Bran Flakes Research Articles

Broadcast Aerial Release of an Egg Parasite for Lepidopterous Insect Control

ABSTRACT A conventional dry materials dispersal system on an agricultural aircraft was modified for broadcast release of parasitized host insect eggs attached to wheat bran flakes. The modified system was calibrated for low rates of bran application, and bran distribution patterns were determined. Field trials were conducted to evaluate the equipment performance and to determine the sup-pression of Heliothis populations in cotton by aerial release of the parasite wasp, Trichogramma pretoisum Riley. Average Heliothis egg parasitism in treated plots increased dramatically after the aerial parasite releases.

TEXTURE AND CRYSTALLIZATION CONTROL IN RAISINS

ABSTRACTUpon protracted storage of raisins a crystalline material can develop on their surface, especially at higher moisture levels. A method of controlling this formation was developed, which consisted of subjecting the raisins to a mild heat‐treatment. This heat‐treatment procedure also had a tenderizing effect on raisins, making them noticably softer. Other factors were studied that affected raisin texture during storage with bran‐flakes. Raisin desiccation rate was found to be affected by storage temperature, pressure and coatings. Paraffin coating had the most pronounced effect. Protein coatings of solubilized soy protein or egg albumen followed by heat‐denaturation also significantly reduced moisture loss from raisins stored with bran flakes.

NUTRITIONAL PEST CONTROL: THE “SELF-PROTECTION” OF FOODSTUFFS AGAINSTTRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM(COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) OFTEN PRESUMABLY THROUGH NUTRITIONAL FACTORS

AbstractIn feeding tests with 20 different dry foodstuffs, some, usually those of high carbohydrate content, permittedTribolium confusumjacquelin du Val to survive and develop reasonably well. Differences between the sugar content of Sugar Pops and Corn Flakes were probably the reason for better growth on the former than on the latter. Moreover, raisins and bran, i.e. Raisin Bran, was a better food than Bran Flakes. The hygroscopic properties of dehydrated peaches and of pineapple juice soon rendered them unfit as food forT.confusum. It is apparent that though some modern dry foodstuffs that lend themselves well as stored products may be highly susceptible to insect attack, others seem to be “self-protected” from serious insect infestation. This suggests that stored food products might be packaged and handled selectively according to their susceptibility rating and so result in obvious economies in their handling.

Note on Control of the European Earwig, Forficula auricularia L., in Newfoundland With Traps and Attractants

In a test at St. John's from 20 August to 9 September 1964, grooved-board traps captured more specimens of the Eluropean earwig, Forficula auricularia L., than pitfall traps containing attractants. On 19 August two replicates of one grooved-board and eight Legner traps (Fig. 1) containing bran flakes plus an attractant were set up on a city lot. The Legner traps were set in the soil so that their tops were level with the surface. They were protected from rain by a 12 in. × 12 in. board held in position over the opening by short legs at the four corners. The attractants used were: peanut butter, cod oil, sugar, molasses, honey and macerated earwigs. The traps were attended from 21 August to 9 September and all earwigs removed daily and counted in the laboratory.

Distribution of Manganese in Foods

The manganese content of 83 representative food materials is given. The concentrations range from 0.028 mg. per liter of milk to 49.9 mg. per kilo. of bran flakes. Thirty-six of the materials contained less than 1 mg., twenty-five from 1 to 5 mg., and only twenty-two more than 5 mg. per kilo. of fresh material. Arranged in descending order with respect to their manganese content, 12 classes of foods, representing 138 food materials, appear as follows: nuts; cereals and their products; dried legume seeds; green leafy vegetables; dried fruits; roots, tubers, and stalks; fresh fruits; non-leafy vegetables; animal tissue; poultry and poultry products; dairy products; and fish and sea foods. Marked variations in manganese content were found among the several members of a given group. In typical American diets cereals and their products contribute the largest proportion of the manganese intake.