Elsewhere in ag utilization

By Dan Lemke
CARTOONS ©UNCLE HYGGLY / POUNCE.COM
Editors note: As a service to our readers, we provide news about the work of others in the ag utilization arena. Often, research done elsewhere complements AURI’s work. Please note that ARS is the USDA’s research arm.

A little mustard on your pests?

Got crop pest problems? Spread a little mustard on them - the plant, not the condiment. Washington state ARS scientists are growing cultivated mustard and other Brassica-species stands as possible alternatives to using field chemicals on nematodes, weed seeds and other soilborne pests.

Researchers believe a chemical byproduct given off when the plant decomposes makes the soil toxic to nearby pests.

From: USDA ARS, October 12, 2004
 

A ‘tuff’ bed liner

Soybeans are helping truck owners protect their investments. Urethane Soy Systems of Illinois is marketing a spray-in truck bed liner containing soy-based plastics.

The Bio Tuff spray-in system uses SoyOyl™ polyols developed and produced at the South Dakota Soybean Processors facility in Volga, S.D. Bio Tuff has been tested and meets ASTM standards for truck-bed liners, plus it compares favorably with petrochemical-based liners in strength and durability tests. It is 20 percent soy-based.

From: Biobased Solutions, September 2004
 

Fishy olive oil

A Spanish nutrition company has launched an olive-oil-based product enriched with fish oil and antioxidants. Marketed as both a finished product and ingredient, the blend gives olive oil a nearly ideal blend of fatty acids.

The patented formula was based on evidence showing the health benefits of a traditional Mediterranean diet, which is typically high in plant foods and fish, with virgin olive oil as the primary fat source. The fish oil adds heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and natural antioxidants which help to stabilize the oil. Mediterranean people enjoy some of the world’s longest life expectancies and lowest mortality rates from heart disease.

From: Foodnavigator.com, October 22, 2004
 

Onions make cancer cry

Strong-flavored onions may not do much for your breath, but they may do wonders for your health. Researchers at Cornell University found certain strong varieties of onions, including Western Yellow, New York Bold and Northern Red were successful in inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells. Milder-tasting onions showed relatively little cancer-fighting ability.  

Onions are rich in a flavor compound called quercetin, a potent antioxidant found in apples, red berries and some vegetables, which has been linked to protection against cataracts, heart disease and cancer.

From: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, November 3, 2004
 

More bones about it

New research on monkeys suggests that a diet high in soy could be good for the hearts and bones of pre-menopausal women. Studies conducted at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center suggest natural estrogens in soybeans may be effective in improving cholesterol and bone density.

Research showed monkeys that were fed a soy-based diet had improved cholesterol levels compared to those fed a diet of milk and animal protein. Also, soy-fed monkeys increased bone mass more than those that didn’t eat soy.

From: Soyatech.com, October 11, 2004
 

Hola, canola

Food makers looking to remove artery-clogging trans fats from their formulation will be able to use a new canola oil formulated from seeds with a low saturated-fat content. Developed by Dow AgroSciences, the Natreon canola oil is a naturally-stable alternative to hydrogenated oil, a process that raises trans fatty acid levels. Research has shown trans fats raise bad cholesterol.

From: Foodnavigator.com, October 22, 2004
 

Lady Liberty loves soy

Tourists visiting New York’s Statue of Liberty will be riding high on soy oil. The National Park Service has begun using soybean-oil-based hydraulic fluid to operate elevators in the 151-foot tall landmark. The lifts had used petroleum oil, but ARS scientists were asked to develop a biodegradable, nonpolluting, economical alternative from a renewable resource - meeting industrial safety and performance standards. Tests show the soy-based hydraulic fluid works as well or better than the mineral-oil products in lubricity, biodegradability and reduced flammability.

From:  USDA ARS, October 19, 2004
 

New drink targets malnutrition

A new, highly-fortified, meal-supplement beverage is being lauded as a tool for improving nutrition among at-risk children and adults in developing countries. The Nutri Sip brand drink, launched in South Africa, has been shown to significantly improve the health of school children in a 12-school study.

Loaded with pre-cooked maize, soy isolates and dairy ingredients, the drink was formulated to address nutritional deficiencies in target populations. Research in South Africa showed precisely-formulated, functional foods delivered real health benefits to children and provided a better value for money that governments and other aid donors invest in school-nutrition programs.

From: Soyatech, November 1, 2004