and its improvement was deemed possible by introgression from the best landraces in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of using locally synthesized powders in the development of high-purity and liquid-phase-sintered (LPS) aluminas, for potential use as ceramics in erosive wear environments, was explored. The principal purpose of the project was the development of processing philosophies for alumina-based ceramics that meet the dual, and usually conflicting needs, for improved properties at lower cost, with special attention to the Western Australian mining industry. The incorporation of glassy grain-boundary phases via sintering additives makes the achievement of low-cost LPS aluminas possible, but also threatens to compromise properties. Sintering behaviour, phase assemblage, microstructural evolution and mechanical properties were explored as key variables in this goal. The results indicate that the locally sourced alumina and mineral additives can be combined to produce LPS aluminas which are comparable in mechanical performance to currently-available commercial LPS alumina ceramics. © 1998 Chapman & Hall [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts of marketing articles related to marketing farm products. They include "Hedging: An Insurance Medium in Marketing Agricultural Commodities," "The Service of Federal Grain Standards and Grain Grading Primer," and "Farmer's Produce Markets in the United States."

Features the United States Marketing Research Laboratory at Manhattan, Kansas. Working on the development of a technology for a total quality grain marketing system; Plant genetic studies and breeding; Grain quality evaluation; Advances in crop pest management; Baking a better loaf; Grain grading.

Reports on the use of a machine called a gravity table in assessing grain quality. Separation of low-protein wheat kernels; Previous use in separating kernels unsuitable for planting.