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Traffic assessment is extremely important for the performance evaluation of vehicle-flow on a road network. This paper presents an assessment of traffic flow on the busiest road i.e., First Ring Road located at the central area of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. In this paper, the assessment of traffic-flow is performed by evaluating and analyzing the traffic on First Ring Road. This includes investigating the number of vehicles entering and exiting the central area through First Ring Road, the arrangements of the road, percentage of traffic entering versus exiting, etc. In addition, a new model for the traffic distribution along the roads intersecting with First Ring Road was built based on optimization. Our optimization model was formulated as a minimization problem of the difference between the measured number of vehicles and the sum of portions of vehicles from all entrances of First Ring Road that move out from each road. A simulation program was developed using Matlab to solve the optimization model. The simulation results show good agreement with the corresponding measurement data of vehicles at First Ring Road. Thus, our model can be used as a prediction model of vehicle movements. Keywords : traffic congestion; Hajj; traffic network model; optimization

The Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less [synonym: Centrapalus pauciflorus] Compositae, is a source of naturally epoxidized oil. Its commercial use is limited due to presence of a lipase enzyme that produces high free fatty acid levels in vernonia oil. The genomic information and the gene expression patterns of lipase in vernonia has not been studied in detail. The objectives of our studies were to construct a complementary DNA (cDNA) library from vernonia seed to identify expressed sequence tags (ESTs) related to various plant functions. We were successful in constructing a cDNA library from seed tissues of vernonia. A total of 1325 cDNA clones were randomly sequenced and analyzed. A total of 97 high-quality ESTs with an average length of 400 bp were generated. These ESTs indicated the existence of genes involved in varied functions such as defense, protein processing, transcription, translation, signal transduction, and secondary metabolism. Out of the total EST sequences, there were 129 ESTs containing simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from which 63 SSR primer pairs were designed. It is the first transcriptome report from the vernonia that has generated ESTs as well as EST derived SSR markers capable of being used in future oil quality, transformation and germplasm characterization studies.

Few studies have evaluated vegetable soybean (Glycine max [L]. Merr.) for green pod yield and individual and total sugar when harvested at green pod stage (R6 to R7). The purpose of this research was to assess the amount of genetic variation that existed among vegetable soybeans for green pod yield (GPY), hundred pod weight (HPW), pod length (PL), plant height (PH), and individual sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose) and total sugar, and to determine the association of GPY with the individual and total sugars. Thirty-one vegetable soybean genotypes from maturity groups (MGs) III, IV, V, and VI were planted at Virginia State University Research Farm during 1996,1997, and 1998. Each genotype was harvested at green pod stage. There was substantial genetic variation for GPY, PH, and PL as indicated by relatively large genotypic variance components. Heritability (h2) estimates of 0.85, 0.68, 0.81, and 0.85 were observed for GPY, HPW, PL, and PH, respectively. These high h2 est...

Sickle cell anemia (HbSS) includes chronic inflammation, but the origin is unclear. We hypothesized that in stable HbSS patients the inflammation was associated with hypermetabolism. We compared selected hypermetabolic and key immunomodulator indicators in HbSS versus control children and examined associations between measures of hypermetabolism and inflammation. Twelve fasting asymptomatic HbSS children 6-12 years and 9 controls matched for age, gender and fat mass (FM) were studied. Proportional reticulocyte count (retic%) and resting energy expenditure (REE) represented hypermetabolism, and C-reactive protein (CRP) indicated inflammation. Proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and energy balance cytokine leptin were measured. Methods were indirect calorimetry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and radioimmunoassay. Statistical analysis included simple correlation and regression analysis. REE (51 +/- 6 vs. 43 +/- 12 kcal/kg per fat-free mass (FFM), mean +/- SD), retic% (12 +/- 4 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.3%), CRP (5 +/- 3 vs. 0.3 +/- 0.4 mg/liter), and IL-6 (71 +/- 40 vs. 20 +/- 7 pg/ml) were significantly higher for HbSS than controls (P0.05). Conversely, leptin (0.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 2 +/- 1 microg/liter per kgFM) and MCP-1 (34 +/- 5 vs. 41 +/- 4 pg/ml) were significantly lower for the HbSS subjects (P0.01). TNF-alpha was not significantly different. There were no significant associations between REE or retic% and any cytokine measured. However, CRP was significantly associated with REE in HbSS (r = 0.8, P = 0.003) and an important predictor of REE/FFM. We provide new evidence for low circulating levels of inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 in stable HbSS children, confirm mostly low cytokine levels, inflammation, and hypermetabolism and demonstrate association of hypermetabolism with inflammation via CRP but not via cytokines.

The effects of soybean isoflavones with or without probiotics on tissue fat deposition, plasma cholesterol, and steroid and thyroid hormones were studied in SHR/N-cp rats, an animal model of obesity, and were compared to lean phenotype. We tested the hypothesis that probiotics by promoting the conversion of isoflavone glycosides to their metabolically active aglycone form will have a synergistic effect on body fat, cholesterol metabolism, and the endocrine system. Obese and lean SHR/N-cp rats were fed AIN-93 diets containing 0.1% soy isoflavone mixture, 0.1% probiotic mixture, or both together. Different fat tissues were teased and weighed. Plasma was analyzed for cholesterol and steroid and thyroid hormones. In both phenotypes, isoflavones lowered fat deposition in several fat depots. Probiotics alone had no significant effect on fat depots. Isoflavones lowered total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol in lean rats, but in obese rats isoflavones lowered only total and LDL cholesterol. Isoflavones also lowered many of the steroid hormones involved in lipid metabolism but had no significant effect on thyroid hormones. Probiotics had no significant effect on cholesterol or hormones. Thus, our data show that soy isoflavones also lower plasma cholesterol and that this hypocholesterolemic effect appears to be due in part to the modulation of steroid hormones. Probiotics do not seem to enhance the effect of isoflavones.

In plants, Glycoside Hydrolase (GH) Family 1 beta -glycosidases are believed to play important roles in many diverse processes including chemical defense against herbivory, lignification, hydrolysis of cell wall-derived oligosaccharides during germination, and control of active phytohormone levels. Completion of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome sequencing project has enabled us, for the first time, to determine the total number of Family 1 members in a higher plant. Reiterative database searches revealed a multigene family of 48 members that includes eight probable pseudogenes. Manual reannotation and analysis of the entire family were undertaken to rectify existing misannotations and identify phylogenetic relationships among family members. Forty-seven members (designated BGLU1 through BGLU47 ) share a common evolutionary origin and were subdivided into approximately 10 subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis and consideration of intron-exon organizations. The forty-eighth member of this family ( At3g06510; sfr2 ) is a beta -glucosidase-like gene that belongs to a distinct lineage. Information pertaining to expression patterns and potential functions of Arabidopsis GH Family 1 members is presented. To determine the biological function of all family members, we intend to investigate the substrate specificity of each mature hydrolase after its heterologous expression in the Pichia pastoris expression system. To test the validity of this approach, the BGLU44 -encoded hydrolase was expressed in P. pastoris and purified to homogeneity. When tested against a wide range of natural and synthetic substrates, this enzyme showed a preference for beta -mannosides including 1,4- beta -D-mannooligosaccharides, suggesting that it may be involved in A. thaliana in degradation of mannans, galactomannans, or glucogalactomannans. Supporting this notion, BGLU44 shared high sequence identity and similar gene organization with tomato endosperm beta -mannosidase and barley seed beta -glucosidase/ beta -mannosidase BGQ60.

Genetic information on combining ability and the type of gene action that governs the inheritance of economically important quantitative characters can be an immense help to the breeder. Such information can assists the plant breeders in selection of suitable parents and the appropriate breeding procedure. Therefore, a 7 × 7 diallel analysis of combining ability of three nutritional components in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were conducted. The aim of the study was to obtain information on the inheritance of traits and to identify best parents for hybridization. This study showed that estimates of both the combining ability (general and specific), and reciprocal variances were significant for both protein and tannin content, whereas only reciprocal variance was significant for phytate. The protein and tannin ratios of the general to specific combining ability variances were 1.0 and 2.0, respectively. These values indicated that both additive and non-additive genetic variances are important in the inheritance of protein. However, the magnitude of general combining ability of tannin was higher than the specific combining ability variance, indicating the predominant role of additive genetic variance. The performance of the parents for percent protein content was highly associated with their general combining ability effects. The three parents, BBL 254 (P7), PI 300657 (P4), and BBL 290 (P3) were good general combiners for protein and, thus, could be utilized for breeding high protein genotypes. The best combiners for tannins were BBL 254, BBL 290, N80097 (P5), and Eagle (P1). The best specific combinations for protein were PI 300657 × PI 304833 (P4 × P6), Eagle × PI 304833 (P1 × P6), Eagle × N80097 (P1 × P5), Pinto 111 × PI 300657 P2 × P4), and Eagle × BBL 290 (P1 × P3). Lower tannin content was observed in white-seeded genotypes compared to black or pinto beans. Reciprocal crosses were also significant and desirable for protein, tannin, and phytate values. Therefore, it is suggested that caution should be exercised when selecting male and female parents in hybrid production. Recurrent selection and reciprocal recurrent selection could be suitable breeding procedures for rapid improvement.

Vernonia galamensis is an excellent source of a seed oil rich in vernolic acid. However, the seeds of this plant exhibit a high lipase activity in the dormant state. The activity of this enzyme is apparent as vernonia oil will undergo lipolysis when the seeds are crushed prior to extraction. In this study, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) utilizing carbon dioxide has been examined as an alternative solvent, at different pressures, temperatures and cosolvent concentrations. The use of supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) as the extraction fluid under high temperatures and pressures has the potential to inhibit the lipolysis reaction during the extraction by reducing the activity of the enzyme, and hence the production of undesired fatty acids. Vernonia seeds were ground with dry ice prior to extraction to minimize any nascent lipase activity. Selective SFE was conducted at various pressures, temperatures, modifier concentrations, and total CO2 volume used to determine whether the vernolic acid content of the resultant extract could be enriched. An increase in pressure and temperature significantly increased the amount of extracted oil as well as the vernolic acid content. In addition, a significant reduction in the free fatty acid content of the oil from 69 to 8 mg/g oil was present with increasing extraction pressure. Exhaustive extraction of the oil could be attained via SFE with neat CO2 and with ethanol-modified CO2. However, regrinding the matrix after the initial extraction, followed by re-extraction of the seed matrix was necessary in these cases. The resultant oil and extracted meal were characterized with respect to free fatty acid, phospholipid, and percent protein contents.

This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of a massaging lumbar support system on low back muscle activity. The apparatus included a luxury-level automobile seat, six 10-mm diameter bipolar surface electrodes, an amplifier, an analog-to-digital conversion board, data acquisition software, and a personal computer. Six experimental conditions, each involving a variation of massage time, were considered. The dependent variable was the change in the root mean square variation of the EMG signal. One minute of lumbar massage every 5 min was found to have a beneficial effect on low back muscle activity (as compared to no massage). This may prove to be an extremely important result in the quest to combat low back pain attributable to automobile seating.

The soyfood industry prefers some soybean [( Glycine max L. (Merr.)] cultivars over others based on chemical constituents, physical traits, and processing quality of the seed. However, soybean cultivars possessing the combination of desirable agronomic traits and biochemical characteristics that enhance the quality of soyfoods have not been identified in the U.S. Thus, this research was conducted with the objective of determining yield, seed protein, and fatty acid composition of soybean genotypes selected for tofu production. Twelve soybean genotypes were planted in plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, Georgia during 1994 and 1995. Seed yield ranged from 1.6 to 3.0 metric tons/ha. The protein content varied between 314.2 and 480.7 g/kg seed. Both BARC-8 and BARC-9 had significantly higher protein content than other genotypes. These two genotypes also showed significant year by genotype interactions for some fatty acids. V71-370 had the highest oleic acid concentration and a high ratio (0.92) of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids. The concentration of linoleic and linolenic acids ranged from 406.5 to 531.0 and 37.1 to 63.0 g/kg oil, respectively. Seed yield was correlated with biomass, harvest index, and filled pods per m2. In this study, V71-370 was found to be relatively superior in oil quality with fatty acid composition desirable for human consumption. The significant variation for seed yield and biochemical characteristics observed among the few genotypes examined in this study indicates the potential for breeding high yielding soybean cultivars suitable for soyfoods. Therefore, there is a need for evaluation of soybean germplasm for agronomic traits that contribute to seed yield and biochemical characteristics including fatty acid profiles that enhance soyfood quality before initiating development of suitable cultivars for tofu.

Microwave heating of soybeans for 9 min decreased protein solubility from 80 to 17%, from 81 to 18%, and from 72 to 16% when deionized H2O, 0.6N NaCl and 0.4N CaCl2, were used as solvents, respectively. Experiments were conducted to determine ‘in vivo protein digestibility and metabolizable nitrogen using male Sprague-Dawley rats. The percentages of true digestibility were found to be 73, 84, 87 and 81 when the soybeans were microwave heated for 0, 9, 12 and 15 min, respectively. Microwave heating soybeans up to 15 min did not alter the fatty acids composition of the beans.

Petri dish bioassays were used to evaluate terminal foliage from 47 field-grown genotypes of vegetable-type soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, from maturity groups III through VIII, for resistance to corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), in 1993 and 1994. Larvae reared on “Sato”, IAC 100, V89-1301, V89-1563, and V88-100 had low mean weights, not significantly different from resistant controls. However, larval weights ranged from moderate to high on most vegetable-type soybeans. The most susceptible genotypes were “Geulph”, PI 561291, and “Rokusun”, followed by “Kanrich”, “Kura”, “Camp”, “Wolverine”, G2246, G4032, “Kim”, “Hahto”, PI 561294, N2962, and D71-V89. Mortality averaged 2.9% in 1993 and 13.5% in 1994, but was not generally useful in evaluating resistance within maturity groups. High percent mortality and low weights of larvae reared on both resistant and susceptible genotypes in maturity group VII/VIII in 1994 may have been related to the use of insect-damaged foliage. Soluble leaf sugar was determined in 1994 samples and ranged from 0.50% (PI 416868-B) to 1.04% (PI 561291) of dry weight. A small but significant positive correlation (r = 0.20, P = 0.009) was found between sugar content and larval weight in maturity groups III through VI. Exceptional low larval weights in maturity groups VII and VIII were not related to leaf sugar content.

Seeds from nine kenaf genotypes (Cubano, Everglades 41, Everglades 71, GR2563, Guatemala 48, Indian, 178-18RS-10, Tainung #1, and Tainung #2) were evaluated for oil, fatty acid, phospholipid, and sterol content. Oil content ranged from 21.4 to 26.4% with a mean of 23.7%. Total phospholipids ranged from 3.9 to 10.3% of the oil, with a mean of 6.0%. Mean sterol percent was 0.9 and ranged from 0.6% of the total oil for 178-18RS-10 accession to 1.2% for Everglades 71. Palmitic (20.1% of the total fatty acids), oleic (29.2%), and linoleic (45.9%) were the major fatty acids, and palmitoleic (1.6%), linolenic (0.7%), and stearic (3.5%) were the minor components. Medium (C12C14) and long (C22C24) chain fatty acids were less than 1%. Sphingomyelin (4.42% of the total phospholipids), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (12.8%), phosphatidyl choline (21.9%), phosphatidyl serine (2.9%), phosphatidyl inositol (2.7%), lysophosphatidyl choline (5.3%), phosphatidyl glycerol (8.9%), phosphatidic acid (4.9%), and cardiolipin (3.6%) were identified in the nine genotypes. Phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and phosphatidyl glycerol were the dominant phospholipids. In addition, eight unidentified phospholipids were also found, β-sitosterol (72.3% of the total sterols), campsterol (9.9%), and stigmasterol (6.07%) were prevalent among kenaf genotypes. Kenaf's relatively high oil content and its similarity to cottonseed oil suggest that the seed oil may be used as a source of edible oil. The variation among genotypes indicates potential for genetic improvement in oil yield and quality.

Field experiments were conducted to determine vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotype×environment interactions and to correlate the architectural traits and green pod yield and its components. Seventeen vegetable soybean genotypes from maturity groups IV, V, and VI were planted in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. The architectural traits, green pod yield, and its components were determined at R5, R6, and R7 growth stages. The stage of harvest was considered as main plot and genotype as sub-plot. Significant (P

Soybean and its isoflavones have been shown to have beneficial effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and on renal function. Probiotics may potentiate the beneficial effects of isoflavones by converting the inactive isoflavone glycoside to aglycones, which are biologically active, thereby producing a synergistic effect. We therefore studied the effects of soybean isoflavones in the presence and absence of probiotics on glucose and triglyceride metabolism and the peptide hormones involved in their metabolism. Lean and obese SHR/N-cp rats were fed AIN-93 diets containing 0.1% soybean isoflavone mixture, 0.1% probiotics mixture or both. Plasma was analyzed for glucose, triglycerides, parameters of renal function and peptide hormones -- insulin, leptin, glucagon and ACTH -- that are involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Isoflavones given alone lowered plasma glucose in both phenotypes while triglyceride was decreased only in lean animals. Isoflavones also lowered aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase in both phenotypes. Isoflavones had significant effect on plasma insulin, leptin and glucagon in lean rats but not in obese rats. Thus, our data show that in lean animals, isoflavones have hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect, and the effect is mediated by changes in peptide hormones. When lipid levels are very high as in obese rats, isoflavones fail to lower plasma triglyceride levels. Probiotics do not appear to enhance the effect of isoflavones.

Soy protein and flaxseed meal have been reported to have beneficial effects on many chronic diseases in humans and animals. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of soy protein and flaxseed meal on hypertriglyceridemia and liver steatosis associated with obesity and diabetes. We compared the effects of dietary soy protein and flaxseed meal with that of casein on plasma and liver lipids in a genetic model of obesity, type II diabetes and insulin resistance, namely the SHR/N-cp rat.Lean and obese phenotypes of SHR/-cp rats were fed AIN 93 diets containing 20% of energy from casein (control), soy protein concentrate or flaxseed meal for six months. Plasma was analyzed for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride and total protein. Liver was analyzed for steatosis by light microscopy after staining samples with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Oil-Red-O.In lean rats soy protein and flaxseed meal significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol (26.0% and 20.3% respectively) compared to casein. In obese rats flaxseed meal had significant cholesterol lowering effect compared to control rats (41%). Soy protein significantly lowered both plasma LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in lean phenotypes while in obese phenotypes flaxseed meal significantly lowered LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol compared to casein-fed rats. Flaxseed meal also significantly lowered plasma triglyceride in both lean and obese rats compared to casein fed rats (33.7% and 37% respectively). There was significantly greater fat accumulation in livers of obese rats than lean rats (200%) regardless of dietary protein type. Flaxseed meal significantly lowered fat deposition in livers of both lean and obese rats compared to rats fed casein or soy protein. Dietary component(s) present in flaxseed meal or soy protein responsible for hypolipidemic effects is not clear.The marked hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of flaxseed meal may have important therapeutic implications in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia and deserve further study in humans with these disorders. Flaxseed meal supplementation may provide a new therapeutic strategy to reduce hypertriglyceridemia and fatty liver.

The effect of dietary soy protein and flaxseed meal on metabolic parameters was studied in two animal models, F344 rats with normal lipid levels and obese SHR/N-cp rats with elevated levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. The rats were fed AIN 93 diet differing only in the source of protein. The rats were fed either 20% casein, 20% soy protein or 20% flaxseed meal. Plasma was analyzed for cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and total protein. In both strains of rats, flaxseed meal significantly decreased plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. The effect of soy protein on lipids was not as striking as that of flaxseed meal. Flaxseed meal also lowered uric acid in F344 rats and BUN in SHR/N-cp rats. Since cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disorders, our data show that both flaxseed meal and soy protein may have beneficial effects. Which chemical constituent(s) of flaxseed meal or soybean is (are) responsible for the beneficial effects need to be identified.

The effect of dietary fats with varying degree s of unsaturation in the presence of different concentrations of vitamin E on tissue lipid levels was studied in rats. Rats were fed either menhaden oil, olive oil or coconut oil at 15% level s with either 0.1, 0.3 or 0.6 mg/g of vitamin E as α-tocopherol for four weeks. Rat serum and liver were analyzed for total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipids. In addition, fatty acid composition of serum lipids was also analyzed. Serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol were significantly lower in rats fed menhaden oil than in those fed olive or coconut oil, while the HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in serum of rats fed menhaden and olive oil than in those fed coconut oil. Levels of vitamin E in the diet had only a significant effect on serum cholesterol and liver phospholipids. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant positive relationship between serum triacylglycerol and total cholesterol, and a negative correlation between triacylglycerol and HDL-cholesterol, and between total and HDL-cholesterol. In the liver, total cholesterol was significantly higher in rats fed coconut oil than in rats fed menhaden oil. Total liver phospholipids were lower in rats fed either coconut oil or olive oil compared to those fed menhaden oil, especially with higher levels of vitamin E intake. Higher levels of vitamin E in the diet appear to increase triacylglycerol and phospholipids in livers of rats fed menhaden oil. In the liver a significant negative correlation was observed between phospholipids and cholesterol. The type and degree of unsaturation (polyunsaturated fatty acids in menhaden oil, monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil and saturated fatty acids in coconut oil) significantly affected plasma and tissue lipids.

Ozone sensitivity, nutritional quality, seed characteristics, and growth habit of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated in two separate experiments. In the first experiment the data showed a significant variation among 34 bean accessions for ozone sensitivity following acute exposure of 18-day-old plants to 0.6 microliters/l O3 for 2 hours under environmentally controlled greenhouse conditions. PI-163579, PI-169735, PI-171790, PI-176684, PI-201374, PI-310711, PI-345576, PI-370569, PI-379435, and PI-414831 were identified as tolerant to acute ozone exposures. Protein, oil, starch, sugar, and ash contents in the seed of selected germplasm were determined and no correlation was found between these components and ozone sensitivity. Seed size and growth habit varied considerably among the 34 accessions but were not correlated to ozone sensitivity. In a second experiment, ten accessions, selected from the tolerant ones identified in the first experiment, were subjected to chronic ozone exposure in open-top chambers at 0.04 and 0.08 microliters/l concentrations for 7 hours/day 44 days after transplanting. Based on foliar injury and yield reductions, only PI-370569 and PI-414831 were tolerant to prolonged ozone exposure (0.08 microliters/l). A significant positive correlation (r = 0.83) existed between foliar injury rating from chronic treatments involving 0.04 and 0.08 microliters O3/l and acute exposure (0.6 microliter O3/l/2 hours). The data indicated that acute ozone exposure can be used to initially screen a large number of bean accessions, however, this is an imperfect indicator of ozone sensitivity with chronic exposure.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), grown under greenhouse conditions, was harvested at three growth stages and analyzed for total solids, total protein, ash, soluble carbohydrate, and fructose/fructane in whole plants, leaves, stems, and roots. Significant increases were observed in total solids and protein during plant maturation. Leaves had the highest amount of protein in the third growth stage (44.25g/100g dry matter). Roots showed a decline in protein level as the plant aged. Soluble carbohydrate was significantly higher in growth states 1 and 3. Significant variation among growth stages was found with regard to total phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron, managanese, and copper. Total phosphorus (P) content in leaves was significantly higher than P found in stems and roots. Iron (Fe) content varied significantly among growth stages, and roots and leaves had the highest Fe content (121.47 and 33.21 mg, respectively). Significant accumulation of managanese (Mn) was found in different growth stages. Leaves and roots had significantly higher Mn content than stems.

Fifty six genotypes of grain-type soybean and 17 genotypes of vegetable-type soybean collections were analyzed for protein and oil content, trypsin inhibitor, and lipoxygenase activities. The protein and oil content ranged from 36.9 to 47.9% and from 13.3 to 23.0% for different accessions in grain- and vegetable-type soybeans, respectively. Trypsin inhibitor and lipoxygenase activities ranged from 22.0 to 47.0 trypsin inhibitor units/mg meal and from 482 to 6265 lipoxygenase units/min/mg meal for grain- and vegetable-type soybeans, respectively. Significant correlations (r = -0.62 and -0.52, P less than 0.05) were found between protein and oil, and between protein and trypsin inhibitor. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.42, P less than 0.05) was also calculated for oil and lipoxygenase activity. Several genotypes of soybean and vegetable soybean (plant introductions 423905, 417330, 417223, 171451, 200506, 200523, 417124, 227687, 203402, 445842, 203399, 423852, 416771, FC 31927, Avoyelles, and Sooty) showed good nutritional potential and may be useful in a breeding program to improve the nutritional quality of soybean. Screening for essential amino acids, fatty acids, and trace minerals for selected genotypes is underway.

The genetic variation in the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional factors of 17 vegetable soybean genotypes were determined and a wide variation in protein %, total phosphorus (TPi) and available phosphorus (AP) was found among these genotypes. Variations in Ca, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu were also documented. Variation was also found for trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity and Phytate (PA) content. A highly significant and negative correlation (r = -0.533, P less than 0.01) was observed between TI and total protein. Strong positive correlation (r = 0.90) was also found between TPi and AP. Several genotypes (Sooty, Emperor, Wilson-5, PI 416771, PI 417322) showed good nutritional potential and can be used in the breeding program. High protein %, TPi, and minerals are desirable qualities for vegetable-type soybeans that make it as food with high nutrient density. Studies on the nutritional evaluation of immature vegetable type soybean seeds at different reproductive stages are also underway.

In Asian countries and among the oriental populations in the United States, vegetable soybeans are consumed much the same way as green peas are consumed. A need exists for developing soybean cultivars adapted to the U.S. environments to take advantage of the economic potential of vegetable soybeans for both domestic and international markets. During 1997, 12 vegetable soybean genotypes of exotic origin and two local U.S. soybean cultivars were evaluated for their agronomic performance in a randomized complete block, with four replications, at the Agric. Res. Stn. FVSU, Ga. At the R6 stage (when the seeds are of full size and still immature), plants from a half-meter-row length were sampled from each plot to estimate green pod and seed yield, and determine the nutritional quality of green beans. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for the agronomic and biochemical parameters studied. The green seed yield ranged from 7.1 (cv. Ware) to 14.0 Mg·ha–1 (cv. Tanbagura). Three cultivars, Tomahamare, Mian Yan, and Tousan-122, produced green seed yields in excess of 12 Mg·ha–1. The number of green pods varied between 1518 (Tanbagura) and 3526/m2 (cv. Hutcheson). The green bean oil and protein contents, ranged from 53.1 to 105.4 and from 354.2 and 418.3 g·kg–1, respectively. Thus, the green seeds contained only 30% of oil, but 50% to 80% of protein normally found in mature soybean seed. The glucose content was between 4.1% and 7.0%, while the phytate content varied between 0.93% and 1.3%. T he green seed yield was significantly correlated with number of green pods, number of green seeds, and green pod weight. This study showed that some exotic vegetable soybean genotypes may be suitable for production in the southeastern U.S.

Thirty-five mint accessions were evaluated during 1993 for agronomic characteristics (leaf texture, color, and pubescence), plant vigor, cold hardiness, insect population interactions, and contents of essential oils, ash, and total protein. These accessions were obtained from National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, Oregon during 1992. The rhizomes were planted in the greenhouse on April 2, 1992 and transplanted to the field on May 29, 1992 as a randomized complete block design with three replications. The chemical composition data from whole plants indicated that ash content was dependent upon location from which an accession was collected, ploidy level (diploid vs. polyploid), type of mint (peppermint vs. spearmint), and genetics (hybrid vs. non-hybrid). Diploid accessions had significantly higher essential oil content. The protein content was higher in peppermint types than spearmint types. The hybrid accessions had lower protein content in comparison to non-hybrids.

Two hundred grams of soybean seeds (moisture contents of 7.4, 15.3, 22.5, and 30.5%) were irradiated at dose levels of 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 KGy using Cobalt-60 source. Radiation dose of 100 KGy caused a decrease in the percentage of nitrogen solubility from 80.3 to 67.2, 80.3 to 57.8, and 68.1 to 48.8 when deionized H2O, 0.6M NaCl, and 0.2M Cacl2 were used as solvents, respectively. Inhibition of 71% of lipoxygenase activities, 25.4% trypsin inhibitor activities, and 16.7% chymotrypsin inhibitor activities were found when the soybean seeds were irradiated at 100 KGy.

The chemical properties of nonprotein trypsin inhibitor (NPTI) and nonprotein chymotrypsin inhibitor (NPCTI) in the soybean were studied. NPTI was extracted with 50% methanol and treated with TCA to a final concentration of 16% (W/V). Two dimensional thin-layer chromatography was used to make a peptide map of the methanol extract; 14 spots were observed. To distinguish the active peptides, the sample was mixed with trypsin or chymotrypsin; some peptides disappeared which formed complexes with the enzyme. The relative rate of inhibition indicated that inhibition was stoichiometric for trypsin and chymotrypsin. Dissociation constants of complexes (enzyme and inhibitor) showed that inhibition of chymotrypsin and trypsin were competitive and uncompetitive, respectively.

The total trypsin inhibitor was determined in extracts of 11 cultivars of soybeans and 11 strains of winged beans. The proteins in the extracts were precipitated by 16% trichloroacetic acid (w/v), and nonprotein trypsin inhibitor activities were determined in the protein-free supernatants. The nonprotein trypsin inhibitor activities varied between 10.32 ± 1.39 and 24.41 ± 1.04 units/mg defatted soybean samples and in winged beans ranged between 2.65 ± 0.62 and 6.79 ± 0.27 units/mg defatted samples. The nonprotein trypsin inhibitor composed 27–55% of the total trypsin inhibitor activity in the soybeans, and 5–14% of the total activity in winged beans.